Memoir
/ˈmemˌwär/ noun. a record of events written by a person having intimate knowledge of them and based on personal observation. Usually memoirs. an account of one's personal life and experiences; autobiography. the published record of the proceedings of a group or organization, as of a learned society.
Can you believe we have less than ten Memoir Monday prompts left? We’ve been at this for close to a year now. I sometimes think about how different my life might be if I was born to a different set of parents. I’m so thankful to have been born at the exact time and place I was. My Mom is, without a doubt, one of the best people I know and through her example she’s helped to guide my brother and I throughout our lives. She’s undoubtedly one of my best friends and most trusted confidants.
Memoir Monday has grown so much that I won’t be able to comment on everyone’s posts anymore (and get my own work done) but I’ll still be supporting your posts with reblogs, votes, and shares on my other social media accounts (X, Facebook, etc.).
For all of those who’ve regularly participated in Memoir Monday - keep going, you’re making great progress in chronicling your very own life story for future generations to enjoy.
For those who missed the inaugural post explaining what the Memoir Monday initiative is all about you can find it here.
Now for next week’s Memoir Monday prompt:
What is one of your favorite memories of your mother?
My answer:
Where do I begin? It’s hard to pick just one “favorite” memory of my mom because she’s been such a constant source of love, support, and friendship throughout my life. She’s not just my mom—she’s been one of my best friends, always kind, nonjudgmental, and unwavering in her encouragement.
During my childhood, my mom was a stay-at-home parent, which gave us invaluable time together in those formative years. My preschool days were filled with reading, playing, and endless conversations with her, and I truly believe those moments gave me a solid head start in life. She’s patient, selfless, smart, and the best listener I know.
Mom sent me this text message on the night before my fifty-second birthday. It was so touching to me that I've kept it in my phone ever since. I'm including it here in my memoir so it doesn't get lost to time. This message does a good job of illustrating what kind of person my Mom is:
"I hope you sleep well Eric! At this time 52 years ago I was in the hospital walking. Trying to get my labor to start. Dad and I walked for a long time. Finally they told me to lay down and try and rest. And I’m just a few short hours you made your appearance! All of the nurses were amazed at how much hair you had. It was wonderful to finally get to see and hold you! You are such an amazing human being! I am so proud of you. Dad was too! You are a wonderful son!! Except the time you hid behind the door in the living room and scared me so bad because I couldn’t find you! Sweet dreams Eric! I love you!!"
I wish we had more photos together from my childhood but in looking back I realized that often she was often the one behind the camera taking the pictures.
If I was forced to choose one favorite memory, it would be the summer of 1990 when we planted a garden together in the backyard of my childhood home at 586 Elizabeth Ave in Columbus. The garden, about 10’ x 20’, was a labor of love. Together, we tilled the soil and planted broccoli, carrots, zucchini, cauliflower, corn, and tomatoes—harvesting far more than we could ever eat. Working in that garden taught us both so much, and it marked a turning point for me. That summer, I began to mature and started to figure out what I wanted to do with my life.
Even after I moved away from Ohio in 1995, my mom and I have remained incredibly close. Over the past ten years, as my writing career flourished, it’s been one of my greatest joys to give back to her in small ways and spoil her a little. When it comes to parents, I realize I hit the jackpot.
One of the greatest gifts my mom and dad gave my brother and me was the freedom to explore our dreams. They never imposed their own aspirations or beliefs on us, and that autonomy has profoundly shaped who we are today. I carry that gift with me always, as a reminder of the love and trust they placed in us.
Throughout my life my Mom has been my teacher, therapist, and a disciplinarian when she’s had to be. I owe a large part of not only my success but many of my joys in life to my Mom. The greatest lesson she’s imparted in me is to try my best to always view life from the lens of kindness, joy, gratitude, and optimism.
Growing weary of the ads and divisiveness on mainstream social media? If so, why not try Hive? Click on this link to sign-up and join our growing global community.
