Mother’s Day
I think about my mom every day, not just around Mothers Day. I think of her when my daughter’s impish grin takes me back in time to my mom as a little girl blowing bubbles with Kris Kringle in Miracle on 34th Street, the same impish grin on her face. I think of her in the spring time-her favorite time of year. Soon the gardenias in my back yard will be blooming. I will fill my house with them the way my dad always filled our house with gardenias on her birthday. This photo of my mom, Courtney and me was taken aboard our family boat, Splendor. We shared such happy times as a family on the boat, my dad always taking pictures of us. I like this one in particular because it is very candid and casual and shows the naturalness of our life with our mom.
Now that I am a mother myself, Mothers Day has become a different kind of day for me. Bittersweet. It’s so sweet to be a mother to my daughter Clover and my stepsons Oliver and Felix. It’s bitter, of course, because my mom is not here to celebrate this day. This day that we would be celebrating side-by-side.
I remember that on Mothers Day, Courtney and I would draw my mom a picture and write her a little note. Recently, I was in our storage unit and I came across one of her diaries. Tucked in the back were all the sweet little notes and pictures we had drawn for her. She saved everything. It warmed my heart to see how carefully she had tucked those scraps of papers away.
My mom loved being a mom. Of all the roles she played, I do believe it was her favorite. The best way I know to honor her is to celebrate the mother that she was to Courtney and myself.
I wish all of you mothers and daughters a happy and beautiful Mothers Day. I thank you for loving my mom and for helping me continue to celebrate her talent, her beauty and her love of life.
Love Always,
Natasha
11 Comments
Gardenias: For five years, I bought one gardenia every Friday from a GRUMPY, tired florist. She became friendly after three Fridays and said she looked forward to preparing it AND to seeing me.
I’m glad you saw how much your mom cherished your drawings. Happy early Mother’s Day.
I love your mom, she is my favorite, the moment I Knew of her when I was a little girl until now that I am an adult I love her even more. She was so happy and full of live, I named my daughter Cortney, all though I don’t use the U, I do miss her so. My favorite movie is This property is condemned with Robert Redford. I love Daisy Clover also, sad movie but she was great. Love your mom, Gone too Soon
Everything you share about your mom I eat up because she was who I wanted to be when I grew up when I was a little girl. When I put on lipstick for the first time I thought of her transformation in Gypsy. She was mesmerizing in all her films and I loved them all. I know I’m only a fan but I have a lot of resentment over her death but it’s such a beautiful thing to see you celebrating her life.
My fav movie was Splendor in the Grass. Natalie was magnificent in that. I am part Russian as my mom’S mom was from Russia, lived in Manchuria China, married an American soldier by the name of Hopkins and came to US ON boat via the Phillipines Islands to San Francisco, Ca. I also got to see yr stepdad with Jill St John in Love Letters close up as in second row orchestra. He has been my fav actor since I saw him like age 10 in his first picture Beneath The 12 Mile Reef..
Every time I watch Natalie Wood in The Cracker Factory, the scene when she is speaking with the Priest. Makes me laugh, no matter how many times I’ve seen this movie. That one scene; I could be having one of the saddest days and it makes laugh. Natalie was an awesome actress and a woman. She was an example you can rise above your personal struggles, be forgiving, and be a survivor. She reminded me a lot of my Mom. I miss my Mom and I think of her all of the time. Mother’s Day is always the most difficult times, but I always remember. I was lucky to have a Mom who was a strong figure to show you can rise above the difficult times.
Happy Mother’s Days to our Moms who are being held by our Father Jesus Christ.
Love reading your beautiful blog posts celebrating your Mom. 🙂 Wishing you a very Happy Mother’s Day.
Dear Ms. Gregson Wagner:
Your thoughts and comments about your Mother resonate so deeply with me and, I am sure, many women who have lost their mothers. No matter what age, the wound never really heals. I am so happy that you are honoring your Mother’s memory with her favorite fragrance. I know she is looking down on you and your sisters and Dad showering you with love.
Best regards
Thank you, Natasha for all that you share with the readers, avid fans of Natalie Wood of your beautiful mother. As a kid, I faithfully watched your mom every Thanksgiving in “Miracle On 34th Street.” “West Side Story” holds a special place in my heart as me & my mom would watch that together & cry every time–even though we knew how it would end!! Recently my 12 year old son (my only) watched “West Side Story” at school as part of music class. I was elated to talk with him about favorite scenes as well as sing the songs!! It was great!! As I got older, I fell in love with “Splendor in the Grass” & “Rebel Without A Cause” (which is another movie I actually got my son to watch with me that he enjoyed!!). I believe that your Mom is always with you watching over you, your sister & your children. I wish you all the best, this coming Mother’s Day & always. Kind Regards.
It is so touching and so warms my heart Natasha, to read your Mother’s Day memories. All of
your pictures tell the story of love, devotion and how your Mom was truly honored to be blessed with both you Courtney and Katie. I remember an interview your Mom gave in the late 1970’s, she talked about waiting late in life to have children. I can remember the look on her face like it was yesterday; Natalie had made all of these great movies. But it was clear her life’s happiness and fulfillment did not begin until September 29, 1970. I’m sure your Mom watches over you with great pride. Love you Natasha and Courtney, Happy Mother’s Day
It touches my heart so, the love you’ve shown for your Mom. I know you hear this all of the time
but she is I’m sure in heaven so proud. There is nothing stronger than a mothers bond. That’s all I can think when I see all of what you’ve done in remembrance of your Mother. Your mother’s light so shined bright, though in God’s hand now, you still see so bright.
Happy Mother’s Day
Dear Natasha,
My Natalie still treasures the candle you sent to her. I think she will keep it forever. She is thrilled to be named after your Mother although for the longest time she thought she was named after my greyhound I had when I was single that I told you was named after your Mother too. A lovely name for a lovely daughter and in your case, Mother.