My Mother's Voice

Anne Whitney-1980

I have a wonderful mother and I've been thinking about her this month. On 24 October she would have been 85 years old. Sometimes I look at older women and wonder what Mom would look like if she were still alive now. I never saw her when she was old because she died when she was only 54. That seems very young to me now that I'm 10 years past her high water mark. Mom isn't forgotten though. She's still alive in her children's hearts, all 10 of us. Many of her grandchildren weren't alive when she died, but they wonder about her too. This month my sister and I dedicated our third family history podcast to her. You can view it here.

In my sociology studies, I focused on "voice," specifically women's voice--how we are allowed to or take the opportunity to express ourselves. I've been thinking about my mother's voice. Though she was "only" a stay-at-home mom, she had a strong voice. It is because of that strong voice that we still remember her and know her today, 30 years after her death in 1981. I wonder if I will be remembered. I wonder if my voice reflects who I am and what I think, feel and believe. When I write the stories of my life and the lives of my family members, my voice is heard, and it will continue to be heard.