Mama

I really feel that Mama was a free spirited person, not only growing up, but actually, for all her life. True, that spirit was, perhaps, a little stifled by the austere life of the “Bruderhof”, or maybe because of how she suspected the “Bruderhof” wanted her to act. No matter which, most of the time she lived her life consistent with the life one would expect an adult in the Community would act. But, on those rare occasions when she was allowed a time away from the stern and confining atmosphere of the “Bruderhof”, Mama did spread her wings, AND SHE DID FLY!

I do not remember the date of Luke’s son Galen’s wedding (I hope to find out and include after editing this section), but I do know that she was in her eighties. The wedding was held outside on a beautiful, though cool, summer day. Joanna, the bride, was beautiful, the groom was anxious, Luke and Joanna’s father were nervous, the food was sumptuous, the ceremony was proper, BUT, and I really want to emphasize the but, MAMA WAS THE STAR!!

After the bride and groom had their moment in the sun, Mama, the exuberant octogenarian, took over! Oh, she did not mean to upstage the bride, she was merely in the moment. Transported back to France, to her former life when she danced with Charlie Chaplin and played tennis with the King of Sweden (we have a picture of her playing with the king), back to a time before wars, emigrations and years of hardships and suffering.

When the music began, so did Mama! Mama loved music and had an ear for it(you can see that in the musical abilities of her children ). She just reacted to the allure of the music and her spirit blithely flowed with it. Mama kept up with all the twenty-something men that had the nerve to dance with her. One young man dropped to his knees bowed with obeisance after dancing with her, paying homage to this eighty-something with the energy of a teenager. Before I continue this story, I want you to understand that alcohol played no part in this scene of joy and excitement. Only the simple act of opening the cage door and allowing the spirit freedom.

There was a conga line, (Mama was very near the front of it) and Mama dressed in the 17th century garb of the “Bruderhof, ankle-length, complete with a kerchief on her head, where she had to be stopped from jumping into the pool with all her clothes on. It happened every time the line snaked close to the pool. Though it was summer, it was quite chilly, and perhaps that was how we were able to prevent her from diving in. (We had other reunions where she did dive into pools.)

To be sure, the wedding was, indeed, beautiful, Galen’s in-laws were gracious, the atmosphere at the “Greek Wedding” was festive, but if you would ask any of the attendees what they remembered over all else, there would be a resounding reply. MAMA!!!!