Memories of My Mother

The Social (A White Musical)

Mother:   A devout member of the Women’s League of the Methodist Church.
Lena:  Third of three daughters and old enough to perform at a social.
Mother:  Preparing for upcoming social by writing and reviewing notes.
Lena:  Found an interesting little poem in reading book.
Mother:  Lena, you can recite that poem at concert.
Lena:  I am excited about the idea, but my mother is truly over joyed for me.
Mother:  Very excited.  Keeps encouraging me to practice.
Lena:   Agrees to recite poem at concert.
Mother:  Mother promises to make me a pretty, pink dress, which she does.
Lena:  “I am little sad face sue can someone tell me what to do?”
Mother:  Very happy with Lena practicing poem over and over.

Mother & Lena:  Leaves home for church where social is being held.

Lena:  In the church. Time to get up on stage to recite poem.
Mother:  It is your turn to perform. Shoving her elbow towards Lena.

Lena:  Stands up, sits down, stands up one more time then covers her face.

Mother:  Continues shoving me with her elbow while I kept on crying.

Lena:  Crying, I can’t go up there, I can’t go up there.
Mother:  Yes, you can, stop crying and go up on the stage, now. Lena.
Lena:  Crying, crying, I can’t go up there, I am afraid…… continues crying.
Mother:  Very upset and visibly disappointed in her little girl.
Lena:  Very sad and not being able to recite poem, I remained in my seat and kept on crying, looking like “little sad face sue.”
Mother:  Enjoys other performances, but still a bit upset with Lena.
Mother & Lena:  Discusses the incident and wonders what went wrong.
Mother:  Continued her usual Women’s league activities, which included Wednesday’s meeting.
Lena:  Went on to join the girl’s brigade and performed in several short plays.

This is an incident which occurred when I was about five years old, but it has remained with me throughout my life. Now that I am older, I have a picture of myself walking onto the stage and proudly reciting “I am little sad face sue, can someone tell me what to do” with tears streaming down my little, sad face — what a natural and stunning performance that would have been.

Nonetheless, several years ago, after completing two speech courses, I proudly walked onto the stage of that same church and gave a speech, in loving memory of my deceased mother and father….. Most importantly, I was not afraid and did not shed a tear. According to the famous artist, Tom Jones “Memories don’t leave like people do, they always stay with you, whether they be good or bad it’s just something that we have.” My parents were two wonderful and loving people who are gone, but will never be forgotten, because “memories don’t leave like people do.”

Everyone has a story to tell….. I am happy to share these two favorite stories of memories of my father and mother, though sad at times, yet interesting enough to stay with me for ever.