No mother was more dedicated to the betterment of her two children than my mother. Every decision, every choice,
every move she made, she had her kids in mind. She was one of the most selfless people I ever saw, and
fortunately, she was my mother.
Mom was very courageous. Like many others of her generation, she grew up in extreme poverty. I won't go into details on
this, I'm sure you've heard them before about growing up in the depression... She and my dad lifted
themselves and the family out of poverty with determination and hard work. By the time she retired,
Mom was a vice president for New York Life. She was a graduate of Baruch College (late 1940s) at a time when not too many women were
going to college. One could make a case for Mom being an OF (original feminist).
Mom was one of the bravest people I know. Unfortunately she became disabled the last 12 years of her
life, having to walk slowly with a walker. She tried her very hardest to rely on me as little as was possible,
instead of being a burden. Geez, mom was still walking to the stores at age 90! Her complaints were minimal in her sadly too-many trips
to the hospital and rehab centers the last few years.
I convinced Mom to get on the internet in about 2009. It was amusing to tell medical people at the time that
"oh, my mother will be paying online", or "you can send her those documents in email". They were incredulous
because at that time there were almost no 80-year olds doing things online. I can't count the number
of times some senior said to me "SHE'S ON THE INTERNET????"
I miss you mom, you were the greatest.