I was raised by my grandmother, born 1895! When she read Mark Twain in high school he was still alive! She was a suffragette! She had 10 home births. She gave one son to world war II.
She dodged the pandemic when the family moved from Philadelphia to the death valley desert to mine soap (borax mines)
Philadelphia is widely considered the "ground zero" for the most devastating, rapid spread of the 1918 Spanish Flu in the United States. While the flu originated elsewhere, a massive war bond parade on September 28, 1918, caused it to spread like wildfire, resulting in ~12,000 deaths in just four weeks.Why Philadelphia was the Epicenter:The Parade: Against medical advice, the city held a Fourth Liberty Loan Parade, bringing 200,000 people together on Broad Street while the virus was already at the local Navy Yard.Rapid Surge: Within 72 hours of the parade, every bed in all 31 city hospitals was filled.Failed Response: City officials initially downplayed the danger, allowing the outbreak to accelerate, making it one of the deadliest epidemics in U.S. history
The deadliest of Trump's lies were a replay of this historic government disaster?
Very nice piece, Steven, though my own mother did not quite fit the mold.
I just saw this: Washington Post published an op ed on motherhood, with the byline (wait for it . . . ) Melania Trump. Jeff Bezos panders again. On one hand, this is incidental. On the other, it is a microcosm of the entire catastrophe.
Not all of us worship the ground beneath the feet of the female who birthed us. The histrionic narcissist who was my mother — only in terms of biology — caused so much damage to me, her firstborn of five and favorite scapegoat, that my life has been anything but normal.
She raised me to be an extreme people pleaser who always put everyone else’s needs over mine, which left me extremely vulnerable to abuse from malignant narcissist partners. And boy, did they find me.
I’m 71 now, and the female finally died three years ago, but the CPTSD is still so present that I’ll never be able to have a normal relationship with a man. I’ve resigned myself to that, but Mothers’ Day and similar social/cultural constructs do nothing but leave me drained and resentful.
Kindness, an open and caring heart, dedication, love and comfort. My mom died suddenly from a massive stroke in 2010, I wish I had one more chance to talk with her and give her a hug and tell her I love her. ❤️
My mother gave me life (not always appreciated 😏) & unconditional love. In her later hears from 96-101 years, as I was her sole caregiver, the best friendship anyone can live for. I lost her on March 11, 2026. My heart 💔has partially died.
Living Well is the Best Revenge was on my mother’s license plate. Your mother sounds like a wonderful inspiration as was my mother. She was Joyful, a great listener, a great friend, always curious, and an avid reader. We were so fortunate that she chose to turn hardships into empathy and love.
My mother gave me a heart for the disadvantaged and neglected. She grew up poor and never forgot the dignity of every person regardless of their social standing and her own improved financial status.
What a wonderful wonderful post ❤️
Great choice of Anne Dunham
She raised a lovely man
Best wishes to you
And thank you much
Let’s see- neglect emotional, verbal and physical abuse. Complex PTSD, bigotry, racism, capitalism, maga, Israel first. Shall I continue?
Please, go on!
I was raised by my grandmother, born 1895! When she read Mark Twain in high school he was still alive! She was a suffragette! She had 10 home births. She gave one son to world war II.
She dodged the pandemic when the family moved from Philadelphia to the death valley desert to mine soap (borax mines)
Philadelphia is widely considered the "ground zero" for the most devastating, rapid spread of the 1918 Spanish Flu in the United States. While the flu originated elsewhere, a massive war bond parade on September 28, 1918, caused it to spread like wildfire, resulting in ~12,000 deaths in just four weeks.Why Philadelphia was the Epicenter:The Parade: Against medical advice, the city held a Fourth Liberty Loan Parade, bringing 200,000 people together on Broad Street while the virus was already at the local Navy Yard.Rapid Surge: Within 72 hours of the parade, every bed in all 31 city hospitals was filled.Failed Response: City officials initially downplayed the danger, allowing the outbreak to accelerate, making it one of the deadliest epidemics in U.S. history
The deadliest of Trump's lies were a replay of this historic government disaster?
Really? lol
Me too. I hate Mother's Day.
