My mother died yesterday. I was fortunate enough to be able to speak with her on the phone a few hours before she passed away. The essence of what we spoke about is encapsulated in these reflections.
I'M HER SON
Lieutenant Recharda Benson WWII U.S. Army Nurse
That's why I love you
That's why I want you to be free
That's why I hate the sadists
That's why I'm a democrat
That's why I'm sympathetic with the poor
That's why I want kindness to replace hatred
That's why I don't care about riches
That's why I care about animals' welfare
That's why I go for the underdog
That's why I love the vivacity wild things exhibit
In short
My mom's the reason I care
In short
she's the reason I'm focussed on elan
not tied down to property and status
She's the reason
I've declared war on cruelty
ever since I was born
And why I think
It's nobody's business but my own
if I ride tear-filled waves of grief today
Recharda with her sisters and a friend late 1930s
My mom and I Christmas, 1949
My dad and I in the same place, 1949
Me, my mom, Bruce and Grandma Benson late 50s San Diego train station
My step-dad, Bruce, mom and me early 70s East Lansing
On my last visit to the USA in 2009
RECHARDA BENSON
April 1, 1919-August 24, 2013
These are some good memories. She must have been an excellent mother because she allowed you to keep your beamish grin.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlWCNCq2SqE
ReplyDeleteThat's great Jen. I'm going to embed your youtube tribute on this blog. One correction. I joined the Marines at age 18, not 16. More on that can be found here: http://wobblytimes.blogspot.com.au/2011/05/wobbly-times-number-114_21.html
ReplyDeleteCondolences. Beautiful poem and lovely tribute by Jenny. My grandma died on June 30 and she was nice enough to remember me in her estate planning. That's how I was able to afford my Honda Accord Coupe, otherwise I would still be too poor for a car I deserve.
ReplyDeleteThank-you.
DeleteI've been searching for old pictures of my grandmother and Aunt Ricky for awhile now, and no one seems to know where they all disappeared to. Uncle Rod directed me here, and I just want to say that though I was so very young when I knew her, and it was only a few times, I do remember Aunt Recharda fondly. She, like my grandmother Gwen, was a beautiful soul. Thank you for this.
ReplyDelete