Damn Emily. What a thing it is to be raised by a blazing sun. You’ve done a beautiful job sharing a glint of your mom with us and I can only imagine what an absence she must be — in all senses of the word. I’m sending big, slightly-too-long hugs your way. Along with immense admiration for her to have raised amazing you while she was creating this tremendous work 🥰
Your mom sounds incredible and complicated and very much like The Incredibles' Edna: NO CAPES! Thank you for sharing her energy and her enormous artistry. I respect and honor your loss and grief. Peace to you and your family.
Dearest Emily, We have never met, yet your first business AND your mother's quilts have each been profoundly affirming. Every morning, I read "Girl Power: You Are Enough" which hangs next to my bathroom mirror. And in the years when I worked in/near Harvard Square, I must have stopped hundreds of times to gaze at your mother's quilt that was displayed in Cambridge Artists Cooperative. How is it that the greatest artists (like you and your mother) have an immediately recognizable quality to their art? Like the opening notes of beloved music, or the fragrance of apple cider being pressed, or a potter's distinctive touch on clay. The INSTANT I saw the photograph of "Passages", years of wonderful memories of your mother's art came flooding back. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much, Emily, for YOUR kind words. As an oldest daughter whose mother and only brother have passed, I am here for you. "Girl Power: You Are Enough" really is a great morning affirmation!
Emily. I subscribed (finally) so I could come here and give you as much of a hug as words can offer. My mom was diagnosed on May 30 and died June 29. I didn't think it could have gone any faster, but apparently your mom excelled at "dying quickly" too! You put into words how weird it's been to lose a mom who wasn't what that word conjures up for most people. Who was creative, powerful, eccentric, and maybe always a little out of reach. In my mom's case, a lot out of reach because of the mental illness that took so much from her. I got to be with her in those last weeks and final moments, along with my sister, surrounded by mom's art. I'm so glad you had that gift, too. Thank you for sharing her work. And thank you, Ruth, for sharing some of your magic through Emily. (Here's my mom's obit, because I can't help sharing her too. https://legcy.co/3M1UGK3 )
Oh wow, Sarah -- there are many similarities here. "Out of reach" resonates for me. I'm so glad you got to be with her in the last weeks and moments, and thank you for sharing her obit with me. It's beautifully written, was that you?
So so sorry for your (quite abrupt!) loss. Also so incredibly grateful to read your words today - they’ve helped me in some way I can’t quite put my finger on, as the best writing always does. Sending love, and quilt-wrapped hugs as you grieve the loss of your mum. ❤️🩹 🧶
We don’t often hear stories about mothers like this—too often mothers are portrayed as the smaller role in the family, the perhaps unprotective parent, or a weaker variety of woman. My own mother was not bold or courageous and played very small her whole life. It is so refreshing to hear a story where a mother stood up to those societal stereotypes at a time when it was very much frowned upon! I understand this type of mother doesn’t come without her own set of issues, and yet your tribute honored her in a very special way. She sounds like a force!
Ah, thank you Beth. I'm so happy this came through in the piece. It was very important to her to live her truth, and it cost her a lot. She was a force!
It’s beautiful you are taking the time to let the grief slowly unfurl. Thank you for sharing and showing us that doing life on our own terms can be complicated and beautiful, simultaneously. May you continue to honor who she is that lives in you, by setting it free and sharing it with the world. May you and your family be comforted during this difficult.
wow I had never seen your mom’s quilts, they are amazing!! and as a person who must ALWAYS be making something (like, to a serious fault, ha), I feel her. so very much love to you Emily ❤️
so sorry and sending you lots of comforting thoughts and good vibes. my mom was also an incredible artist and teacher but that didn't extend to me as a mother, but I was and am moved by her art. i'm feeling the love you have for your mother. thank you for sharing her work. they are beautifull.
What a beautiful tribute to a talented artist (what beautiful art on the website you built for her!) and an honor to a complex woman and relationship. Much grace and space to you during the loss, grief, and messy parts.
Thank you for sharing this with us Emily. I’m glad you are taking the time you need to process, grieve and do all that comes with the passing of a complicated and larger than life mother. Sending you love ❤️
Damn Emily. What a thing it is to be raised by a blazing sun. You’ve done a beautiful job sharing a glint of your mom with us and I can only imagine what an absence she must be — in all senses of the word. I’m sending big, slightly-too-long hugs your way. Along with immense admiration for her to have raised amazing you while she was creating this tremendous work 🥰
Thank you so much, Laurie. xo
Your mom sounds incredible and complicated and very much like The Incredibles' Edna: NO CAPES! Thank you for sharing her energy and her enormous artistry. I respect and honor your loss and grief. Peace to you and your family.
