My mother and I never dressed alike on purpose. Yet here we are in 1988 wearing these fruh fruh dresses with--are they butterflies? We bought the dresses separately without the other knowing. She and Dad came to dinner and voila, a Kodak moment.At church yesterday, I was surprised by real emotion when the Primary children sang "Mother, I love you, Mother I do; Father in Heaven has sent me to you . . ." My sisters and I sang that to Mother every Mother's Day, our arms entwined around each other like the Lennon Sisters. We sang in our strong alto voices with ironically sincere looks on our faces. My mother smirked.
The Dutch language has no direct way to say, "I love you." "Ik heb je lief" is a light weight declaration of love. The Germans' "Ich liebe dich," punches it in.
It's like some Calvinist tradition that we Dutch sneer our love to each other.
Before yesterday, I'd never heard that song sung outside of our family. It reminded me how much I loved my mother and how much I miss her. Full on, no holds barred, wear the same dresses love.
And now I feel emotional. Lovely post, Louise.
ReplyDeleteI've seen this picture a few times, but never knew the story behind it. I wish I knew your mother. I wish I could have sat back and watched you and her interact.
ReplyDeleteI was emotional on Mother's Day, too. I am afraid I don't have many of those left with my sweet little mom. And I was sorry to not have spent any of the day with you.