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!
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 ❤️
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.
Those quilts are exquisite. I had no idea art like that was even possible from fabric. My mother in law did wall hanging quilts, but they didn’t look like real paintings! I’m now curious if she had some of your mom’s books as a reference. Thank you for sharing your reflections of her and your own feelings with us. Grief is complicated.
I’m so grateful for this. Thankyou. Sending love and hugs and so much gratitude for what you’ve written and the path you had to walk to write it. And massive thanks to your Mom for the amazing art, worldview and the hard lessons that brought you into our orbits too. ❤️
Thank you, Israel, and thank you for that reflection. Some of the aspects of myself that I love, trust, and value the most were formed by living through tough things that were painful at the time, but which I'm profoundly grateful for now. xo
Thank you dear Emily. A wonderful summary of a life well-lived. Writing about it is a wonderful way to slowly come to terms with it all. It is so recent! Sending heaps of hugs and best wishes. Take care of yourself dear soul. Take your time. 💕
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!
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
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.
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!
Those quilts are exquisite. I had no idea art like that was even possible from fabric. My mother in law did wall hanging quilts, but they didn’t look like real paintings! I’m now curious if she had some of your mom’s books as a reference. Thank you for sharing your reflections of her and your own feelings with us. Grief is complicated.
Grief is complicated. <3
Thank you so much, Kim.
I’m so grateful for this. Thankyou. Sending love and hugs and so much gratitude for what you’ve written and the path you had to walk to write it. And massive thanks to your Mom for the amazing art, worldview and the hard lessons that brought you into our orbits too. ❤️
Thank you, Israel, and thank you for that reflection. Some of the aspects of myself that I love, trust, and value the most were formed by living through tough things that were painful at the time, but which I'm profoundly grateful for now. xo
Thank you dear Emily. A wonderful summary of a life well-lived. Writing about it is a wonderful way to slowly come to terms with it all. It is so recent! Sending heaps of hugs and best wishes. Take care of yourself dear soul. Take your time. 💕
Thank you so much, Beth. xo