In memory of my mother
Marie Knoll Varga
Born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, died in Brownfield, Texas - December 7, 2009.
She was a brilliant, extraordinary woman - who was often my savior.
She was my anchor in a sea of chaos.
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Always guiding me in the right direction.
My very favorite photo, taken in Red River, New Mexico - before she was married. She lived with relatives who owned a resort there high in the mountains. The happiest years of her life.
She was a superb horsewoman, and often went riding up far above timberline.
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Later with my father John, before they were married. Photo taken in Atlantic City, NJ.
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Later with my father John, before they were married. Photo taken in Atlantic City, NJ.
White shoes?
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Wearing a genuine Miss Universe dress, previously owned by one of my glamorous showbiz cousins.
Once she dyed her hair chestnut brown, just to look different. BTW, She was an extraordinary pianist and my first music teacher.
This is typical of how she often looked.
Gypsy attire (I took this candid, unexpected photo)FIXED%20(1).jpg)
In Reno, Nevada
One of my favorites. I was 20, she was 45.
I was truly blessed having such a special mother.
I've previously shown all these photos, but I want to share them again. She always looked fantastic.
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Wearing a genuine Miss Universe dress, previously owned by one of my glamorous showbiz cousins.
Once she dyed her hair chestnut brown, just to look different. BTW, She was an extraordinary pianist and my first music teacher.
This is typical of how she often looked.
Gypsy attire (I took this candid, unexpected photo)
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In Reno, Nevada
One of my favorites. I was 20, she was 45.
I was truly blessed having such a special mother.
I miss her immensely.
Jon, sustained with memories
I can see your mother in you, Jon.
ReplyDeleteMy mother and I shared many interests. I was much like her - - but I also inherited bad traits from my father. I sure wasn't perfect.
DeleteYou were so lucky to have her! What an impressive lady. ❤️
ReplyDeleteIn retrospect, she was truly extraordinary. She always maintained her dignity and beauty, despite my father's violence and abuse.
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DeleteA stunningly beautiful lady, with so much class. You are fortunate to have shared her musical talent and good looks 😀
ReplyDeleteHop you are settled in nicely, and all is well.
Jo
Despite my mother's beauty and class, she had low self esteem. You'd never guess it by looking at her. I had extremely low self esteem,too, but I knew how to fake confidence. She had a charmed life, but often an unhappy one due to my father's abuse.
DeleteUnfortunately I'm undergoing some physical therapy before going home.
Thanks, Jo.
Hope 😁
ReplyDeleteA beautiful tribute to a beautiful lady. How blessed you were to call her, "Mom."
ReplyDeletePS - My own father passed unexpectedly on Dec. 6 of 1981 --and all these years later, that's a bittersweet day.
Losing a beloved parent is one of the most difficult and devastating things that can happen. December with the holidays, is especially difficult. My mom passed away a few days from my birthday.
DeleteLife can be cruel and unbearable....but we have some cherished memories.
She was stunning, Jon. I also can see her in you.
ReplyDeleteWe were very much alike and shared many similar interests. Admittedly, I wasn't perfect. I had some of my father's bad traits - but thank God I was never violent.
DeleteA very nice tribute to your beautiful mother Jon. We were both blessed with loving mothers.
ReplyDeleteYes Ron, we both had wonderful loving mothers. They really helped us and detracted from our uncaring fathers. Our mothers were the foundation of who we are today.
DeleteMary Knoll Varga was one classy lady.
ReplyDeleteThat was a time when appearance in public was everything, to look your best.
That’s the way our folks were raised back then.
Love the last photo of you and your mom, as if God is shining his light on both of you. :)
December is a bittersweet month for me as well, having lost my paternal grandmother that loved and took care of me after my parents separated and divorced when I was 18 months old.
Of course Ma had practice having raised my dad and his 11 siblings. Yes, grandma raised 12 kids and I was lucky number 13.
December 21st 1989 was the day we lost her, and Christmas isn’t quite the same after all these years.
-Rj
Thank you for such a beautiful comment ( your comments are always unique).
ReplyDeleteYour loving grandmother was undoubtedly a very special lady - - especially taking care of you after raising 12 children (my great grandmother had 12 children).
December is a bittersweet month - -
Unbearable losses....but treasured memories.
My father took that last photo. It was raining. As he snapped the camera, the rain stopped and a ray of sunlight appeared. Very unique.
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