November 30, 2016

My Mother at 97 98 99 ... and now 100 101 102

momportrait.jpg

Her earliest memory is being held on the shoulders of her father, watching the men who lived through the First World War parade down the main street of Fargo, North Dakota in 1918. She would have been just four years old then. Now she's 90 years old and she comes to her birthday party wearing a chic black and white silk dress, shiny black shoes with three inch heels, and a six foot long purple boa. She's threatening to sing Kurt Weill's 'The Saga of Jenny" and dance on the table one more time .

She'll sing the Kurt Weill song, but we draw the line at her dancing on the table this year. Other than that, it is pretty much her night, and she gets to call the shots. Which is what you get when you reach 90 97 and are still managing to make it out to the tennis courts three to four times a week. "If it wasn't for my knees I'd still have a good backcourt game, but now I pretty much like to play up at the net." [Note: Alas she had to give up tennis two years back when her knees finally gave up. She didn't. Water walking twice a week. She gave all a scare a couple of years ago but came roaring back after major surgery and is more or less back to the regular schedule.]

She plays Bridge once or twice a week, winning often, and has been known to have a cocktail or two on occasion. After her operation she gave up driving much to the relief of my brother who fretted over it for several decades.

She keeps a small two-bedroom apartment in a complex favored by young families and college students from Chico State and, invariably, has a host of fans during any given semester. She's thought about moving to the "senior apartments" out by the mall, but as she says, "I'm just not sure I could downsize that much and everyone there is so old."

She was born deep in the heartland at the beginning of the Great War, the youngest of five children. She grew up and into the Roaring 20s, through the Great Depression, taught school at a one room school house at Lake of the Woods Minnesota, roamed west out to California in the Second World War and met the man she married.

They stayed married until he died some 30 years ago. Together they raised three boys, and none of them came to any more grief than most and a lot more happiness than many.

After her husband died at the end of a protracted illness, she was never really interested in another man and filled her life with family, close friends (some stretching back to childhood), and was, for 15 years, a housemother to college girls. She recently retired from her day job where she worked three mornings a week as a teacher and companion to young children at a local day-care and elementary school.

She has always been a small and lovely woman -- some would say beautiful. I know I would. An Episcopalian, she's been known to go to church, but isn't devoted to the practice, missing more Sundays than she attends. She's given to finding the best in people and letting the rest pass, but has been known to let fools pass at high speed.

Born towards the beginning of the 20th century, she now lives fully in the 21st. Nearly 10 years ago we gave her a 90th birthday party. It was attended by over 200 people from 2 to 97, many of whom told tales about her, some taller than others.

We didn't believe the man who told about the time in her early seventies that she danced on his bar. He brought the pictures of the bar with her high-heel marks in it to prove the point.

Other stories are told, some serious, some funny, all loving. But they all can only go back so far since she has only been living in Chico, California for 30 years. I can go back further, and so, without planning to, I took my turn and told my story about her. It went something like this.

"Because I'm the oldest son, I can go back further in time. I can go back before Clinton, before Reagan, before Nixon, before Kennedy, before Eisenhower. We'll go back to the time of Truman.

"It must be the summer of 1949 and she's taking my brother and I back home to her family in Fargo for the first time. I would be almost four and he'd be two and a half. The war's been over for some time and everyone is now back home and settled in. My father's family lost a son, but -- except for some wounds -- everyone else came out all right.

"We're living in Los Angeles and her home is Fargo, North Dakota, half a continent away. So we do what you did then. We took the train. Starting in Los Angeles we went north to San Francisco where we boarded the newest form of luxury land transportation available that year, the California Zephyr.

"Out from the bay and up over the Sierras and down across the wastes until we wove our way up the spine of the Rockies and down again to the vast land sea that stretched out east in a swath of corn and wheat that I remember more than the pitched curves and plunging cliffs of the mountains. On the Zephyr you sat in a plush chair among others in a long transparent dome at the top of the car and it seemed all Earth from horizon to the zenith flowed past you.

