Category Archives: Mothers

The Queen’s Name

January 28, 2023French Revolution, MothersDefamation, French Revolution, Louis XVI, Marie AntoinetteSarah Patten

The queen’s name is precious to me.
Louis XVI

My tenth grade word history book inferred Marie Antoinette was a careless spender. A novel I read in college portrayed her as a loose woman.

Of course that’s been years, and through surprising study and realizations, I came to discover that the messages those writers conveyed were lies. I usually roll my eyes every time a piece of entertainment comes out about Marie Antoinette because it includes slander–and the filmmakers make lots of money from it.

Usually, I can get over it to a reasonable degree. After seeing a recent trailer, though, I can’t this time. I immediately wanted to find production and say:

In the name of all that’s good, stop!

Stop defaming the name of Marie Antoinette.

Stop defaming the name of her husband, Louis XVI.

Stop defaming the names of their faithful friends and family.

Stop it!

As an American, I feel a strong inclination to make these strong requests. Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI contributed generously to the Americans during the Revolutionary War. I enjoy many freedoms, and so I feel that Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI’s efforts should be recognized and honored—and no more lies!

To those in the entertainment industry, academic circles, and different types of influencers who encourage these crude rumors–please, please stop.

“Portrait of Marie-Antoinette at Temple” by (maybe after) Alexander Kucharsky

Mother’s Day Eve, 2022

May 8, 2022MothersMother's DaySarah Patten

Instead of giving my mom a gift, my mom gave me an extraordinary gift yesterday. (And now I feel guilt!)

My folks seemed to call out of the blue–I have a feeling it was inspired though. My dad handed my mom the phone as he had something he supposedly needed to do at the moment (I think it was a prompting), so I could talk to my mom.

I was so relieved to hear her voice, and then I let my frustrations I had been holding in the last couple weeks just pour out.

My mom gave me the gift of her listening to me. She also gave her time.

Even though I couldn’t see her, I was ready to picture her wagging her finger at some of my terrible feelings that have crept up in the last couple weeks. She didn’t.

I then pictured her nodding and having that look of understanding. I could see it when I paused. She listened with empathy and totally got where I was coming from. I felt like a little kid, stomping my feet as I said, “It’s not fair!” She didn’t seem to mind though.

Once my inner Debbie Downer vanished, my dad came back on the phone. My mind was clear, and we could all have a reasonable and uplifting conversation.

My mom listening was so powerful! And she does it all the time by the way.

She can easily connect to animals. who come to her for advice!

She can lift a burden within minutes! It just comes naturally.

I love you, Mom! Happy Mother’s Day!

Photos from personal collection except the yellow flowers that come from pixabay.com.

Mothers vs. Voldemort and Other Bad Guys

April 1, 2022MothersHarry Potter, JK Rowling, Narcissa MalfoySarah Patten

To continue my thoughts about mothers being the ultimate influencers, I want to direct attention towards the moms in the Harry Potter series. JK Rowling made mothers a central theme, and the examples she uses are so life like.

JK Rowling has said that a driving force in writing the Harry Potter series was trying to cope with her mother’s death. The mothers move the plot along, and Rowling proves mothers can have the strongest influence over someone’s life. Some of the mothers in the overall story are horrible, and others are great heroines.

The Leading Ladies

The most important one is obviously Lily Potter, who sacrificed herself for Harry. In contrast, her sister, Harry’s aunt Petunia Dursley, shows her distain toward Harry, and encourages her husband and son to join in abusing Harry.

Of course, Mrs. Weasley, Harry’s surrogate mother, makes us feel so comfortable; yet, she shows us time and time again, she’s no pushover. That’s most evident when she kills Bellatrix Lestrange–perhaps the dark lord’s most loyal follower–after Bellatrix nearly kills her daughter.

We learned in The Half-Blood Prince that Voldemort’s own mom, Merope, abandoned him after his birth because she had no will to live. When Harry wonders why Merope, who had magic to save herself, didn’t choose to be there for baby, Dumbledore reminds Harry that Merope had been through unspeakable suffering, and “she never had your mother’s courage” (page 262)

Dumbledore himself had complicated issues with his own mother. Then, Snape, had a mother who was abused, but he discovered how powerful love is through Harry’s mom. (I’ll make a point here to say neither Snape nor Voldemort’s mothers really had anyone in their corner, thus showing the necessity of mothers receiving support.)

The Unexpected Heroine

The mother that surprised me the most, though, was Narcissa Malfoy–the mother of Draco Malfoy, Harry’s biggest school enemy.

But really, I shouldn’t have underestimated Mrs. Malfoy. Draco’s parents went to great lengths to get him whatever he wanted; using money and corrupt influence to position their son to popularity and good stuff multiple times. We witness Mrs. Malfoy working behind the scenes; most notably going to Snape to ask him to protect her son in secret so Voldemort wouldn’t know.

Toward Harry, she was cold, cruel, and threatening.
But then, to see if her son is safe at the end of The Deathly Hallows, she must save Harry.

For me, the moment she checks to see if Harry is alive is one of the most touching scenes in the book.

