Sylvia Rodman, a woman of value
My Mom has been a support to me all my life and has provided me with a positive role model. She has always been there for me and I have tried my best to be there for her.
We share a great many interests. My Mom has been an artist, an interior decorator, a clothing designer (for herself and all 5 of her children), and an extreme do-it-yourselfer - without ever watching a Home and Garden show or the DYI network.
My Mom has reupholstered more furnishings than I can count, has fixed the air conditioner (with help from a book she took out from the library), has grown tomatoes, tulips, roses, irises, and zinnias.
She painted our walls with artistic effects, such as the white branches in our entrance hall in our Brooklyn home when we were growing up. She made a fascinating corner mural in her bedroom by adhering printed fabric to one side of a set of Venetian blinds. She has been a recycler long before anyone used the term.
When we were young she took us to the Brooklyn Museum, to the huge main library in Brooklyn at Grand Army Plaza, for walks through the Botanical Gardens, as well as the remnant store, and her favorite shop was - the hardware store!
Even my Dad knew the tool box was all hers.
Her sewing machine was always accessible and she didn’t worry about leaving out the needles, pins, or scissors. We learned how to use them and when to stay away from them. The dining room table was often the craft table for me, my sibs, and the neighborhood kids. She taught us all how to make perfect hearts, paper dolls, Japanese lanterns, and snowflakes. We painted and glued colored paper to egg shells to make animals and whimsical creatures. We made panoramas in shoe boxes, even when it wasn’t for school projects.
With some guidance, I created my own doll and made her a fuscia-colored skirt that resembled the one Mom made for me. I sewed on individual strands of yarn for her hair. I braided her hair in a half pony - the style Mom used for my hair.
Mom has always been a talented and creative person. The words “L’Dor V’Dor” - from generation to generation - come to mind. She has taught me so much.
In her last few years our family and friends have all learned from her example, the importance of - being positive, maintaining a good attitude and focusing on the bright side of things.
She seemed to know intuitively to laugh, to keep trying and to be grateful for what we have been able to do in life.
My Mom turned 91 on April 1st. She’s lived a wonderful, long, full life.
Along with the many adventures of her own, she followed me and my husband to Hong Kong, for an incredible visit. We went to Macau, an island known for the gambling casinos. We don’t gamble.
We went to the movies and saw Superman. Loved it. It was a unique experience.
We went to China. We didn’t buy any souvenirs. But absorbed the culture, sights and sounds.
She followed us to South Africa and stayed with us for five weeks. We toured the wine country - Stellenbosch. We don’t drink. But we got the recipe for “Tipsy Tart” a great dessert.
Even in the late stages of her fatal illness she traveled 200 miles to my daughter’s wedding - a miracle … that some mortals had a hand in - and saw her granddaughter walk down the aisle and dance with her groom. In the smile on my Mom’s face and the shine in her eyes, I could see her dancing.
I will try to remember all the good things she has taught me and to share this with others … especially my own kids.