"There was the smell of bread and cooking in the Pullman cars that I can still capture in my mind, and the lulling rhythm of the wheels over the rails that I can still hear singing me down into sleep.

"At some point we changed trains to go north into the Fargo Station and, as we pulled into Fargo in mid-morning, my mother's family met us with their usual humble dignity -- they brought a full brass band that worked its way down through the John Philip Sousa set list with severe dedication. They also brought me more family members than there were people living on our entire block in Los Angeles. There may also have been a couple of Barbershop Quartets to serenade us during the band breaks, but I'm not sure about that.

"My mother and brother and I were swept away in the maelstrom of aunts, uncles, cousins by the dozens, and assorted folks from the neighborhood on 8th Avenue South.

"The day rolled into a huge lunch at a vast dining room table where my grandmother ruled with an iron ladle. Then, after a suitable post-prandial stupor, my entire family rose as one and headed out to the nearby park for their favorite activity -- trying to crush each other in tennis. When this family hit the courts, it was like a tournament had come to town. Other would-be players just took one look and headed for another set of courts elsewhere.

"I was still too young to play, although my mother would have a racquet custom-made for me within the year, so instead I would have been exhausting myself at some playground or in one of the sandboxes under the eyes of my older cousins. Then, at dusk, I made my way back to the courts.

"In the Fargo summers the twilights linger long and fade slowly. And as they fade the lights on the courts come up illuminating them in the gathering dark. And I sat, not quite four, as the night grew dark around me and my mother and her family played on below.

"Now it is all more than sixty years gone but still, in my earliest memories, they all play on in that endless twilight. I see them sweeping back and forth in the fading light. Taunting and laughing together. Calling balls out that are clearly in. Arguing and laughing and playing on forever long after the last light of day has fled across the horizon and the stars spread out high above the lights.

"Service. Return. Lob. Forehand. Volley. Backhand. Volley. Love All."

momasyounggirl2.jpg   momnow.jpg
Lois Lucille McNair Van der Leun -- then and now

November, 2004 -- Chico & Laguna Beach, California

Posted by Vanderleun at November 30, 2016 1:59 AM
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Wow.

How very special your visit must have been, and all the wonderful memories that it brought back to life for you, also. We sometimes forget how precious time spent with our family is when we become adults. I'm looking forward to having a good Thanksgiving with my own.

Posted by: Scout Mom at November 22, 2004 8:49 PM

Welcome back. You were missed.

So... is your mom ever going to start her own blog? :-)

Posted by: Harvey at November 22, 2004 9:09 PM

A wonderfully evocative story highlighting a blazing example of how to live life to the fullest! Your mother sounds like a classy woman; her qualities shine brightly in this current age of whinging entitlement.

Posted by: Barbara at November 23, 2004 4:15 AM

Sounds like a great woman. Too bad they live so far apart—she and my mother would get along.

Posted by: Dave Schuler at November 23, 2004 6:15 AM

My Uncle Jim is not interested in women other than his late beloved wife, but what a pair he & your mom would make. He's home after his yearly solo drive from outside Chicago to Colorado to visit his alma mater, the Colorado School of Mines, and an archaelolgical dig near Cortez that his wife and he have helped support for years. Now it's back to the board meetings for the hospital (among others), dinners out, church and the parties. And our Sunday morning calls from which I've learned so much. He'll drive to St Louis for Christmas with his nieces. The most optimistic, forward-thinking, always curious man I've ever known. Your mom and he are great models for aging well and with style! We love them so.

Posted by: Barbara Dix at November 23, 2004 1:07 PM

Oh. And Uncle Jim is 94.

Posted by: Barbara Dix at November 23, 2004 1:09 PM

Lois has a wonderful, vibrant spirit. You certainly captured it well! What a great tribute, sounds like her 90th was a blast!

Posted by: Denise Lovejoy at November 23, 2004 6:22 PM

Lovely. I'll bet the parade that marched up Broadway was also attended by my great-grandfather, a GAR man; he would have driven into town to see that. Perhaps they made eye contact. Maybe she dropped a hanky and he picked it up for her.

