Ever since I read this page in The Costco Connection of May, 2012 I had this post in mind. Writing about The Little Black Dress and fond Childhood Memories of my dear Mom.
It is so true that FASHIONS COME and go but the timeless little black dress has survived decades of trends.
My Mom got married in a black dress in February of 1949. After WWII there was not much, therefore they had to postpone everything. Working hard and saving for their big day, finally after dating for seven years, my Parents could marry.
My sister Diny still has that wedding dress, a beautiful black rayon georgette.
When I was about 9 years old I had to travel by bus with my Mom each year for a check up for my eyes. That was in the city of Venlo, The Netherlands at the hospital where the eye doctor was. Afterwards Mom always went with me to the large department store of V&D, for a cup of coffee with something sweet. It was also for her a special day off. That was so much fun; just the TWO of us... At the next department store of C&A she found a beautiful Little Black Dress in velvet (also available in a Bordeaux color). Mom asked me to zip up the long zipper in the back, which I did. She loved to be elegant but it was nearly impossible with seven kids, me being the 2nd born and eldest alive out of eight. But I can close my eyes and see her turning proud and pretty in front of the mirror...
I found her SO beautiful, she radiated such happiness, just for a moment enjoying the other, more elegant world. Then she would ask me to open up the long zipper again and she stepped out of her Little Black Dress. Gone was the moment of glamour and luxury and with the bus she rode back into her own world of hard work in the greenhouses, on the fields and in the house. Never an escape, no vacations, pure devotion to her family. Nothing luxurious, but wearing her apron with pride and only on Sundays she would dress up, complete with an elegant hat for going to Church with us. Guess that I'm the only one with my hats to enjoy the same...
We are blessed for still having her with us, even with her limited freedom due to the kidney dialysis three times weekly.
My Mom... She lived a hard life, as during the Great Depression she was sent to a big farmstead as a maid; at the tender age of 14. Just imagine... being away from your Parents and on your own in servitude.
She worked hard and long days, and her dream of studying and becoming a seamstress, never materialized. No money, no time and with WWII coming all dreams were shattered.
NO FREEDOM...
Everybody at that time had poverty, there was absolutely no luxury.
The young generation would not be able to live through such times.
In a way, my Parents have been away from their Parents as a teen. Dad too, at the age of 15 he went into servitude, and they worked long days and for that they got food and shelter, a simple bed and a little pocket money. They still managed to save.
I have always admired Mom's skills, from her great hand writing, to knitting sweaters and socks. Also crocheting fine lace doilies or baking the most delicious pies for us on Sundays. She was a great cook and when we came walking home from school for lunch (12:00-13:30 o'clock) the smell of her home made tomato soup with sauteed onions made us put a spring in our steps.
On Sundays she cooked a soup that is still being served at fine restaurants and for weddings.
She felt so proud for feeding her family and I learned a lot from her!
A true role model and of course I wish she could have enjoyed her younger years more.
But she was not alone... so many of her age never had any luxuries.
There are even today many countries where there is nothing but the basics of life.
A good thing for pondering about, as once again our Thanksgiving is coming close.
A feast for family, for being grateful to God for the love, the strength and high ethics that stayed with our Parents and Grandparents and let us pray we will keep their exemplary culture alive.
Closing with a photo where Mom is proudly wearing a beautiful brocade suit that we together found in Atlanta at the Outlet of JC Penney when they were in the USA with us. And I, with my Apriori7 suit from the Escada Company Store.
Mom also wears her Majorica pearls that we gifted her in December of 1983.
This was at my Parents' garden.
Fond memories...
your mom sounds like a dear woman who had to grow up very quickly.
