This is one of the few years since I’ve moved back to the Midwest that I haven’t spent part of Mothers’ Day weekend with my Mom. The last fifteen years she and I, or the two of us and her Madison grandchild, have sowed our vegetable garden the second Sunday in May. Felt odd to break tradition last Sunday. Missed you! We did have a weekend spring snowstorm, so perhaps it’s better we didn’t plant…
My mom is one of these capable people who is able to do just about anything. Her can-do attitude and broad base of knowledge about the world set the foundation for my expectations of personhood and particularly womanhood. She’ll spot and correctly identify the beetle or bird flying by. Mom can tell you what kind of tree has the best branches to make a basket, and within an afternoon make one worthy of display. She is willing to speak out about injustice and help those in need. When Rodney King was brutally beaten by police in 1991, she and I protested in Minneapolis and sung marching hand-in-hand. Mom’s volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, swinging a hammer with the best of them. She was the first person in her nuclear family to get a college degree. A third grade teacher for years, my mom helped kids’ reading and math skills take flight. My poem is for her:
M-O-T-H-E-R
My mother the naturalist, botanist and pharmacist
the meeter, greeter, weeder and reader
the carpenter, dessert chef and gardener
the artist, florist and feminist
the activist, correspondent and educator
My mother creates rainbows with her hands, her heart, her smile.
My mom, who lives by example
Women can do anything.
Much love, your eldest daughter.
Rebecca Cuningham 2020
Who inspires you?
Gracias for reading Fake Flamenco! ¡Olé! –Rebecca
#mothersday #poetry #poem
Fake Flamenco 
A wonderful tribute to an amazing mother!
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Thank you, Rosaliene!
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The perfect example of what every mother wants on Mother’s Day. A personal expression of gratitude. I never did it as well with my own mom.
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Aw, thanks Dad. I appreciate it.
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This is beautiful Rebecca!
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Thank you, Henry! I started with botanist and the poem tumbled out. Thankful my mom is going strong.
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Rebecca, that is an amazing tribute to your precious mom! I loved it. She sounds like an amazing lady! xoxo
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Thanks Carol Anne, she was a great role model of the strength of women.
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It sounds like it 😎
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That is the perfect poem for your mother. This is my first Mother’s Day without my mom but am thankful I had such a great mom too. xo
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Thanks very much for the compliment, Darlene. Sorry your mother has passed away. I’m glad you have such wonderful memories of her. Happy Mother’s Day to you!
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What a great poem in honour of your mom! It is beautiful! ❤
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Thank you, Carol Anne! She wrote me a text saying, “Are you trying to make me cry? It worked.” I just about cried reading what she wrote.
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