Big brother Rick, your humble correspondent and Mom, Southampton Beach Long Island, 1950's.
Mothers are complicated. And they don’t get less so, for having gone to that great mudroom in the sky.
So Happy Mother’s Day, Mom. Thanks for leading me on my career path, thanks for the sense of humor and love of nature. Thanks for Sunday rides and New England vacations.
Mother's Day 1955, Three Village Inn, Stony Brook Long Island. Bruce aka BooBoo age 4, Bill at 13, me at 8, Mom was 35, and Rick at 10.
Mom: Laughed when she scooped up a big volume of dog kibble from the bag in the mudroom, only to discover a wee mousie having its breakfast.
Mom: Had been an All-City swim star in high school. Allowed each of her 4 kids to “ride” her shoulders out into the Atlantic, at Jones Beach, as far as we dared. Which was awfully far.
Mom: Let me have anything from each of her consignment shops I wanted. I had 15 shantung silk shirtwaist dresses when I was in 7th grade. (I assume I was considered somewhat odd by my peers.) I know because she went up and counted, when I insisted I didn’t have a thing to wear.
Mom: After her divorce from my artist father, decorated our stark modern home with curtains that had giant purple swans on them (which, of course, came in to the shop) and chenille recliners.
2nd Pin Money Shop location, Babylon Long Island NY, 1959. Yes, I used the same tag line for my shop (Mom said I could!) and yes, the sign is spelled wrong.
Mom: Bought casserole dishes. Lots of them. Always said they were for the daughters-in-law, but she never gave them to them. She kept them for herself, even long after she was an empty-nester and didn’t cook. Sent me a postcard once from the Campbell Soup Museum, entranced with the tureens.
Mom: Sold my wedding gown in her shop, while I was still on my HONEYMOON! She’s darn lucky I divorced the drip two years later.
Mom: Told me the world didn’t owe me a living. Must be why I overdo.
Mom: Said if people were true believers they wouldn’t mourn the death of a loved one, but celebrate it, since the deceased was now with his/her Maker. Insisted on a smiling angel, not a tombstone. Ya got it, Mom.
[…] Here’s whence I sprang, mother- and consignment-shop-wise. […]
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[…] Is it because the kids are back in school, and their mothers have a moment to sit down and figure out what they want to do career-wise, and resale can be a good match for families? […]
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[…] for having me. If you like, you can read a little bit about my mother’s life as a mother here and her life as a consignment shop owner in the 1950′s […]
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Ok Kate,
Now you’ve got me crying. Thanks for posting and letting me touch in to the great love for mom. Just hope nobody walks in to the store right now.
Our mom’s had a lot in common. They both had consignment stores in Long Island, both had 4 kids, my mom was a swim coach and a competitive swimmer and diver when younger.
Thanks so much for sharing so much of yourself. Have a great weekend! To great mother’s that have been, are and will be!
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That was beautiful Kate. I am having a sleepless night and this now has me weepy but smiling.
What a gift your Mother must have been.
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Kate,
Such a beautiful and fun tribute. I think you should write your autobiography. I bet you have lots of great stories. Love the pictures.
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This is the most touching Mother’s Day tribute I’ve read. Thank you, Kate.
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