"REETNINGS" A SHORT STORY IN CELEBRATION OF MOTHER'S DAY

"REETNINGS"

Does the name Rita McKinnon Olson ring a bell? I didn't think so. She never made the papers, received a "significant award", or accomplished anything of what most would consider important. She wasn't rich; she wasn't famous. She never enjoyed a moment in the limelight. Why on earth would the name mean anything to you? It certainly didn't ring a chord with me. Individuals like Rita just live out their lives to the best of their ability, never seeking, let alone expecting, recognition from others.

A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Rita lost her father George when she was young to the hands of a murderer. Although, given good reason to be bitter and resentful by this event, she remained an open, optimistic, and outgoing youngster.

Her mother Mary Edna nurtured and raised an exceptional child. Despite hardships that befell her in childhood, she was able to overcome all of these tragedies with an undefeatable resilient spirit.

She excelled in school, was high school valedictorian, and entered college at the age of sixteen. Her ambition was to become a writer and she pursued and mastered studies to this end in university. But, abruptly and to the amazement of all who knew her, before her education was finished and a career in journalism could be realized, she married Al Olson, a man she had met in her mid teens.

Their first baby died, along with her creative dreams and hopes for a degree. But, the marriage survived and finally, after five childless years, a son was born to the couple. In the years that followed, Rita and Al became the parents of eight additional children.

The promise of a better life and opportunity for each child and the guarantee of the best of educational advantages caused the family to move from the East coast across the country to California. In California anyone, for a nominal fee, could be taught and attain knowledge at excellent colleges and jobs were plentiful.

Rita was a wonderful mother, caring, doting, and always available with unconditional love for each of her children. She, obviously, was born for this maternal role.

As the children grew being an ever present Mom was less called for. Rita volunteered her time teaching catechism, visited and fed the ill in her parish, and, to her delight, was afforded the opportunity to head a small writing workshop in her community.

This classy lady gave her all to every endeavor she embraced in her life. She was a loyal and faithful wife for over forty years of marriage, watched her children mature and go out into the world-a doctor, a lawyer, a principal, a pilot to name a few. Each and every one successful in the fields they pursued. She welcomed a new generation of grandchildren and bestowed on them freely the true essence of herself-love.

Despite a long and hard fight, Rita lost her battle with breast cancer in the summer of 1984. She was sixty-three. Rita was buried in a quiet ceremony, mourned by those whose lives she touched with her warmth and generosity. She never made the papers, received a "significant award", or accomplished anything of what most would consider important. But, Rita McKinnon Olson changed my life in a most unexpected way and blessed me with the cherished gift of my life partner, her daughter Mary.

Did you ever hear of Gloria Subat Owen Leahy Koons? I'd bet you haven't. She too didn't achieve notoriety or fame. Although, she could be flashy and gregarious, the life of a party, she could also lapse into morbidity and depression, secluding herself from the world. Either way, it was of no consequence to others, or was it?

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Gloria was the last child born to Delta Fucich and Andrew Subat. She had two sisters and three brothers. The beautiful little girl was pampered and protected by her parents and older siblings. She did exceedingly well in school and extra curricular activities.

Her education was cut short before attending college, when she met and married Kenneth Owen, a prominent contractor. To the couple a son was born. But, the marriage floundered from the very start due to drinking and infidelities on the part of her husband. The young bride and mother took her small son, left the union, and got a divorce.

Always sheltered throughout her life, she was ill equipped to make it on her own, let alone raise a child. She and Kenneth rekindled their relationship and remarried. But, his destructive behavior hadn't changed and in fact grew far worse. His alcoholism was undeniable and soon into the second marriage he was accused of raping a young woman. Gloria immediately separated from him and soon after her divorce was finalized, Kenneth died of an alcohol related illness.

Gloria enjoyed the single life, while relatives cared for her young child. Then, when she was around thirty, she met the handsome and suave Captain Jeremiah Joseph Leahy III. They fell head over heels in love, married, and soon welcomed a daughter into the world. A son followed two years later.

Gloria and the children wanted for nothing materially and she enjoyed once again living the upper middle class lifestyle she knew so well growing up. But, to maintain this level of comfort and wealth, Jerry was forced to ship out a great deal of the time.

To the outside world the big house on Memphis Street and the well-respected family within personified the American Dream. But looks can be deceiving as we all know.

When the Captain was called away to different ports, Gloria too traveled. But the trips she made were psychotic journeys from reality. Tragically, the younger children were forced to join her on these excursions, as the older boy was, for the most part, away at school.

