My mom worked as the editor of our local newspaper, covering news all over the county. If a reporter couldn’t make it to an event, Mom would grab her camera, reporter’s pad, and pen—and quite often her daughter—to capture the news herself.
This meant that whether I wanted to or not, I visited sporting events, live nativity scenes, church bazaars, festivals, fairs, horse pulls, pie-eating contests, and a lot of parades. 
Most kids would relish frequent outings to festivals and fairs, but apparently I grew tired of being dragged from town to town. Even though it was an era when the Girl Scouts and local celebrities riding in Model T cars or standing on floats would heave generous gobs of candy to the spectators, apparently I moaned one time, “Not another parade!” Ah, what a cross I had to bear!
All because my mother was a professional writer and editor; a committed, working journalist.
When she was a child, her dream never wavered: she wanted to write. Mom majored in journalism at university and worked for years at our metropolitan newspaper, The Indianapolis Star, as a writer, editor and columnist. Her work in the lifestyle department allowed her to meet and interview movie stars as they came through town for a show or event. I always enjoyed telling my friends, “My mom met the woman who plays Ethel on ‘I Love Lucy.'” Mom said Vivian Vance was gracious and charming—one of her favorite interviews. And one of the most challenging? Jack Palance.
But continuing to work full-time at the Star became a challenge when my brother was born. When I came along four years later, Mom adjusted her writing life to accommodate motherhood … to accommodate me.
She gave up her work at the Star to take that position at the county newspaper in order to be available to her children; she gave up being the journalist she wanted to be, in order to be the mom she wanted to be. She could have been interviewing movie stars. 
Instead, Mom stood all day on Mondays, scrambling to get the paper ready, making editorial decisions about which photo of the county fair queen should make the front page, trimming school lunch schedules with scissors and pasting down stories of council meetings and road construction. But because Mom didn’t drive downtown to Indianapolis—because she was willing to work hard at a less prestigious job that was flexible and kept her close by—she was there to cheer me on at softball games and track meets. She could see my plays and band concerts.
She was around for school award ceremonies where I received some minor recognition—nothing newsworthy that would draw a reporter, but Mom would come … as a mom.
And I didn’t appreciate her sacrifice one bit when I was young.
When I was little, I woke up early to watch morning kids’ shows, which would have been limited to Captain Kangaroo, Sesame Street, and a few cartoons. Mom says one morning I slipped into her bedroom in my jammies and asked, “Mommy, can you watch car-coons with me?”
Touched that I requested her presence, she dragged herself out of bed, pulled on a robe, shuffled into the living room, and eased herself onto the green vinyl chair as I snuggled down on her lap.
After a few minutes, I chirped, “That’s good, Mommy. You can go back to bed. The chair’s all warmed up now.”
For a lot of women, it takes becoming a mother to appreciate their mothers. It takes a humbling vinyl chair moment to realize everything our moms put up with.
For me, I think that the tension and pull between motherhood and writing has opened my eyes to my mom’s sacrifices. Mom sought to balance work and motherhood, respecting and honoring both.
Now I’m attempting the same thing.
I’ve grown to appreciate the challenges she faced to make her life work. Mom knows all about “imperfect conditions.” I think I finally feel the pang of those compromises she made, of her grief at the loss of a position that really fit who she was as a writer in order to choose a life that allowed her to be there.
For me.
And my writer-mom has celebrated the life I’ve chosen, as well; also the life of a writer-mom, seeking a both/and instead of an either/or life.
Thanks for modeling how to write in the midst of motherhood, Mom. Thanks for being there.
Thanks for supporting and celebrating my work while carrying on your own. And thanks for loving my biological babies … and appreciating my word-babies.
Happy (early) Mother’s Day!
Visit HighCallingBlogs today for an early Mother’s Day celebration, where you can read a collection of mom-themed vignettes and poems.
Thank you, sweetie, but honestly, when I look back over a 55-year career, in many ways those years at the local paper were the most fulfilling, and not just because I had time to cheer at track meets. At The Star I had one position, but at the local paper, I got to do it all! And I do love journalism, and so I do love to do it all. Except writing the lines under photos. Everyone agrees they are a pain!
Well, that makes me feel better about your sacrifices. Maybe the loss of the Star position opened you up to journalistic gain? I was actually thinking about that as I wrote this–how you had to use *all* of your training–writing, editing, photography, darkroom, layout–at the local paper. I’m glad you can look back with pride and pleasure at those years!
Oh, this made me cry for a multitude of reasons both personal and professional. And these tears? All good. All good.
So, so good Ann. Thank you, dearly, for this.
And Lynn? I agree — cutlines are the worst. (I’m a former Des Moines Register reporter, formerly employed under … Dennis Ryerson!)
Everyone all together now, “It’s a small world after all…”
How about that Star connection? Mom retired long before Dennis arrived, but she was probably still submitting her antiques column.
You, too, have made writer-mom choices and can understand the journalism side of mom’s life better than I!
Your mom is one of the most awesome women I know! When I came to the Star at age 18, I had no idea what I was going to do, I was just happy to be working for a newspaper. I wanted to write but was just a TV clerk. Lynn took me under her wing, gave me writing assignments and groomed me to become a reporter 2 years later. And we did a lot of multitasking at the Star too ….. learned editing, page makeup, all the stuff you do that’s “behind the scenes.” Best, though, is that she has been my friend for 46 years, and that beats interviewing all the movie stars and other fun stuff I did at the paper. Lynn is a great journalist AND mom …. thanks for writing this, and I’m still gonna call you Annie!
LOL! My husband is a photojournalist, so all of us, kids and wife included have been dragged along to assignments! That’s just the way it is! One time, we were heading off to supper, and someone came down the hill from the university and got caught on some ice. Their car ended up in the river. That one was a LONG time sitting in the car, in the dark. Spot news is what it is, though! That time it was just me, though. Sometimes, when I’m working, DH has to go pick up the high school senior from school, so sometimes she has to wait through an assignment, too.
Beautiful post, Ann! When parents follow their passion and put kids first, kids grow up to be smart and feel loved. Your tribute to your mom brings out both these aspects of a full life.
God bless you both!
This is such a wonderful tribute, Ann! It makes me feel better about some of the professional sacrifices I’ve made in an effort to be both Mom and Writer (even though my kids don’t properly appreciate the sacrifices).
Also, our small-town paper is waiting on my front porch right now. It makes me appreciate the work of people like your mom.
take care!
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Cliche? Not in your case. It does take being a mother to appreciate our mothers. Profound.
this is really a very wonderful tribute .. what a special lady … who happens to be your mom too!
What a fabulous post and tribute to your Mother. She seems like a gracious, kind woman; the kind of woman I most admire. Those who, quietly, go about getting the job of life done while wearing many hats.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Thank you so much and the longer I live, the more I realize there are no easy answers. (But maybe that’s what makes life worth living…)
My friend Megan told me about your blog after she read my own mom posting that I wrote on my daughter’s 11th birthday. http://jennstwosteps.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-second-decade.html
It always makes me feel better to read about other moms out there who are doing the best they can do. For those who are able to really follow their dreams – I want to be just like you, ladies! You rock!
is word-weaving genetic?
love the story…
Blessings.
awwwww….
Ann,
your mother continues to inspire, through you,
that is amazing.
Ann, I so enjoyed reading this post! Thank you!
It’s so great to hear from you, Debbie! Thank you for reading!