I think I know the park, too. You're right: at twilight it's a magical place if you're young or, I expect, old. When you're 20 you're just waiting for it to get dark so you can get out the Pabst.

Posted by: Lileks at November 24, 2004 11:43 AM

Dear cousin. I'm a year older than you, but for some reason my memory isn't as vivid as yours. Perhaps one of us was smoking milk weed by then. Or maybe it's the writer in you. As to the Sunday dinners at the grandparents, I always thought grandfather with his white dress shirt rolled up to his elbows, carving tools in hand, was the boss. At least on Sundays.
One incident you forgot to mention was that you were there for my brothers birthday and screamed bloody murder when you were told that you couldn't keep the present you so carefully picked out for him. LA Brat !!
Your mom is the greatest. She sang the same tune at dad's 95th last summer. We allowed a short dance (it's ok in Fargo) and then she and I sang "I Left My Heart in SF". Dad and 92 year old brother Jack followed with a little Barbershop harmony.
I'm thinking that singing might be their secret. Or tennis.
I don't think either one of us has a chance.
Thanks for the fun reading.

Posted by: david at November 25, 2004 10:32 AM

Cousin,
I'm one year older than you and I don't remember much of your visit to Fargo. Had we started smoking the milk weed by then or is this just the writer coming out in you.
I thought grandfather was in charge. I can still see him at the Sunday dinners. White shirt, sleeves rolled up and carving tools in hand. Talk about authoritarian. Maybe she just let him be boss on Sundays.
Anyway, you did leave one thing out. I would have too, if I were you. It was my brother Mike's birthday and you through an absolute tantrum when you were informed that you couldn't have the gift back that you so carefully picked out. I knew right then that you would become a liberal. Thank god you've seen the light.
Your mom is a hoot and a wonderful lady. She did the same tune at dad's 95th last summer plus a little soft shoe. We allow dancing in Fargo. Then she and I sang "I Left My Heart in SF" followed by dad and 92 yr old brother Jack doing some Barbershop harmony. Fun for all.
So, we've got some pretty good genes, I guess. Only one problem. Unlike you and me, their mother scared the bejeezes out of them at an early age and the sauce rarely touches their lips. Oh well, we'll have more fun.
Sorry I missed the big party. She is admired and loved by us all, especially my children.

Posted by: McNair at November 25, 2004 4:21 PM

A beautiful portrait of a wonderful, spirited woman, painted by a loving son. Makes me wish I could meet her--but I feel as though I already have, from your writing!

Posted by: neo-neocon at May 6, 2005 10:40 AM

My mom's mom was old when I was born.

She was born in West Demoines, Iowa, in 1900. She was always a sweet old lady all the time I knew her. She tended to talk of bible stories, baking, and the flowers in her garden.

She passed away in 1994. After my mom returned from the funeral she showed us photo albums we had never seen before. The picture that sticks in my mind most is from 1918. Grandma was working as a secretary in New York City at the time. On Armistice Day she was photographed somewhere in Manhattan in the back of a Tin Lizzy in the company of five servicemen. Grandma wasn't always old. Her "look" in the picture, if not "flapper", was still quite attractive for the time. There is tickertape, and a bottle is present, too.

Closer inspection of the picture confirmed my suspicion - those boys were Marines, and the looks on the faces of all involved had nothing remotely to do with parables, apple pie, or flowers.

