The value of my mother

My mother, Edna Padrick, 87 years young, suffers from the beginning

stages of Alzheimer’s. Lately she often asks herself, “Of what value is

my life?” As I reflect back on her life, I realize how much she is a part

of me and how fortunate I am to have such a wonderful role model.

My mother is an artist, and my earliest memories are of attending art

classes with her. After winning numerous awards for her paintings, she

decided to go back to school and, at age 65, received her Bachelor of

Fine Arts degree from Cal State Long Beach -- the only gray-haired

graduate that year.

When it comes to her paintings, I tend to be one of her worst critics,

and we often argue over whether a color is blue-green or green-blue. I

realize, though, that she has taught me to see beauty in every day

things.

She is stubborn and has very strong opinions. If she doesn’t like what

you say, she may give you one of her famous “head butts.” She has a

wonderful sense of humor and an unbridled laughter, which, much to the

embarrassment of my family, I also inherited.

She is not known for her housekeeping abilities, and when we were

growing up, if she wanted something cleaned, she would tape dimes to the

windows and floors around the house. She also prepared unique meals.

During the summer, we might just have watermelon, corn on the cob, or our

favorite, banana splits for dinner.

She also established the tradition of inviting our teachers to dinner

at least once a year, from kindergarten all the way through high school.

This was probably what inspired me to become a teacher.

She taught me that grades were not as important as what you actually

learned from a class and to judge people not by the color of their skin

or their station in life, but by their humanity.

She has been, and continues to be, an inspiration to me, and I love

her just the way she is and just the way she isn’t.

PEGGY ENGARD