This is my attempt to tell you about my Mother, Alice Larson Hodges.
What can I say about a mother who paraded around Geneva, Alabama in bright clothes, big hats and jewelry? “Gossips be damned.”
What can I possibly say to help you understand this unique and talented woman?
She wore loud bracelets. They clanged as she played the piano at the First Baptist church. She often sang louder than the choir.
What can I say about this fearless woman who took me and my sister out of school in the middle of the year and drove to New Mexico from Geneva to see the Caverns in New Mexico? And during the summer, she stuck us in camp while she studied art.
What can I say about this oldest daughter of Norwegian immigrants? She once told me she married Daddy because he promised to buy her a piano and teach her to drive. After Daddy died, she never married again.
What can I say about a mother who loved water and painted beautiful pictures of water, but never learned to swim? Yet, she encouraged me and my sister to become good swimmers.
What can I say?
She raised two daughters alone while preaching: “Cleanliness is next to Godliness. A stitch in time saves nine. Early to bed, early to rise, makes a woman health wealthy and wise. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. You won’t like most of what you do every day, but if you do one thing you like, you should be happy.”
She was certainly adventurous.
She drove us to New York City to see the musical “My Fair Lady.” During our trip, we toured the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty.
We arrived in New York in the middle of the night. Alice Kay and I were asleep in the back seat. As she drove up to the Brooklyn Bridge, she woke us, shouting, “Wake up, girls, New York City.”
I could go on and on about her. How she filmed us as if we were movie stars. Thank God, we were able to salvage the rolls of film.
My sister had some of it spliced together, chronicling our lives as children, teenagers, young adults and mothers. In the beginning of this video, Mother is featured as young and beautiful and smiling for the camera. My father, who died when I was seven, is dapper and handsome, often puffing on a cigarette.
One thing’s for sure, Mother never failed to surprise me.
Several years ago, after she suffered a stroke and was in a coma. The doctors offered little hope for her recovery. I didn’t want to accept that diagnosis, and as I was talking to her, she opened her eyes and said, “I’m so proud of you.”
Many Mother’s Days have come and gone since she passed, but I still feel her presence, and she lives on in me, and in my children, Rene and Andrea, and in my grand daughter Cody. I hope they know how proud I am of them. #HappyMothersDay,#ILovemyMama,#GenevaAlabama
Wonderful tribute to your mother. She was definitely a unique lady. I’m so glad I knew her.
Thank you, Martha Sue, for your sweet comment. I’m so glad you enjoyed my blog tribute to Mama! Happy Mother’s Day to you!
Just lovely! I remember her sitting and painting at her easel in front of the library when I was little!
Yes, Sandy, she was a sight to behold. She didn’t want anyone looking over her shoulder while she painted, but she drew attention anyway! Hugs! ❤️
Sandy this is Cashie Owens from Samson and you may not remember me but I remember you when you dated my cousin Terry Owens and one thing I remembered bout your mother was when Terry had a date with you and his twin went and got you early and she didn’t know the difference in the twins and told Terry you just left with her and You didn’t know the difference I guess because you left with Jerry lol Terry was so mad !! I also remember you liked Jimmy Pate or he liked you from Samson lol I met you the first time at Miss Miller’s house in Samson . Daine was her granddaughter . I also remember ya had a swimming pool and some of the boys said they had dove out of the upstairs of your house into the pool at a party one night at your house . lol You may remember my brother T Bone from Samson also I don’t remember is you dated him or not . I also remember Alice Faye who married the Morgan from Enterprise . She had dark hair and you the little blonde lol I enjoyed your story of your Mother !
Hello Cashie,
You comments were a joy to read and I smiled remembering Terry and Jerry and the little games they played. I also dated Pete Spivey from Samson, and he would call and play the trumpet for me over the phone. Fun times. Thank you for reading my blog about Mama and for sharing your precious memories. Love and hugs and stay safe.
Sandy, that is a lovely tribute to your mother. She would, indeed, be very proud of you!
Thank you, Pat, for your kind words. We enjoyed quite a few adventures together, didn’t we?❤️