Mother's Day 2015

Mum with 1 month old GSL; November 1964

You have probably heard me say it before but I come from a line of strong, impressive women.  As a boy of about 4,  I remember being upset about being called 'names' by some older boys on the playground. I told Mum expecting sympathy and for her to go scold those name-calling boys.
Nope, she just told me about a little poem that they don't teach anymore....it's called 'Sticks and Stones'.  Ever since that day, I haven't once felt offended because "words will never hurt me..." Thanks Mum.

My Grandmother, Mary Lou Cooper (nee Long), on her wedding day 1937



My mother had a couple of fine examples to learn her great mothering tricks from and while she has endured considerable adversity she has never once complained. Ever.  The women up my line didn't do victim. No time for that nonsense. They got busy.

Here they are.

Grandpa Cooper, Great Grandma Long, Uncle D, Mum, and Grandma Cooper mid 1940s.

My Great-Grandmother Long (maternal grandmother's mother) became a widow around age 25 when her husband died in the Spanish Flu Epidemic of 1918. She had 4 hungry children and dreams of sending them to college that she didn't have the opportunity to attend. All by herself in 1918, she started an insurance company in Southwestern Ohio that put all 4 of her children through college and she bought a piano as she loved music and wanted her children to have the opportunity to experience the joys of musical performance. I can only imagine the pride she must have felt when attending her eldest child's, my grandmother, Mary Lou's Senior Recital at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music when she performed a piece by Chopin on piano. All 4 of G-Grandma Long's children graduated with distinction from college and were accomplished pianists. The insurance company Great Grandmother Long started in 1918 is still going strong and has provided comfortable homes and college educations for 4 generations.

I believe this is the room where my grandmother, Mary Lou Long, played Chopin's Polonaise-Fantaisie
for her Senior Recital at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music.

Grandma Cooper was by all accounts a wonderful pianist and could play hundreds of songs by ear...everything from Christmas Carols to Mozart. She was a schoolteacher and taught piano and for 28 years was the Music Director of the First United Methodist Church of Mansfield, Ohio. Her daughter, my mother, became a fine pianist and flautist in her own right but I know first hand that Grandma Cooper was especially proud of the day her son, my Uncle D, debuted at Avery Fisher Hall.

Uncle D in 1963. While my Grandmother was quite proud of my mother and spoke highly
of her musical attainments, I know Grandma was most proud of her son when
he debuted at Avery Fisher Hall. Her solemn tone of deep reverence when she said:
"Avery Fisher Hall" gave her away.

Yesterday, my mother attended the graduation of my beautiful niece who will begin her career as a school teacher this Fall in Denver.  I loved hearing the proud tone my mum invoked when citing my niece's academic honors.

A mother's influence is felt long after she's gone. I'm deeply grateful for having such wonderful grandmothers and a loving mother influence me.

My beautiful niece, M, who graduated yesterday with high honors with her proud grandmother in attendance.
She begins a career as a school teacher this Fall.
The Beat Goes On.