Happy 79th Birthday, Mom!
NB: The pix are not loading well. I hope to fix them soon!
-M
Today, March 30th would have been my mother's 79th birthday, had she not passed away on January 9th, 2005 so I thought maybe I'd post a few pix and say Happy Birthday, mom! This first one is from her trip to India in the early 1960s. One of my regrets regarding my parents is he lack of conversations I had with them about their lives. At least with dad I have his book to read and re-read (will be doing so later on this trip, actually) but with mom, all I have are fragments of her memoirs, which she was working on before she died. I would have loved to talk to her more about India and the Movement, but I can't. So I make due with her writings and stories from her friends and pictures.
In 1960 mom was working for the National Guardian and it was for this newspaper that she would cover the Civil Rights movement. While packing up the apartment, I came across her official press ID card, signed by the notable and much revered journalist, James Aronson, for whom the James Aronson Award for Social Justice is named.
In 1957 mom traveled to "Red" China, in violation of a US State Department ban. (Not the first or last time she'd do something "against the rules,' BTW!) She was already at a world youth conference in Moscow, so what the hell, right? She went with 40 others, some of whom would become lifelong family friends, including my godmother Faye Goodman, the reverend Warren McKenna and his wife Elizabeth and the late Sally Belfrage, one of the finest people I ever knew. Below is a picture of mom (2nd left), Warren and Faye. Not sure who the young Chinese woman is. I suspect a translator.
Below is the New York Times article from August 15th, 1957 about the trip to China:
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Mark, that was really beautiful. You are obviously your mom's son. Very touching post.
I was just speaking with a friend two days ago, who is losing her dad right now (he is quite ill), about the sadness I feel about not having my mom around anymore. She passed away several years ago now--Sunny was her name, such a terrific person, of such great character and commitment (to society and her family) and kindness (and intelligence, but somehow as we get older the smarts matter less...) Anyway, as I have gotten older there are so many conversations I would like to have now with her! How could we have those conversations when were were younger... it makes me sad to not be able to know her better... and to be able to learn from her, to appreciate her even more. Anyway, It is good you have these references, these friends of hers... to piece those parts together. I am curious about your dad's book, you will have to tell me next i see you... Thanks again for your perspective here... Take care-h
Thanks, Harriette! Sorry to hear about your mom, as well.
As for dad's book, voila!
http://www.amazon.com/Unrepentant-Leftist-Lawyers-Victor-Rabinowitz/dp/025202253X
-Mark
Wow, such rich DNA you have!!! Seems your mom and dad must have had a vibrant relationship... the stuff of movies!! :-) Har (and thanks for your kind words... you know I still wonder if my Rabinowitz ancestry can be traced to yours!)