Ha! That is... an accurate comparison. Thank you Sheila. <3
I love the way you describe this complicated relationship with incredible tenderness.
Thank you Sarah.
Dearest Emily, We have never met, yet your first business AND your mother's quilts have each been profoundly affirming. Every morning, I read "Girl Power: You Are Enough" which hangs next to my bathroom mirror. And in the years when I worked in/near Harvard Square, I must have stopped hundreds of times to gaze at your mother's quilt that was displayed in Cambridge Artists Cooperative. How is it that the greatest artists (like you and your mother) have an immediately recognizable quality to their art? Like the opening notes of beloved music, or the fragrance of apple cider being pressed, or a potter's distinctive touch on clay. The INSTANT I saw the photograph of "Passages", years of wonderful memories of your mother's art came flooding back. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing.
Oh, I love this so much. Thank you for sharing this story and memory, and thank you for your kind words. In deep appreciation for you Ryn!
Thank you so much, Emily, for YOUR kind words. As an oldest daughter whose mother and only brother have passed, I am here for you. "Girl Power: You Are Enough" really is a great morning affirmation!
Emily. I subscribed (finally) so I could come here and give you as much of a hug as words can offer. My mom was diagnosed on May 30 and died June 29. I didn't think it could have gone any faster, but apparently your mom excelled at "dying quickly" too! You put into words how weird it's been to lose a mom who wasn't what that word conjures up for most people. Who was creative, powerful, eccentric, and maybe always a little out of reach. In my mom's case, a lot out of reach because of the mental illness that took so much from her. I got to be with her in those last weeks and final moments, along with my sister, surrounded by mom's art. I'm so glad you had that gift, too. Thank you for sharing her work. And thank you, Ruth, for sharing some of your magic through Emily. (Here's my mom's obit, because I can't help sharing her too. https://legcy.co/3M1UGK3 )
Oh wow, Sarah -- there are many similarities here. "Out of reach" resonates for me. I'm so glad you got to be with her in the last weeks and moments, and thank you for sharing her obit with me. It's beautifully written, was that you?
So so sorry for your (quite abrupt!) loss. Also so incredibly grateful to read your words today - they’ve helped me in some way I can’t quite put my finger on, as the best writing always does. Sending love, and quilt-wrapped hugs as you grieve the loss of your mum. ❤️🩹 🧶
Thank you so much, Breanna. xo
Those quilts are INCREDIBLE! What a talented artist. Thank you for sharing this.
We don’t often hear stories about mothers like this—too often mothers are portrayed as the smaller role in the family, the perhaps unprotective parent, or a weaker variety of woman. My own mother was not bold or courageous and played very small her whole life. It is so refreshing to hear a story where a mother stood up to those societal stereotypes at a time when it was very much frowned upon! I understand this type of mother doesn’t come without her own set of issues, and yet your tribute honored her in a very special way. She sounds like a force!
Ah, thank you Beth. I'm so happy this came through in the piece. It was very important to her to live her truth, and it cost her a lot. She was a force!
Amazing. Thank you for sharing your mom with us, including the complicatedness of it all. 💗
Thank you, Angie. <3
It’s beautiful you are taking the time to let the grief slowly unfurl. Thank you for sharing and showing us that doing life on our own terms can be complicated and beautiful, simultaneously. May you continue to honor who she is that lives in you, by setting it free and sharing it with the world. May you and your family be comforted during this difficult.
Thank you so much, Susan.
wow I had never seen your mom’s quilts, they are amazing!! and as a person who must ALWAYS be making something (like, to a serious fault, ha), I feel her. so very much love to you Emily ❤️
Thank you Jane! xo
so sorry and sending you lots of comforting thoughts and good vibes. my mom was also an incredible artist and teacher but that didn't extend to me as a mother, but I was and am moved by her art. i'm feeling the love you have for your mother. thank you for sharing her work. they are beautifull.
Thank you, Unha. <3
Thank you. Grief is quite the ride. Welcome to the club. Thank you for sharing. I sure miss my mom….💜❤️
Sending love your way, Maureen. <3
I'm sorry for your loss, Emily. Beautiful tribute and her work is so so impressive!
Thank you, Farrah!
What a beautiful tribute to a talented artist (what beautiful art on the website you built for her!) and an honor to a complex woman and relationship. Much grace and space to you during the loss, grief, and messy parts.
Thank you, Paula. <3
Thank you for sharing this with us Emily. I’m glad you are taking the time you need to process, grieve and do all that comes with the passing of a complicated and larger than life mother. Sending you love ❤️
Thank you Kirsten, and sending love back. xoxo