Posted by: TmjUtah at May 6, 2005 1:56 PM

How wonderful to have a mother who will leave
wonderful and happy memories.
My mother was a horse race fan, from the time
I was a teenager or earlier. She loved horses, but was hurt at 65 and was never able to ride
again, the races brought her the beloved horses
back.
She was ill at nearly sixty and needed surgery and was still very groggy having just returned to her bed when a man came to visit a women beside her.
As he left, he commented,"does anyone want to
bet on the races today?" Well, up she sat and
said, 2 and 6 on the quinella (sp)! These were
her numbers for the quinella and she had never
won on them, but would not try any other.
That day she did, one hundred and twenty dollars,
and quite a sum at this time!
She phoned me to let me know when she was going
home as I was flying out to care for her. She
was so excited and said we were going out for
a real celebration!
We did, all eight of us! She was still tired, but
nothing would stop this event.
Memories like this keep her alive to this day,
she taught my children to fix a drink, play
poker and to eat chinese food far too early.
Above all, she taught them about the horse races!
Above even that, she taught us to laugh, to win
and how to lose with laughter.
She was always a lady, but one with some rather
different ways, and people look at me with a
funny look when I tell them what she had gifted
us with.
She passed away at 84, still watching the horses
on television no matter what they were doing.
I really enjoyed your story on your grandmother,
how blessed you are.


Posted by: carole at May 7, 2005 1:36 PM

What a beautiful story! You're so lucky to have such a cool mom.

PS: I love your blog.

Posted by: Kelly at November 7, 2008 11:23 AM

Lois,

What would you say was the most impassioned, memorable screaming fit over an utterly inconsequential matter Gerard ever committed? I'm talking about an Oscar quality performance. :)

Posted by: Alan Kellogg at November 7, 2008 12:23 PM

My God, what a lovely piece. Your writing is always strong and unapologetic, and I guess this story is a good example of why that's true. As I've told you, I'm a year older than you, and my Father didn't come back from WWII. I have and will always envy people who can talk story about their family.

I'm sure you already know this, but in my opinion you should thank God every morning, noon and night that you have a family, and one such as this.

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful mother with us all.

Posted by: Rob De Witt at November 7, 2008 4:18 PM

Feliz cumpleanos to the lovely woman with the triple barrelled name and the heart of a lion and the lamb simultaneously.

Posted by: Sippican at November 7, 2008 7:20 PM

Lucky man.

Posted by: Daphne at November 7, 2008 8:26 PM

Absolutely one of the best of the best of your writings. How fortunate you are to have such a mother and fortunate is she to have a son who can bring her to life forever in our consciousnesses. Up to now over these past few years of reading AD, I associate her with widowhood with dignity and clear purpose, motherhood of STRONG males, the care and proper use of boas, tennis rackets, a wicked hand of bridge, supernatural chocolate chip cookies, treasure-filled/over-loaded bulletin boards and a mind of her own. Please don't leave us for long without current updates about your dear mother. May God continue to bless Lois VdL! And Happy, Happy Birthday wishes to her.

Posted by: Webutante at November 8, 2008 5:21 AM

What a wonderful tribute to this woman, and a wonderful memory of my youth. I grew up in Houston Tx in the 40's and 50's and trips to my Grandmothers in Wisconsin on the train are some of my best memories. If you have someone like this in your family spend as much time with them as you can. When they share memories write them down and take lots of pictures. Ancestors are like anchors, you don't need them when you are sailing along on a calm sea but when a storm comes up they help you keep the bow into the wind so you won't capsize. And there are lots of storms headed our way.

Posted by: glenn at November 8, 2008 8:20 AM

Your lovely narrative makes me homesick every time I read it.

My mother is 87, but not quite so vital as yours.

Can't imagine a world without her.


Posted by: Cathy at May 11, 2009 5:30 PM

Sweet story, Gerard.

Posted by: pst314 at December 4, 2009 7:52 AM

Thank you so much for this! And, Happy Birthday to your mother.

Posted by: Susan in Seattle at December 5, 2009 7:35 AM

Loved this. Thanks for bringing her so vividly into our living rooms also. Happy birthday to her, and hope you made a huge fuss over her this year...

Posted by: retriever at December 5, 2009 8:30 PM

That continues to be a lovely tribute to a long life well-lived. I never really celebrated mother's day as a kid. My mother died young. The last present I remember giving her was a store-bought ceramic swan ashtray. It was her favorite in a succession of mother's day ashtrays I'd either made at school or bought at Ben Franklin's.
I really enjoyed your cousin's story about you wanting to take back a birthday present.
At a family reunion, my cousins told a story of one of my meltdowns that got me sent to my room, where, forced to sit in a corner, I peeled all the wallpaper off the wall....I had no memory of it, but my aunt was quite angry with me.
So I was told.

