Some of you already know that my mom died just over a month ago. While I miss her, I’m grateful for many things. For example, I’m grateful that I had my mom for 55 years of my life, and that she, in particular, got to share in my accomplishments and successes. Like all parents, she and my dad wanted to send their only son out into the world prepared to succeed, and they did everything they could to ensure that would be the case. I’ve certainly felt the responsibility to make them proud because that was the only way I could even begin to repay their love and sacrifices. I’m grateful that during this last year we had together, she told me in no uncertain terms just how proud she was of me.
Mom was the one who drove me all over town for music lessons, sports, school plays, etc. In her prime, she was a voracious reader, played classical piano and had could sing beautifully (the latter clearly skipped a generation, since I can’t carry a tune to save my life). Mom was active in the auxiliary for the Eliza Bryant Center in Cleveland. She was an elementary school teacher in Cleveland Public Schools for 32 years. I remember us having to stop frequently on our trips to the grocery store because she’d always run into many of her former students.
Ultimately, I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to take care of her, just as she’d done for my dad and her great aunts. I’m glad I was able to move her from Cleveland to Brooklyn in the midst of a pandemic, so she could be with her family, see her grandchildren thriving and to spend time with her daughter-in-law. I feel like I did right by my mom, and that gives me an incredible sense of peace.
To those of you who’ve already shared your condolences, I sincerely appreciate you all. To be reaffirmed and held up by both family and community has meant everything.
Rest in peace, Ma.
Marguerite Fields (March 18, 1934 – August 21, 2022)
You must be logged in to post a comment.