“Why are you going this way? We’ll be late!”
Oops. I’ve chosen to drive not along busy Fourth Avenue but a quieter residential street. Mom is decidedly frustrated with me. Again. She’s not fond when I detour from the plan.
We are popping by Public Furniture/Urban Trees – a temporary art exhibition down at the beach. On her last visit the “lovely Portuguese interpreter” told my mother there was going to be a Special Ceremony today at 2:00. Mom doesn’t want to be miss it. She’s hoping the mayor turns up.
It’s not that she wants to meet him. She wants him to recognize the importance of the artwork which will spur him to exert his influence to keep the pieces on site. The pieces? Gigantic logs and root balls of local cedar, maple and oak that have been transported to the beach and by the wielding of chain saws magically carved into mammoth “sculptural furnitures” by the visiting Brazilian carver Hugo Franca.
Once we arrive at the beach Mom is entranced. I’m not in the least surprised.This isn’t her first visit. It is her third. In a week.
The Importance Of A Curious Mind
While there’s no sign of the mayor there is a good turn out. People of all ages are crawling over the creations.
“Oohh isn’t this wonderful! The rope that separated us from the pieces is gone. Let’s go explore!”
She’s off. I point my key at my car to lock it and scurry off to keep up.
She beetles over to the one piece that miraculously is vacant.
“He was working on this just the other day. Oh smell! Isn’t that glorious?”
It is. The air is redolent with cedar shavings. After posing for a quick picture her mind is off and running.
“Now you simply must meet the Portuguese interpreter who translates for Hugo. Lovely woman. Is that her?”
Having not met her I’ve no idea. A woman waves a spritely hand at my mom and breezes through the crowds towards us.
In previous conversations Mom has learned the artist and his entourage will be here for just over a week, they are staying in a small motel far from the beach and the interpreter normally sells his pieces at one of his two galleries in Brazil. Today the two engage in an animated conversation about the successful turnout and the probability of most of the five pieces going to “live” in neighbouring cities.
“Oh the mayor should be here. We need to keep one of these here! They’re absolute treasures.” My mother is adamant.
We don’t just chat with her new friend. Of course not. Older friends are here as well.
Yes, it turns out that Mom knows a great many of the people here on this glorious Sunday afternoon at the beach. One of them insists she introduce her to Hugo Franca. She’s surprised they’ve not already met. So am I. Mom grins in response and eagerly heads over to a knot of people just up the beach.
As I watch her shake hands with the artist, a man I’d never heard of until this morning, it occurs to me that I’m witnessing something rather special. Once again my mother teaches me an important lesson. The importance of a curious mind. How did she learn about this exhibit? Was it in the paper, on the news or on her computer? I’ve no idea. However once her curiosity was sparked she found a way to get there (she stopped driving seven years ago) and then learned all she could about it and the artist. Of course she made new friends in the process; she always does. In short my mother continues to live a rich and remarkable life. At 91.
She toddles back to me five minutes later her face alive with delight.
“What fun. I’m so glad you saw this with your own eyes Kel. Now we can go home for a nice cup of tea.”
Thanks Mom. Last week it was blossoms, this week it’s sculpture. Any idea what’s on for next week?
Enough about my mom and the importance of a curious mind. I’m curious about you! What sparks your interest? Have you heard of Hugo Franca? Are you always in the know about local goings on or do you rely on the curiosity of others? Do you know anyone else like my nonagenarian mother? If you’d care to share, I’d love to hear.
22 Responses
i am beginning to think there is a book about your adventures with your mother – the lessons she continue teaching and the something about living a passionate life. no – i’d never heard of Hugo Franco – but I did google him – is this the exhibition in Vancouver – or near there? sounds like your mom is one of those rare souls that never meets a stranger – I have always admired that quality in people. I guess I’m too guarded to let that happen, but it is something worth working on! who knows where y’all will end up next! but I do know it will be an adventure –
Thank you Vickie. Mom will be delighted to hear that. She is always after me to do a book! Yes it is the exhibition in Vancouver and she is indeed one of those folks that never meets a stranger. She is the self appointed social manager for her apartment building as you can well imagine. I’m off to help her set up her patio garden this morning. Not to worry that it is pouring with rain.There’ll be pots and pots of restorative tea!
Kelly I cannot agree more that you need to write a book about your Mom. Your Mom has a rare quality in life, curious, adventurous, humor, and the list could go on and on. One very important characteristic in her life it seems she is not afraid. Is that her greatest gift to her family and those of us that know her through you? Don’t let fear hold you back in any aspect of life but rather put one foot in front of the other and march on. Take with you not your “smart” anything but instead a smile and handshake.
Thanks ladies, I learned something new today.
Wow Janice you are spot on. She isn’t afraid of many things. I’ll certainly pass on your kind words to her this morning. Am heading over to her place to assist with the replanting of the geraniums. Looking forward to that rainswept windblown 11th floor patio …
I think that your Mum needs to be declared a national treasure Kelly, she never ceases to amaze me with her energy and keen mind ! You have once again captured her spirit in a delightful manner !
So great Jane. Love that. “A national treasure.” Mom will be more than tickled pink when she hears that one! Thanks Jane, once again, for being such a great supporter.
Love, love, love. What an amazing woman and a good reminder that there’s no excuse for not getting to the show. Go, Mom!
Spot on. There is indeed no excuse for not getting to the show. Thanks J. I’ll pass on your kind words to the old gal this morning!
Like Lisa, I am in love with your mother and would like her to be my mother. Can we make the adoption process of the Dose Girls a twofer?! ;)-Ashley
Absolutely. Making the amendment as we speak …
Love hearing about your mom and her curiosity. I’m curious, but don’t go to many events. I can actually spend a lot of time wandering in our backyard. Wish I had your mom’s ability to enjoy crowds and people. I tend to shy away.
Oh Linda – that’s just fine. We can’t all be like her. The world would explode.
What a delight your Mom is…..and a blessing to all she encounters too! I’m always looking for fun and interesting things to do and see and photograph in our travels. The world is full of so many interesting and beautiful things….aren’t you lucky to be able to enjoy all these “curiosities” with your Mom!
I am lucky Debbie. You are so right. She and you sound rather like kindred spirits. I am looking forward to learning more about your travels. Bring it on!
I think your mum is an absolute treasure and a bundle of fun. I wish my mum would keep her mind as active. I’m always on the lookout for events and places to visit – I have a very curious mind.
I know you do Helen. Your mind is ever so curious too. Thanks for your kind words about my mom – I’ll pass them on to her this morning. Looking forward to reading about and seeing your next adventure!
Love this! A curious mind is probably what keeps your mom (and all of us) vital and alive and young. What a wonderful adventure…and such important lessons we must all learn. Thank-you!
Marcie truer words were never written.
I love that your mother feels such a sense of belonging wherever she goes. I love how she makes friends, how she connects old friends to new friends, how she simply becomes part of the scene. Now I know where you got your sense of adventure!
Mom and I worked together in her asian antiques shop for ten years Harmony. So many memories there – not the least of which was the two of us “talking loudly” at each other while customers were in the store. It was always over some small thing like “no we didn’t buy 6, we bought 4…” Customers would glance sideways and be obviously thinking “that young girl won’t be here much longer.” We’d smile, pause, and say “oh no worries, we’re a mother and daughter team. We do this ALL the time…” It was quite the adventure.
Kelly your Mum continues to delight me with her adventures and I love how resourceful she is in getting around. Thanks again for sharing your adventures.
Pleasure Karen. However that’s enough about the old gal for awhile. She tells me she’d like to read something different please…