Posted by: Jewel at May 8, 2011 8:28 AM

Farm stock Gerard, it takes a barn beam to knock them down. My Mom born in '09 died at 93, she still kept her house till the last.

Vermont life then either killed you or inured you to anything life could toss at you. The northern plains weren't (still aren't) life in some 'Toasty Towers'. God bless her and let her keep singin'.

Posted by: Peccable at May 8, 2011 10:57 AM

Gerard, Thanks for this gift. My mom died in '99 at the age of 92. Born on a ranch in the hills west of the Napa Valley in '07, then as a teen ager went to nursing school in San Francisco, married a doctor, (like, Really!) and kept her large house in San Francisco along with a huge garden until her death.
These were sturdy stock.
ps: I remember the San Francisco Zepher's grand introduction to the public at the waterfront on the Embarcadero.
Thanks again.

Posted by: Michael at May 8, 2011 12:03 PM

Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there!
Mom (80) and Dad (84) are kids i guess

Posted by: Cletus Socrates at May 8, 2011 12:10 PM

You're a lucky man, G. But you already knew that.

Posted by: Velociman at May 8, 2011 1:28 PM


What a beautiful woman. Thank you for sharing with your readers. You are indeed a lucky man for having her in your life.

Posted by: Cilla Mitchell, Galveston Texas at May 8, 2011 2:10 PM

At age 96, a person in the USA has seen the government go from "Land of the Free" to a sad, empty joke. I can't imagine how she can stand it.

Posted by: Tard at May 8, 2011 4:27 PM

You are well and truly blessed (though I suspect you are well aware of that) to have the mother you have. You paint an extraordinary verbal painting of the woman. As others have noted above, she does sound much like mine, and more then a bit like her mother (my grandmom), Independent, strong, loving, kindhearted (vice softhearted, there is a difference). Some one who continues to drink deep from the draught of life. May she see many more years of good health, good times, and be blessed with the comfort of family and friends.

Posted by: Guy S at May 10, 2011 5:47 PM

Beautiful. If I could give my daughters one word of advice, for when they become moms, it would be Volley. If the ball's not in play, you're not in play.

Your mom sounds like one wonderful lady.

Posted by: Velociman at May 13, 2012 8:30 AM

Always enjoy hearing about your Ma.

Posted by: Bruce Hanify at May 13, 2012 8:55 AM

truly precious

Posted by: DeAnn at May 13, 2012 4:17 PM

Mr. VanderLeun,

Oh, how I envy you. To still have your mom with you at this age is a sweetness I just can't imagine. Ma has been gone so long I almost can't remember her voice anymore. Bathe in these moments; they won't last forever.

Posted by: D S Craft at May 15, 2012 2:32 PM

I was lucky enough to know your mom and I still think of her often. Aunt Lois (as I fondly called her) and I shared the same birthdate. It made my birthday more special to share it with such a wonderful role model...I think of her each November. I still use her recipe for thin pancakes (crepes really). My family loves them.....and I tell them about Aunt Lois. Now I think of your mom and hope I can show as much class as she has shown while aging. Aunt Lois has made getting older palatable. Through the years I have lost track of your mom and am miles away. While googling your last name I was able to catch up. What a lovely essay you wrote. Thank you for sharing.0

Posted by: Pamela Foster at September 19, 2012 11:40 AM

I'm glad she's come around the circle yet another time, Gerard. One thing I've been thinking of asking my mom to do for me is have her record her sweet voice so I can listen to her when she's far away. Sing, speak, laugh ... any and all... I don't care.

What ever she chooses to do.

---

"I've found you a thousand times;
I guess you've done the same;
But then we lose each other;
It's just like the children's game;

But as I see you here again;
The thoughts runs through my mind;
Our love is like a circle;
Let's go 'round one more time."

---

Happy Mothers Day to your Mom, Gerard.

She's done good. :)

Posted by: Cond0011 at May 12, 2013 4:22 PM

Beautiful! Thank you!

