I shall always admire mother’s ability to br surmount obstacles to her dreams, those br things being my dad, my siblings and I br grandma Alice and the rest of the family br br Mother could have easily succumbed to br defeat of marriage and five unruly kids, br but she never gave in, followed her own br dream-star, played the piano br br Organ lessons at the conservatorium, br playing Bach, church hymns, conducting br choir, never allowing reality to interfere, br else she might have been a drudge br br But her grooming impeccable; if I had br to choose between her and a defeated br mom, I’d take her, not needing her br affection, as is, she needs nothing too br br Grandma Alice ran her household ‘til br we kids were grown while she flew free br returning to bankrupt dad yet he claims br he enjoyed living in her universe br br Betray her – she’ll have you exorcised; I br leave her alone, unsure what she’ll do next br but I prefer a mother I can admire to a br dependent invalid in need of sympathy br br I’d rather be impressed than agonized by br her sufferings, but she must remember br when complaining why we do not offer br the affection that she thinks her due…br br Margaret Alicebr br