I lay there, gutted by memories of my own. Memories of my own mother in law, who was one of the kindest, most loving, faithful, and hardest working women on this earth, who I am forever grateful was one half of the magnificent pair of souls who raised my husband. Today, I am missing my mother in law fiercely. Everything changed in the family after she died, the bonds loosened, she had been the glue. I am no longer mourning how things settled out, I am at peace with what is, knowing I can love from afar, send prayers over the water, and let it be. Still, I miss how we all were when our Nana was alive.
Most of all, I miss her visits to New York to shop wholesale for her store, and the bags and bags of clothes in our living room, as night after night, Mom folded and packed, folded and packed, the children flattening the billowy plastic dress covers into neat piles, all of us talking, laughing, watching TV, telling lively stories, always, always the stories. She was so careful not to intrude on our parenting choices. She never once instructed how we should raise or discipline our kids. I knew it was a conscious decision on her part, and I was grateful to her for it. And when my own children become parents, I hope I will remember her example, and the freedom and ease it allowed in our relationship. I pray my children will be as lucky in their in laws as I have been. I had the very best.
And your children will also have the very best.
ReplyDeleteI have been so lucky in that my daughters and their husbands are absolutely marvelous parents- I have no reason to step in and interfere. And I truly only know what worked and didn't work with my own children and none of that for sure and each of them were different so who would I be to tell them how to raise their children? They often ask advice and I am surprised at how often I simply say, "I have no idea."
It's a real Blessing to have good inlaws. I did too.
ReplyDeleteI have a wonderful mother-in-law too, and like yours and mine I try hard not to judge or interfere in my daughter's and her husband's parenting choices. After all, she doesn't judge my grand-parenting skills, and I'm quite sure I'm not doing all of that perfectly either!
ReplyDeleteYou are so cool. Nothing more to say.
ReplyDeleteI had the opposite family experience. You are very lucky and your MIL very astute.
ReplyDeleteOh we have been so very lucky!! Thank you for writing about your lovely mother-in-law.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful essay.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read you, I am always struck by the wealth of love in your family - in yourself. It's lovely to see.
ReplyDeleteSuch a heartfelt tribute. Sometimes I go searching for the lost loved ones certain that they are somewhere to be found.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful memories! It's a blessing to have a good relationship with the in-laws. Like Liv, I too am also struck by the abundance of love in your family -- love celebrated and visibly, abundantly shared. You are so fortunate.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, beautiful post. We should honour those who have made a positive contribution to our lives.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
I am so sorry I've been absent from your blog, but what a post to come back to! It was so beautiful from beginning to end and written in your inimitable way. Honestly, Angella, your words literally radiate, like the people in the photos, the loved ones you share with us. I imagine you all reflect off of one another -- so much light.
ReplyDeleteYour words seem toalways move me
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