She Taught Me to Eat Artichokes! The title of this blog comes from a lovely keepsake book about friendship, written by Kay Shanley. However, it represents a much deeper meaning for me, and one that has withstood the test of time.
When I was 11 years old, my mother taught me how to eat artichokes. It may seem like a simple task for any parent to teach a child. But coming from a young single mother of two, stricken with Multiple Sclerosis, simple every day tasks were quite a battle.
I am not sure how my mother came to love artichokes, or how she learned to cook and eat them. But, I am glad that she passed this tradition on to me. I too, have taught my daughter to eat artichokes. And, every time I taste the sweet offerings of a leaf, I am reminded of the gentle spirit, beautiful smile, and eloquent words my mother offered to those around her.
Fourteen years ago on this day, I held my mother's hand as she passed away at the young age of 55. It seems only fitting, on the heels of this Veteran's Day, to pay tribute to my mother, a veteran of strength, character, charm, wit, positive spirit, goodness and mercy. She had a big heart and she taught me to eat artichokes. Thank-you Mom. I love you and miss you!
Thanks for sharing your remembrance of your mother. It's a fitting tribute to remember the small things in life that mean a lot.
Wow.
Very touching.
Not enough words to describe one's Mom, especially the good ones.
Melinda- this is one of those posts that should have had a tissue warning. And your post made me think of a few things I'd like to share with you... and the irony is my husband cook artichokes for dinner tonight.... First, I can't teach my daughter to eat them. She was about 6 or 7 and came into the kitchen as I was cooking dinner. She picked up the can and read it and looked at me with big tears rolling down her cheeks and said.. "I don't know what a baby Ar-ti-choke-ee is, but I sure am not eating its heart" She put the can down and left the kitchen. And although I have explained LOTS of times over the past 14 or years, she still won't touch them.
Second- I am so sorry for your loss. There just really seem to be no words that can express how sorry and seem at all enough sincere. I too, had a date with veterans day 10 years ago at my father's bedside in a hospital, yet I was spared grief as he is now a 10 year cancer survivor. I'm glad you shared a little about your mom with me. It seems to be that you inherited your mother's positive spirit. I can't imagine being without my mother, your strength seems amazing to me. God Bless.
Thanks for sharing a special memory, anytime is a perfect time for that. Artichoke is the weirdest vegetable, but it's ohh so good.
Thank-you Vickie & Ralph :)
Tammy ~ I laughed and cried when I read your comments. Sounds like you have a story of your own for another post on the subject. It's been 14 years since I said my goodbyes to my mother, but it still feels like yesterday. Thank you for your heart-felt, kind words. It means a great deal to me. Maybe you should buy your daughter the book, it might change her mind about eating artichokes :)
Alix ~ I love eating them with mayonnaise and/or warm melted butter. Yumm!
Melinda:
Thank you for sharing. It's rare to find such a authentic and meaningful post on AR... sometimes if feels like people just blog a bunch of stuff to rack up the points.... I have wet eyes after reading your post. Extremely touching.
I think we all have some kind of opportunity in our life to experience loss or the sickness of a loved one. For me, it is my mother as well. She has Parkinson's and for the longest time I was angry and in denial. However, about a year ago something shifted and I realized that her illness had created an opening in my heart, that is now filled with a compassion and allows me to connect and love her more than I ever thought possible. Every moment we spend together is precious. I am so lucky she is my mom, from the outside looking in she might have a debilitating disease, but for those of us lucky enough to know her, she is an Angle sent here by God who is teaching us to know our hearts true potential
Vanessa
Vanessa ~ Thanks so much for sharing your own story. Parkinsons is much like MS in that you watch your loved one deteriorate over time. I wouldn't wish either disease on my worst enemy. But, you are right, our most difficult moments become opportunities to shine. Compassion is something that springs forth from the soul. We are blessed to have it, and share it with others :)
This is a beautiful post, Melinda. Your mother looks beautiful in that picture and I think I can see the resemblance.
She was so young. What a nice remembrance of her. Sounds like you have some great memories that you can share with your kids.
Thank you Ladies! My mother was a wonderful person who could always make you smile :)
Mel:
What a touching story. I am so sorry you lost your mother at such an early age. My sister had MS. She was 22 when she was diagnosed with the disease and she died at 30. Her passing was a shock to my parents and to her two sisters. We have never gotten over her death. MS is such an awful disease which takes the live of people far too soon.
Mel,
What a beautiful story...I don't recall if anyone actually taught me to eat artichokes, or I just watched my parents or grandparents do it...I have fond memories of fresh artichokes with pasta with my mother and friends in Rome, in an outdoor/indoor market there, and we had a lovely cat who loved sharing the artichoke hearts with us. It is a perfect vegetable that stays warm to the very end. Hugs, A