My daughter gave my Mom back to me

Note: I found a post from an old blog I had. It is about my mother and a wonderful post my daughter wrote in her own blog.

My mother was more to me than I’d remembered. The last few years of caring for her separated me emotionally from her. When she passed I didn’t grieve. I didn’t know how to. The final years of nursing-care I gave her became more a burden than a relationship.
Then a miracle happened.

My daughter wrote a blog about her Amma (my mother). Mom’s strength, determination, wisdom, and love came flooding back.

In the early 1950’s she faced a future divorced with two children and a $90,000 debt. Her natural business know-how mixed with an incredible tenacity kept her resort business running.

She was one of the early independent women – not a feminist; she didn’t need such useless labels. She was a powerful force and had such a thorough knowledge of her business that, even in that day of businessMen, bank managers respected her. Despite her debt, she convinced Ferndale National Bank to loan her the money needed to keep her fledgling resort going.

Always aware of her customer’s needs, Mom was an innovator. Her Holiday Shore Resort boasted the only cottages directly on the beach. While other Birch Bay resorts were charging their customers for linens, pots and pans, and utensils, Mom had all that included at no charge. Then came a badminton court. Holiday Shore was the first resort to have TV sets. And in 1963 she put in a swimming pool and shuffleboard court.

When grey-sky days hit, she had three-legged races and treasure hunts for the renter’s children.

Holiday Shore Resort became so popular that people would call in January to reserve a summer cottage.

She helped put three children through college, insisting they get a college degree right after high-school so that life wouldn’t swallow up the chance.

She was a mother bear when it came to protecting her children. I’m sure some teachers (and even one bus driver) trembled at the mention of her name.

In the 1970’s she began selling cottages and other property, giving her and my adoptive father a retirement.

Her grandchildren were her jewels. She taught them how to serve from the right and take from the left, and how to face life with confidence.

Mom, I can miss you now; my daughter brought you back to me.