A Glimpse of My Mother at Fourteen
A Child
November 14, 1936
Among my mother’s papers was this handwritten school assignment, completed when she was fourteen years old. The poem, titled A Child, received the handwritten comment “Splendid” from her teacher, along with the date, November 14, 1936. I was struck not only by her beautiful penmanship but also by the values expressed in the assignment.
The poem speaks of diligence, responsibility, perseverance, and a willingness to put the needs of others before oneself. It suggests that a child who is willing to work, play fairly, and develop good character will grow into an adult who serves others with courage and integrity. Whether these were simply the ideals being taught in schools during the 1930s or values my mother already embraced, I cannot say.
What I can say is that these qualities described the woman I knew. My mother was never one to seek recognition or complain about life’s difficulties. She approached challenges with quiet determination, cared deeply for her family and friends, and believed that hard work and responsibility were simply part of life. Looking back, it is easy to see those same values reflected throughout the way she lived.
Finding this assignment among her papers was a reminder that the lessons learned in childhood can leave a lasting impression. Whether this poem helped shape my mother’s character or simply reflected the person she was already becoming, it offers a glimpse into the ideals that remained evident throughout her life. Nearly ninety years later, I can still recognize those same values in the mother I was privileged to know.
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