Let’s Keep In Touch
The message your mother sent you brought a lump to my throat!!!! It is a treasure. Keep it and read it whenever you need it. For my part, thank God, I am also thankful for the parents I had. Dad is already gone to another plane, but Mom is still by my side, filling my life with love and energy. I always say that I would have liked to be my mother's mother, to give her a lot of love, because I know she didn't have it; maybe that's why it's hard for her to be weak: she had a terrible childhood. It will be an honor to talk about her and I already know what my most memorable moment with her is. This topic you chose is very beautiful and heartfelt: very touching posts are sure to come out. I embrace you
It did the same for me when I read it! I'm glad you still have your Mom. The roles really do reverse in some ways and we get to take care of them. In that respect you can give her some of the childhood she never got to experience. It was that way for my Dad. He grew up in foster homes so he experienced his own childhood for the first time through my brother and I. I can't wait to read your post! Have a wonderful rest of your week my friend.
I wish I could meet your Mom, almost feels like I know her from the many times you've spoken of her!
I love the letter your Mom wrote, very touching, and also has a touch of humour!
That had me chuckling in between wiping away a few tears! ever the sentimentalist am I.
Lovely memories of the vegetable garden! I can imagine how difficult it must have been to pick just one when there are so many good memories!
I wish you could meet her too. I have a feeling you two would become friends. Being the mother of two boys we were always pulling pranks on her. I remember once she fell asleep on the couch and it was about 7pm in the evening and it was winter so it was pitch black. My brother and I changed all the clocks to 2am and turned off all the lights then woke her up. We could be pretty imaginative with our pranks. Lol.
That was a great summer. We did a lot of landscaping in the yard too. I built a retaining wall and we planted a ton of perennials. So many great memories!
Haha, shame on you and your brother Eric! I can just imagine the two of you giggling and waiting for your Mom's reaction😂
This is what I love about Memoir Monday, all the memories that come flooding back, and are stored here.
I believe we could become very good friends!
It was all harmless but I'm sure we kept her on her toes! Lol. Revisiting the memories have been great and I'm also glad they'll be here on the blockchain for future ancestors to read.
I really have good memories of mother. She was a strong woman and a disciplinarian. She really loved her children and sacrificed everything she had to train us
I can't wait to read it!
Those are some great memories! My mom was a stay at home mom too, so I know very well all the quality time I got during the summers with her. We used to do quite a bit with her mom and my sister, so it was three girls and me being dragged around to stores and all over town. Probably not my favorite parts of the summer, but they are still some really good memories.
We were lucky! It was already rare back then to have a parent home. I can imagine the younger you was bored doing all that shopping but I'm glad you got some good memories out of it!
Yes, it was much better. Even my wife got to have that as her mom was a teacher, so she worked, but was still off with them during the summer.
That's awesome. I think we were one of the only families on our block where one parent stayed home.
What beautiful words your mother wrote to you, you can see that she formed you with great family values, and loves you very much, beautiful your mother, God bless her, greetings friend, excellent topic to write about.
Thank you! Yes, she's a wonderful Mom.
Cada tema que propones es de una calidad extrema, pero este es de una sensibilidad muy grande.
Tengo mi madre hecha estrella en el cielo porque hace 6 años la perdí, pero, conservo todos sus recuerdos en mi corazón.
Me alegra que haya elegido un tema como este. Eso habla de su gran corazón y personalidad. Feliz jornada. Salud y saludos.
Gracias, amigo. Esta iniciativa de Memoir Monday ha sido lo más divertido y gratificante que he hecho en la cadena de bloques. ¡Estoy deseando leer sobre tu madre!
What a beautiful tribute to your Mother, her text made me smile, I see why you hold it dear.
I love your story of gardening together, nothing brings you closer than growing and cooking your food.
#hive #posh
Ghostbumps!! that's what happened when I read your mother messages to you.. Oh my goodness, it's so wonderful!Her love is eternal for you.
I wish my mom could remember my birthday because she delivered 10 (9 alive) children and has no time to remember the birthday, since birthday is not something we celebrate in our family. I'll leave to create a memoir monday now!
Thank you for this week's topic. Being able to save these memories of my mother in these memoirs is very pleasant. I was excited to write.
Here is my entry.
https://peakd.com/hive-106316/@charjaim/my-mother-my-confidant
El tema de está semana me llena de regocijo y satisfacción, ya que mi madre es mi guia, mi luz, mi amor infinito.
Muchas gracias a ericvancewalton por su propuesta, será un placer compartir con todos los hivers de silver bloggers.
Your mom is beautiful, show her all the time how much you love her. Mothers never stop watching our children, I also call my son to find out if he went to work, if he went to church or if he is okay. I may be a possessive mother, I know, but we feel better when we hear our son's voice say that everything is okay. Kisses to your beautiful mother.