To Mom, With Love
One caveat to national holidays is that they help everyone be on one accord. Everyone will celebrate their mother the upcoming weekend, me included. I plan to head to Philly to spend the day with Mom and then spend Sunday with my family to celebrate Mother’s Day. I dedicate this post to my mom with love.

To Mom, With Love

Mother is a country girl at heart. I believe she adopted city style and customs when she moved from North Carolina to Philadelphia. Bessie, her name evokes the old-fashioned kind of gal that she is.

Wearing Anthropologie Maeve Moonsong dress, J. Crew necklace, and Joe's Prosper Mesh Panel Sandal

Bessie is not a typical name for girls today. African-American history does have a few notable women named Bessie.  Bessie Smith was a blues singer, and Bessie Coleman was the first African American female aviator.  In theater, the Bessie Awards are in honor of Bessie Schonberg. The Bessie Awards were established in 1983 to celebrate the unique creative voices of performing artists. The award honors exceptional choreography, performance, music composition, visual design, and other areas of dance and performance.

From my Dad comes the love of jazz, education, and discipline. My Bessie, on the other hand, instilled in me creativity that is reflected in my home and how I dress. She impressed upon me not to be afraid to speak up and to be determined to accept nothing but the best in all that I do. I know Genie Boy played key roles in these areas of my life as well, but I can remember vivid conversations with my Mom about analyzing life and people.

 

My Mom
My Mom, Bessie Davis Russell

The ultimate gift I believe my mom inspired is faith in the word of God. This belief has helped me rise above the pettiness that life can hand you: when your job decides that you are no longer of value to them, when people you thought were friends abandon you, and when some relatives only call when they need something.

We can and should occasionally toot our horns. I say that I am who I am by the grace of God, but because of Bessie Louise’s determination and love. I am a caring, thoughtful, loving, and respectful woman of God. To my Mom, with love, Happy Mother’s Day.

Have a wonderful week! Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers who read the Age of Grace. I thank you for your love and support.

eugenia_siggy