and silently wait for my opportunity to bravely venture where I had not gone before. Once I became a young woman, my mother could never accept this part of me into her life as she was a strict dogmatic religious zealot, and it put a wedge between us.
Well, one things for sure, your mother is a very strong person who sticks to her beliefs, and you know what, as the saying goes, the acorn doesn't fall far from the tree - you mirror your mother's strength, and that's a good thing. You have to be true to yourself, and I know that you know that. My mother's about the same age. Sometimes I think that they become sooooo ridged in their beliefs because it is familiar and easy to handle.... change is very difficult for most 'seniors', it doesn't matter what the subject is. I also know that moms have a special relationship with their children that nothing or no one can extinguish, and so too it is with your mother, whether she acknowledges it or not. I'm sure many things are playing on her mind right now in this time of uncertainity, but in the quiet moments of tender memories, you are undoubtedly being recalled with the warmest thoughts of love and appreciation...how can it be otherwise, mothers are just 'made' that way. Love conquers all......take care.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.