Posted by: Bob Agard at May 23, 2013 2:09 PM

Your mother always made me feel like I was the most important person in her life. Clearly, I'm only one small pea in a long line of pods whom she acknowledges, and whom adore her. I've only known her a short time via the dental office in which I once worked. She would gracefully enter into the reception room singing "Susan Magoosun" to me and only me. I love her. She is the best part of my day when I am so lucky to see her.

Susan Gleason

Posted by: Susan Gleason at June 3, 2013 5:21 PM

Gerard, your mother is the bees knees. What a blessing.

Posted by: ahem at November 30, 2013 8:12 AM

Oh, good! Whenever you post this wonderful little memoir....Mother's Day, birthday.....I read the whole thing and love it each and every time. You were a lucky guy!

Posted by: Dinah in Missouri at November 30, 2013 9:29 AM

Your mom sure is pretty in the picture on the left and you can tell her I said so! :)

Posted by: bgarrett at November 30, 2013 4:04 PM

Once again I read your essay on your mother with pure enjoyment. She must have been a real 'pistol', rearing three sons and enjoying life. She's an inspiration....and I wish her a lovely Mother's Day!

Posted by: Dinah in Missouri at May 11, 2014 8:14 AM

She is sassy and full of pep. What a nice woman and a wonderful history to have in your family. Happy Mother's day.

Posted by: Arlene at May 11, 2014 3:00 PM

Absolutely adore this tribute ... ! What a lovely person she must be.

Posted by: DeAnn at May 13, 2014 10:04 PM

A BLESSING before your eyes!

Posted by: joedaddy at November 30, 2016 3:13 AM

Many happy returns of the day to come, I hope!

It's becoming a lovely thing, now, for your readers to wake up and see your annual tribute to your mom. Thanks for sharing her with us.

Posted by: Joan of Argghh! at November 30, 2016 4:16 AM

I get more out of this every time I read it.

Love All.

Posted by: Sarah Rolph at November 30, 2016 4:58 AM

Like your Mom,this lovely essay never gets old. Happy Birthday, Mrs VanderLeun!

Posted by: Nori at November 30, 2016 5:41 AM

Funny... just the other day, I was wondering how your mom was doing.

Glad to hear she still has a good appetite. :)

Posted by: cond0011 at November 30, 2016 6:04 AM

To produce a son whose writing is both heart-broke tender and bracingly astringent is a wonder to behold. God bless that woman!

Posted by: Patrick Dooling at November 30, 2016 6:37 AM

Inspiring to say the least. I enjoy this post more every year.

Posted by: Terry at November 30, 2016 7:30 AM

Blessings to you and your mother! Full of wisdom, full of years and very obviously full of life and love. God bless you both.

Posted by: Donald Sensing at November 30, 2016 8:17 AM

I look forward to next year's report and not only because I will then be 88 years old.

Posted by: JamesG at November 30, 2016 8:54 AM

It is so delightful to read this again, and know that she still graces this world with her presence.

Posted by: Julie at November 30, 2016 10:51 AM

Sigh, what a lucky man you are. Please relay my wishes to your mom for a most happy birthday. And, yes, just like your mom this column never gets old. It's always a joy to read.

Posted by: D S Craft at November 30, 2016 2:25 PM

Like a newborn babe, your mother fills us with hope and faith and love. She radiates blessings.
Thank her, thank you.

Posted by: Howard Nelson at November 30, 2016 3:15 PM

That was beautiful dude. Your mom is a keeper for sure. And quite a looker too.

Posted by: MMinLamesa at November 30, 2016 5:19 PM

You are blessed sir!

Posted by: Snakepit Kansas at November 30, 2016 5:24 PM

precious

Posted by: DeAnn at November 30, 2016 7:14 PM

Happy Birthday, Mrs. Van der Leun!

Posted by: baldilocks at December 1, 2016 5:00 PM

Every day I look at my bulletin board and I think of your Mama, "Mansions Of Memory". God bless you and her. And Thank You.

Posted by: Mary*Ann at December 1, 2016 8:12 PM