Manically driven, she would take the youngsters to this bar and that bar, on business she said. From this man to that man, all uncles she claimed. She knew no bounds when it came to having fun and little did she care what affect it had on the girl and boy in tow. Whether she did more than flirt and tease the male acquaintances she made in the lounges she frequented will never really be known, but what is fact is that on more than one occasion a drunk rebuffed suitor of the evening found his satisfaction on the top of a terrified little girl, her daughter.

The house stank, the rooms were filthy and cluttered with trash, the kids were dirty, hungry, and scared. In a darkened bedroom, Gloria either sobbed uncontrollably or lay with a vacant stare for hours to days. Days turned to weeks, weeks to months. She did not hear the whimpers and pleas. The sick and frightened children weren't noticed. Again and again she was off and again her children were made to accompany her.

Her marriage dissolved, all possessions were lost. Her addictive and self-destructive behavior plagued each child in one way or another. Gloria fumbled through her remaining days with questionable sanity. Why would she continue to put herself into position after position of detriment and heartache?

In the fall of 1999, Gloria died. She never was famous or gained notoriety. Those aims were abandoned a long time before. Of her three children, only her youngest son attended his mother's service. Some matters just can't be rectified, some transgressions never repaired. I know. I cry and think of my mother often.

I clicked on the computer, entered the recovery chat-room, and typed in a couple words. Thus began my relationship with Mary. From the moment we connected, we talked incessantly online and then, by phone. And despite each of us being from the opposite coast, there was little distance between our views and feelings on most every subject. It was love at first type.

Acquainting ourselves with one another, our backgrounds were discussed and, of course, our families were mentioned. Mary began to tell me about her mother. But to my amazement, she really didn't need to because somehow I felt Rita's presence and seemed to know what her daughter was going to tell me before she did. I had the strong sense that Rita had guided me to her child and was pleased I was now in her life and she in mine.

I didn't want to appear completely crazy to my new friend. I was reluctant to say anything. When I finally did venture to tell Mary about what was occurring in relation to her mother's spirit and me, she didn't seem at all surprised.

"Sounds like a Reetning to me," she said. "What's that?" I inquired. "Since my mother's death she visits some of us from time to time. It's usually to teach a lesson or to give support." "Far fucking out," was all I could say.

Sadly, regrettable circumstances soon manifested without warning. Mary and I became estranged and lost touch with one another. The confusion and longing we felt was palpable. It served no purpose to express our feelings out-loud because the relationship seemed hopeless and lost to us both. Yet, throughout this painful separation, one thing remained valid. Our love was steadfast and true and Rita was in the wings watching and waiting patiently for our reunion to take place.

As fate and her mother would have it, Mary and I remarkably beat the odds and finally in the autumn of 1999 we started a life together in New York City. On one of our first outings as a couple, we went to St. Ignatius' for a chamber music performance. Mary joked, "My mother would be so proud. Here we are on our first real date and we are in a catholic church."

While waiting for the ensemble to begin we glanced at the program. "Oh my God," Mary exclaimed, "Reception to follow in McKinnon Hall. That's my mom's maiden name." We casually dismissed the coincidence without further comment as we heard those on stage readying their instruments.

"It's going to be a lovely concert, Rita," we then overheard the woman in the pew in front of us whisper. "I'm sure it will be, Rita," her companion replied. Mary and I gave each other a startled side glance. "I wonder what mom wants to tell us, she's working overtime tonight," Mary quietly said and then, the music began. Of course, we talked at length about all that happened that night and what it might mean afterwards, but when nothing was revealed it was forgotten.

Busily we readied ourselves for the trip to North Carolina to meet Mary's second grandbaby. It was Thanksgiving Day. Despite a conscientious effort on my part to shake the feelings, I felt an overwhelming need to contact my mother. "She probably won't even know who I am. She's so out of it from what I hear," I told Mary. Gloria's life, for many years now, only existed within the confines of her small bleak bedroom and the even darker imprisoning cell of her severe mental illnesses. The power of agoraphobia, depression, and psychosis had enveloped her and from its tight grasp she would never be free.

She hadn't recognized me when I visited her last and deteriorating body and mind was too unsettling for me to witness again. She was a shell of the woman I once knew and I even questioned if her soul still existed or had long ago departed. I had stayed away since and made no other contact with her. It was useless. But I could not get her off of my mind that day and with Mary's urging, I finally agreed to phone her.

On the third ring an unfamiliar woman's voice answered. "Hi. I'm trying to reach Gloria. This is her daughter Cherie." "Hello there. How are you? Your mother and I were just talking about you not a minute ago," this stranger said. She then went on to tell me that they were laughing over some of my antics when I was younger. "Your mother can tell a story better than anyone I know; she's hysterical." "My mother," I questioned incredulously, "My mother is able to speak coherently? Do you mean to tell me that she is well enough to talk?" "Absolutely," the woman responded, "She does have her weak moments, but otherwise is still a fiesty old Southern belle." I was dumbfounded to say the least. "Please let me speak to her".

