FEB 01, 2020 – Today marks 15 years since my larger-than-life mother passed on to become our Fairy Cardmother in the great beyond. These past few months, especially, I’ve missed her something awful because I know that, were she alive, I’d find her parked with fellow political junkie and my Miami Beach buddy, 96-year-old Hannlis, watching every last minute of the impeachment hearings, as well as the FOX/CNN/MSNBC rehashes into the wee hours after.
I admired what a true Independent my mother was … from life she always sought “truth and beauty.” Back in her day, she adored the late Texas Governor Ann Richards, who so famously and feistily said that George H.W. Bush had “been born with a silver foot in his mouth.” And she was also a fan of that first President Bush and his hope for a “kinder, gentler nation.” Mom referenced that quote so many times that I finally traced it back to his 1989 Inauguration speech; in context, it reads, “America is never wholly herself unless she is engaged in high moral principle. We as a people have such a purpose today. It is to make kinder the face of the Nation and gentler the face of the world.”
In the same address, the 41st POTUS declared, “My first act as President is a prayer. Heavenly Father,” he said, “make us strong to do Your work, willing to heed and hear Your will, and write on our hearts these words: ‘Use power to help people.’ For we are given power not to advance our own purposes, nor to make a great show in the world, nor a name. There is but one just use of power, and it is to serve people. Help us remember, Lord. Amen.”
I wish I could adopt my mother’s more accepting, nonpartisan way, for I have felt very tense and tied to the outcome of the hearings, looking hard for the “truth and beauty” in it all. Last week I was so tangled up in it that I searched for something on the Buddhist concept of non-attachment — letting go of a desired outcome — and found this helpful Zen saying: “Consider the trees which allow the birds to perch and fly away without either inviting them to stay or desiring them never to depart. If your heart can be like this, you will be near to the Way.”
Inside our own beautiful willow tree card above reads, “This storm shall pass.” I know caring Cardies will send this card to soothe the many people who are struggling with challenges far greater than being a fit-to-be-tied Democrat. But I, for one, take comfort in its nurturing message, much as I know my mother would.
~ jodee stevens
founder & chief creative
Such a tribute to your dear Mother, our democracy and mission to show kindness. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I too am a fit-to-be-tied Texas Democrat. I found comfort in the message on the card. Keep up your great work.
Beautiful message & tribute. My Mother has been obsessing over the impeacment trials, I find my blood boils whenenver its on the tv. Such trying & worrisome times for our country.
It is a wonderful tribute to your mother, you will miss her every day for ever.
Absolutely lovely tribute! Mothers are forever – thank goodness for memories!
You write beautifully and your words are so wise.
May you (and we all) be receptive to them in the moments that you feel “fit-to-be-tied!”
I am once again struck how your words hit on practically everything I have been thinking about in the past month. My Mother just passed on Christmas Day. I am touched by your tribute to your Mother & your incredible skill in voicing the sentiments of many regarding “current events.”
This warmed my heart.
Thank you!
My Mother passed in November and she was a larger than life women also. She was strong and believed in truth and justice not lies and deceit as we have all experienced in our country today. She was fearless as I am and no one should not be honest with themself and vote for truth and justice and the American way. We have lost the way. Thank you for the beautiful card as our Nation is suffering under a President who appears to be a dictator and does only what he wants.
What a beautiful tribute to your mom, Jodee. Thank you for sharing her legacy with all of us. Sending you love, always.
The truth and beauty is right here in this post! I remember that Bush quote from my husband’s and I recent visit to the 41st POTUS Presidential Library in College Station. I don’t recall that prayer Bush made as his first act as president, though. I’m sure it was there somewhere in the library. I appreciate this reminder of it now.
Thanks for sharing this, Jodee! I have a feeling I would have liked your mother quite a bit, had I met her! When I was getting ready to move, I was cleaning off my bookshelves and I had books by both Ann Richards and her dear friend, Molly Ivins. I stopped for a moment and thought of the two of them, in heaven, shaking their heads and clucking like a couple of wet hens about what’s going on in our politics right now. The thought of them together made me smile. Who knows? Maybe your mom is with them! xoxo
As I write this, my husband and I are in our recliners, shoes off and feet propped up, calmly boycotting the State of the Union address. We decided there was just no point in listening to more lies about “making America great again” or “fake news.” Even living in Alabama, one of the reddest of the red states, we have hope that things will change this November. Thank you for sharing your memories of your mom. i know you miss her. Yes, she and Hanliss would have been BFFs for sure!
Jodee, this is so beautifully written. I love the quotes and your sentiments regarding your mom. The Zen saying and your willow tree card are perfect together. This is a keeper for sure to refer to often.
I love the Zen saying, Jodee, and will strive to embrace it. I lost my dad on October 30th, 2019, and one of the things that we had in common was that he was a staunch Democrat. I’m hoping that later this year he will be smiling from heaven…: O )
Thanks for sharing . Your work helps a lot in this hard time.