ReplyDeleteDearest Mariette, what a beautiful tribute to your Dear Mother. It brought tears to my eyes to hear of her dedication to her family and her early hardships. Yes, life was so difficult for our parents and grandparents and we can not imagine such a life, but they did live so joyously despite it all and made the simple things in life mean so much. You are a Dear Daughter, and living hardships, too, as a young girl, the eldest of 7. I am sure your Mother is very proud of you for the kind, hardworking, intelligent woman you have become. Hugs to you. xx
ReplyDeleteLiebe Mariette,
ReplyDeleteja, das "Kleine Schwarze" ist noch heute ein Klassiker. Deine Eltern sehen so glücklich aus auf ihrem Hochzeitsfoto, wie man es nur sein kann. Jedes Leben hat Höhen und Tiefen, das gehört dazu. Die Erinnerungen sind dabei unvergesslich.
Liebe Grüße, Johanna
Dearest Mariette,
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely Post for your dearest Mum!
Wonderful pictures!
have a lovely weekend,
Love and hugs,
Claudia
Even slikken en weer doorgaan.....mooie post zo lieffff....xxx..
ReplyDeletelieve Mariette,
ReplyDeleteBen jij maar trots en blij dat je in een warm nest geboren bent.
Waar ouders van jongs af aan geleerd hebben om de handen uit de mouwen te steken.
In een tijd waarin elk dubbeltje 2 maal omgedraaid moest worden alvorens het uit te geven. En toch hebben ze het samen voor mekaar gekregen om in die moeilijke naoorlogse tijd met hard werken een gezin met al die kindermonden te vullen en groot te brengen.
En dat jij na al die jaren de mooie herinneringen die er zeker ook waren niet vergeten bent en vol bewondering over je ouders schrijft is een teken dat je een fijne jeugd gehad hebt.
Ook al had jij je moeder in die tijd wat meer luxe gegund........wie zegt dat ze dan gelukkiger geweest zou zijn.
Zoals dat ene momentje van het zwarte jurkje even over haar hoofd laten glijden in de paskamer....zo zullen er vast nog veel meer kleine geluksmomentjes geweest zijn in haar leven.
Ook al zou er op dat moment wel geld geweest zijn om het zwarte jurkje te kopen dan had jou moeder het denk ik toch niet gekocht,want bij de tweede draai om haar as voor de passpiegel dacht zij aan de strenge winter die misschien wel ging komen en de stookkosten die dat met zich meebracht.....en wie zal het zeggen wat er op zo'n moment nog meer voor zorgelijke gedachten door haar hoofdje gegaan zijn....
Op de foto's zie ik een bruidspaar wat gelukkig is met elkaar
en een moeder met dochter die stralen van geluk, gekleed in hun mooie pakjes in warm rood.
Fijn weekeind gewenst en lieve groeten!!
Ger
Dearest Mariette,
ReplyDeleteOh, this post of yours made me in tears, my friend! My parents had different kind of hard younger days, although they didn't tell me much. My mother had her favorite boutique which happened to be owned by my classmate's mother. I remember walking 20 minutes to the little store in the arcade and she looked SO radiant changing into new clothes testing. I didn't mind her long chat with the owner admiring beautiful dresses the store had. My sweetest memory with her.
I can proudly say my parents were a role model for me. I sure was impressed with the way you said "let's pray we will keep their exemplary culture alive."
I remember the "Lovely photo of you with your mother"♡♡♡
Sending you lots of love and hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeletedas sind wieder eindrucksvolle Fotos.
Alles Liebe
Elisabeth
Mariette es una suerte disfrutar de una madre así. La mía ya murió y también era de la misma forma. Hay que quererlas muchos. Besos.
ReplyDeleteMariette,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the story about your Mother and you growing up. Love is all that really matters in life not things. It sounds like you had a wonderful childhood.
Dee
Mariette,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the story about your Mother and you growing up. Love is all that really matters in life not things. It sounds like you had a wonderful childhood.
Dee
Dearest Mariette,
ReplyDeleteA deeply touching memories.Very beautiful post about your mother. remembering me my parents...they are so far hick;(
it was very hard to live after WWII, but they have the value of life in the family, friends, society. vice verse,Now days..everything modern..but empty.
thanks for sharing,
wish you have a great weekend
Love reading about your mum and the happy time you spend with her. Makes think of mine... have a good weekend Mariette. Mei
ReplyDelete