My Other Moms

May 2026

Dear Mom,

Happy Belated Mother’s Day! Last Sunday was very special. Alex and Abby joined us for lunch and fun conversation. Later we did FaceTime with Sara and her family. I feel truly blessed. You taught me the importance of family time and I will be forever grateful for that.

I was very fortunate to call you Mom, but you left too soon! That said, I was lucky to have three other mothers who carried me through the next forty years. I love to think about these women who were always there for me.

The first was your best friend, Trudy. You two met when you and Dad moved to your new home in 1950. She lived down the street and you two couples began playing bridge often. Trudy adored her family and the two of you loved to get together, sharing stories and laughing. After you died, we always saw Trudy when we went back to Cleveland. When Alex was a baby and we were there, I took him out for a walk. When I returned, Trudy and Sara were dressed in your fancy dresses and broaches having tea with your finest English China tea cups. I will never forget that charming scene.

As a junior in college, I went to Segovia, Spain to live with a family and study. I immediately fell in love with my family as they were very welcoming. Although our family was very small, both of my Spanish parents came from large families and invited me to their gatherings. I loved it all—the food, the conversation, the laughter and the close knit family feeling. For nearly thirty years, Fred and I returned to Spain every summer to visit them, see other friends and enjoy the perks of Spanish life. I loved finding special cards throughout the year to send to my mother. I am so happy you two met during one of our trips. She felt like a true mother to me, but passed last year and I miss her.

Your youngest sister, my beloved Aunt Helen, was of course the best. I loved her from the time I was very young. I honestly think I am more like her than you—a deep love of beauty, passion for teaching, neat and tidy home and always family first. She came from New York immediately after your death to help and guide my brother and me. For most of my life, I saw her at least once a year. When my cousin moved her to an assisted living home in Maine, Fred and I had the wonderful opportunity of visiting her more often. She, too, died last year and I miss her dearly.

As I think about you all, tears well up in my eyes. How blessed I was to have so many loving hearts around me. I miss you all. Many thanks to each of you for the hugs and gifts you offered me.

Love,
Helen