My mind rushed back in time. Decades upon decades fell away upon hearing my mother's strong hello. She sounded vibrant. She sounded alive. She sounded sane and in touch with reality. I sat down and listened hungrily to all she was saying. She missed me. She wished she could see me. And she was so very happy I was with Mary. "Wait. How do you know about Mary," I asked in disbelief. "Of course I know Mary. What do you mean? She is wonderful and I'm so glad you and she are together. I'd really love to have some pictures of you two though". I couldn't believe what I was hearing on the other end of the line.

She began to sob uncontrollably. "I'm so sorry for all I did to you, Cherie. Everything is true. Don't ever doubt what you remember. I did all of those terrible things to you. I let all of those horrible things happen. It's all true. Believe it!" She was imploring me, "Can you ever forgive me? Please, I beg you to forgive me for all I have done. I'm sorry. I'm sorry," she repeated over and over. "Momma, it's ok. It's ok. I promise." "But do you forgive me? Can you forgive me? Will you forgive me?" "Yes, Momma. Yes, I forgive you." "I love you with all of my heart, Cherie. You're my little girl and I'm so proud of you and what you have accomplished in your life and all you have overcome. I love you and cherish you more than you'll ever know. I love you. Always remember, I love you." I sensed she was getting tired and so, reluctantly brought our conversation to a close. "Hey, Momma tell me something. Who is that woman that answered the phone?" "Oh that's my angel, Cherie." "You mean your nurse. Don't you?" "No, no," she protested, "She is my angel!" "Well, ok then, let me talk to your angel, Momma. I love you."

The woman took the receiver back from my mother and said hello. "I can't believe the change in my mom. It's miraculous," I began, "Thank you so much for all you have done for her." "It's been my honor and priviledge to spend time with her. I'm the one who is thankful," she corrected. "Well, I am grateful nevertheless. She says you are her angel and I believe now that you are. By the way, what's your name?" "It's Rita. My name is Rita". I hung up the phone and went to Mary and held her tight.

"Your mother is with mine. It's unbelievable but fantastically true. She loves me and I love her and not only that, I forgive her. I really and truly think I do." For the first time in all of my life I felt what I imagined peace and serenity must feel like. I closed my eyes and whispered "thanks" to Rita.

Two days later as we drove in the North Carolina darkness a shooting star streaked across the sky. I shuddered as I felt something pass quickly through my entire being. In Texas my mother closed her eyes and drew her last breath.

In my absence, my mother's nurse was at the burial services to lend steadfast support to my disabled son. She never left his side. But, when we later looked through pictures of the ceremony, there was only a light shining next to him. No one was there. And even more astounding, when the family contacted the Home Health Care agency to pay for Rita's private nursing services, we were informed that no such person existed.

One day a few weeks following my mother's passing, I found myself brokenhearted and crying. Mary attempted to comfort me, but I could not be solaced. Finally, I blubbered in a childlike voice, "I don't want my momma to go to Hell for all the bad things she did to me. I'm so afraid she is going to burn in Hell. I don't want that. I don't want her to suffer." "Cherie," Mary soothed, "Do you think for a moment my mother would come to take her there? She's safe with her in Heaven. She's alright and at peace, Cherie because of your forgiveness and love."

At that instant, there was a "Reetning". Two spirits were affirming my dear Mary's reassuring words. I then knew beyond a shadow of doubt I had received the cherished gift of forgiveness and the peace and serenity it afforded. And I have Rita McKinnon Olson to thank. A woman who never made the paper, received a "significant award", or accomplished anything of what most would consider important. A woman I never met, but who along with my mother is with me now and forever more. And whose love and wisdom I pray I will always embrace and heed.

THIS STORY IS DEDICATED FIRST AND FOREMOST TO THE OLSON, HANSEN, LEAHY, AND SMITH FAMILIES. IT IS ALSO MY GIFT TO MARLENE LORRAINE WHO AS A SMALL TODDLER LOST HER MOTHER EDITH AGNES LORRAINE AND OFRA WRIGHT WHO AS A CHILD TEN YEARS OF AGE LOST HER MOTHER BELLA GOTMAN. FURTHERMORE, I WISH TO GIVE THIS PIECE OF MYSELF TO SANDRA BLAIR, MY DEAR FRIEND AND SOULMATE, WHO HAS SUFFERED THE MOST HORRIFIC OF TRAGEDIES THAT COULD BEFALL A MOTHER, WHEN A YEAR AGO ON MAY 6TH FELT FROM HER MATERNAL EMBRACE HER ONLY SON GABE WAS TAKEN IN AN INSTANT. I HONOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU THIS MOTHER'S DAY 2009.