Hugs
Hugs back!
Very nice piece, Steven, though my own mother did not quite fit the mold.
I just saw this: Washington Post published an op ed on motherhood, with the byline (wait for it . . . ) Melania Trump. Jeff Bezos panders again. On one hand, this is incidental. On the other, it is a microcosm of the entire catastrophe.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/05/08/melania-trump-mothers-are-america-strength/
Thx. And…yikes.
Grace and humility is something we need to see again in our presidents and all those who wish to serve the people. Thank you for the note!
So true
I agree with you 1000 per cent
Thank you
🙏
She gave me opportunities that she herself didn't have. Mothers are our foundation
Amen
Loving parents are a lasting gift.
The older I get, and the crazier the world gets, the more I appreciate it.
Not all of us worship the ground beneath the feet of the female who birthed us. The histrionic narcissist who was my mother — only in terms of biology — caused so much damage to me, her firstborn of five and favorite scapegoat, that my life has been anything but normal.
She raised me to be an extreme people pleaser who always put everyone else’s needs over mine, which left me extremely vulnerable to abuse from malignant narcissist partners. And boy, did they find me.
I’m 71 now, and the female finally died three years ago, but the CPTSD is still so present that I’ll never be able to have a normal relationship with a man. I’ve resigned myself to that, but Mothers’ Day and similar social/cultural constructs do nothing but leave me drained and resentful.
I'm really sorry. My mother was also awful. Not every mother is wonderful, or even benign.
Kindness, an open and caring heart, dedication, love and comfort. My mom died suddenly from a massive stroke in 2010, I wish I had one more chance to talk with her and give her a hug and tell her I love her. ❤️
My mother gave me life (not always appreciated 😏) & unconditional love. In her later hears from 96-101 years, as I was her sole caregiver, the best friendship anyone can live for. I lost her on March 11, 2026. My heart 💔has partially died.
My mother instilled a sense of fairness, and an appreciation for those who march to a different beat.
This is the easiest comment yet
My mom gave me total unrequited love
She was always completely supportive, no matter what
She survived:
The Holocaust
Moving to a strange country all alone with just her husband and a three year-old child
Poverty, yet there was always enough food and money for clothing
She thrived and lived to see her three daughters, seven grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren (now 13)
She spent 59 years with her husband and together they got to travel and go see their family in Israel
If living well is the best revenge
My mom lived life to the fullest!
She will always be in our hearts
Happy Mother’s Day to you all
Living Well is the Best Revenge was on my mother’s license plate. Your mother sounds like a wonderful inspiration as was my mother. She was Joyful, a great listener, a great friend, always curious, and an avid reader. We were so fortunate that she chose to turn hardships into empathy and love.
My mother gave me a heart for the disadvantaged and neglected. She grew up poor and never forgot the dignity of every person regardless of their social standing and her own improved financial status.
A profound, sensitive and inspiring piece. Thank you!
And I too reflect this Mother's Day on how Mothers are the difference that make us all better people.
All the women in my life have given so much
https://albellenchia.substack.com/p/better-angels
With my dad the opportunity to be, to live this life fully, to enjoy this gift from them to me
To say and mean please and thank you. Write thoughtful, personal thank you notes
Allow others to share memories and experiences; treasure as they do what you hear
Remember how fortunate you are and never forget that many are less so. Assist them
Try everything fearlessly: do not think in terms of someday – the ride is fast – enjoy it
Learn something of value from every experience, every person you meet, on every day
Show respect and kindness for others, especially elderly and disabled people and pets
Do not be a bystander: act for what is right and for and with others who do the same
Share a hug or a smile at every opportunity: they are free and the supply is limitless
Enjoy a thunderstorm; bask in the warmth of the sun; share and teach human kindness
Tikkun Olam: reuse, repair, recycle, repurpose. The world also is for those yet unborn
Read. Ask questions. Learn. Never surrender the sense of wonder that is within us.
Tzedakah: how the delights of giving and receiving are essential, inseparable twins
Teach and create opportunities for, then to let my children fly solo: no greater gift exists
Respect your parents: their timelines and yours intersect briefly. Enjoy and love them