The strongest people in the universe

[ailbhe]

Tabhair dom do lámh Mammy, Linnea, and Nana

I look at this picture every so often, and I feel like I am part of the strongest chain of people in the universe. My daughter's Nana had in her turn a Nana so independent-minded and strong that she defied custom and culture where she lived in London to go home to Ireland, where she did it again to live the life she believed was right for herself and her children. As far back as folk memory goes, women were dealing with tragedy and crisis, wars and diseases that killed their husbands and their children, poverty and hunger and homelessness, and every single one has a funny story about her, something to show that she faced it all with courage and humour and the fierce love some mothers have for their children, putting them before everyone and everything else, so that they can be the very best people they can be.

It's a lot to live up to, but I'm going to have fun trying.

Comments

[barakta]

That is a lovely picture of the three of you.

My mum still fights for me in spirit as much as she fought for me when I was small. She fought for my right to be accepted as an independent person with feelings, and thoughts of my own. She gave me the tools with which to fight my own way, an example which I can take the best things from and develop my own way. I wouldn't have had the opportunities that I had, or be the person that I am without her.

[tiggsybabes.livejournal.com]

Good on you. My 2 grandmother's stories are the opposite as they were forced into situations they didn't want by their fathers. I'm coming from that angle & want to break the chain & do my own thing (own thing for myself & my family)

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

That is one of my favorite pictures in the history of family photos.

[sian-shoe.livejournal.com]

I feel the same- both my grandmother and mother are strong, wonderful people. I feel my part in the chain is a little weak, but like you I shall have fun trying.

I need to go give my Mother a hug now.

[rosefox]

My mother... well, I talk about my mother a lot, so you already know she's awesome. *)

Her mother was a professional painter and a Communist at a time when it wasn't terribly sensible to be either; but she followed her heart. Yesterday at the wedding, my uncle showed me the watch he was wearing. My grandmother bought it for my grandfather using money she had earned from selling her art. Their romance lasted fifty wonderful years and was the sort of thing songs are made about (albeit funny, wisecracking songs full of give-and-take and compromise as well as love and patience and kindness). She was a fierce, strong, loving woman, and I'm eternally glad I got to know her before she died.

Her mother is my namesake, Rosalie Fox. She was famous for getting the postman to deliver on Christmas Day and making trains return to the station so that she could get on board. From all reports she was also exceedingly generous and kind. Her origins are lost in the mists of time--she never even told anyone when her birthday was, so it was celebrated on Valentine's Day--but as best we can tell she was the daughter of a Polish nobleman and his mistress.

These three women are the reason I chose to take Fox as my last name. It's a lot to live up to, but I'm honored to be given the chance to try.

[kcobweb.livejournal.com]

Beautiful picture, beautiful words. (What does the Irish say? - I'm assuming it's Irish....)

I have a picture that was taken at a cousin's wedding 10 years ago: me, my mother and my (maternal) grandmother. I call it my Maiden/Mother/Crone picture.

[ailbhe]

Give me your hand. It's from a song about, well, facing things together, whatever they are.