Editor’s note: Karen Harris Tully is a writer who lives in Raymond and has agreed to keep a journal to share with Daily World readers during the odd and uncertain time we’re all navigating.
Dear Journal:
It’s almost Mother’s Day as I write this, and I’m looking forward to seeing my mom, my dad, my sister and her family. Hi everyone! Mom and Dad are doing well in Vancouver. They want to come visit their grandkids, and I want that too, but even more I want them to stay safe and well, and they want the same for us. So for now, it’ll just be nice to see their faces and hear their voices. I know, lots of people video chat every day, but we’re not that advanced.
Thinking of Mom, I remember all the things she taught me to stay healthy in this world. She taught me to cook, and that recipes are merely suggestions, to love beets and sauerkraut, to never take the last piece of pie, and to always bake an extra pie. And to never waste anything. That probably came from both of my grandmas as well, who could make do better than anyone. Mom taught me to garden, and the value of education to take me wherever I wanted to go in this world. And she taught me to always give the best of what you have to those you love. Mom’s been staying busy sewing masks (and joking about finding a black-market hairdresser.)
Thinking of my mom reminds me of that famous Mr. Rogers quote: “Look for the helpers.” It’s not surprising to me that one of the best, most lasting things he learned as a kid, came from his mom.
When I look for the helpers, they’re everywhere. I see people like my mom sewing or 3D printing masks. I see people like my dad giving blood (local blood drives are coming up May 11th and 14th – go to redcross.org to find one nearby.) I see people lining up to buy fresh milk so it doesn’t go to waste, and driving across the state to pick up potatoes to distribute to food banks. I see local folks holding a weekly dinner for those in need and a backpack program for kids, giving their time and money to make those things happen. I see people wearing masks to protect those around them, buying from and supporting our local small businesses first.
Lately, it’s been too easy to focus on divisive arguing, but thinking about my mom reminds me to stay positive and look for the good in people. And to try to keep a sense of humor. Does anyone have a line on a black-market hairdresser?
A song for my mom: Edelweiss, The Sound of Music
Karen Harris Tully is a novelist living in Raymond with her husband and two small children. She writes sci-fi/fantasy for teens and adults and can be found at www.karenharristully.com.