“You”

In the movie, Narcissa boldly approaches the playing-dead Harry. It’s acceptable for the screen, but in the book, Voldemort calls on her, just calling her “you” to check on Harry’s current state.

Then we read, “There was a bang and a small shriek of pain. ‘Examine him. Tell me whether he is dead.’ ” (page 725).

Harry and the reader have no idea who “you” is, (but know “his heart was thumping traitorously,”) until turning the page and are relieved after a few lines.

Shielded

When I read the lines, “Hands, softer than he had been expecting, touched Harry’s face” the first time, I relaxed a little bit. Then when reading, “Is Draco alive? Is he in the castle?” I was a little shocked but totally relieved! I was also touched by the line, “…her head bent so low that her long hair shielded his face from the onlookers. “

Shielded.

Harry’s mother had shielded him from the killing curse, and years later, another brave mother shielded him from Voldemort possibly performing it again at that moment.

I find it a little funny when Mrs. Malfoy announces to the crowd that Harry’s dead. It’s because of the perfect irony. I mean goodness gracious!

At the beginning of Harry Potter’s story, Voldemort actually gives Harry’s mom the option of moving aside before he has to kill her to get to Harry. Then he picks another mother–the mother of another boy who could have died at his hands–to check on his sworn enemy? Lord Voldemort is a complete idiot.
The Malfoys are dangerous and untrustworthy, but I was impressed with Narcissa never becoming a Death Eater (unlike her husband and other family members) and saving both Draco and Harry.

There’s the question if she would have saved Harry if it had not been for her wondering of Draco’s fate. Like in the book, I don’t think she would willingly do Voldemort’s bidding by eagerly volunteering–I mean she never received the scary Death Eater’s tattoo.

But whatever the case, her action of lying to the most dangerous dark wizard of all time, is impressive. This girl is good/bad. Super sneaky, smart, but most importantly, she was a true mother–something Voldemort still couldn’t grasp, even though years before, a mother had also brought about his downfall.

Voldemort gets what he deserves for his crimes–especially when it comes to disrespecting mothers!

True Morals

Though Harry Potter is a fantasy series, it reflects strong realities of the sorts of people one can expect to meet in life.

The Harry Potter series is a brilliant example of how some of the most powerful influencers are mothers. I can say amen to how the heroic mothers acted; sometimes well composed, sometimes ballistic, and sometimes acting gentle and making a few quick calls to save their babies–or another mother’s baby.

Images from pixabay.com

Peters, Pattens, and Preparing by Caring for Family

August 17, 2019Blog, Fathers, Mothers, My Family, Scriptures, True LoveAquila, Her storyline, Jesus, Priscilla, Simon Peter, Simon Peter's wifeSarah Patten

In my last post, I compared my parents to Aquila and Priscilla, and now I wish to compare my parents to Simon Peter and his wife. I believe that Mrs. Peter went with her husband on his missions—just like my mom and dad have gone together. Long before their missions, though, both couples took care of the wives’ mothers. This act is brave and selfless as well as good preparation to share the loving teachings of Jesus Christ. Perhaps it’s one of the best preparations. One memory that left a lasting impression on me was my dad driving Grandma to early morning appointments.

Because of such memories, I feel a connection to the story of Jesus healing Simon Peter’s mother-in-law.

And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.

And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them” (Matthew 8:14-15).

I’m in awe when I read this passage. I feel a warmth and inspiration that I can’t really explain.

Further reading:
Alice
Matthew 8; Mark 1; Luke 4

Featured Image from painting Christ Healing the Mother of Simon Peter’s Wife by John Bridges.

Alice

June 8, 2018Blog, Mothers, My Family, SiblingsSarah Patten

Note: The following narrative is from an assignment I did a couple years ago for a family history class. The family pictures with my commentary were added afterwards.

A Life Sketch Mary Alice Villiborghi Lund
Written by Sarah Patten from an Interview with the Alice’s daughter, Martha Jane Lund Patten

Mary “Alice” Villiborghi was born February 13, 1909 to Italian immigrants Maria Domenica Alberti and Virginio Lorenzo Villiborghi in San Francisco, California. She was the second of fourteen children. One could say that she could be seen as the oldest since she had a brother that was born the year before her and only had lived for two months.

Alice’s family lived in an Italian neighborhood. She had cousins who lived there too as well as grandparents next door. The family knew the value of hard work and the necessity of prayer to get by. Always industrious, Alice’s leisure time included her gardening, sewing, and canning— even in the last years of her life. She grew up during the Great Depression, and there were plenty of mouths to feed and children to dress. She and her family were into “recycle chic” (a fashion style that would be shared by her granddaughter). Flour sacks were used to make her brothers’ shirts. When those shirts wore out, the remains were put together in a yoyo quilt.

Alice was interested in secretarial work and even took a shorthand writing class in school. She made it to the eleventh grade but had to leave school to support her family. She went to work for a pants factory called Ben Davis where she sewed jeans with an industrial sewing machine. Her arms would ache from the labor. She worked there for sixteen years. An aunt suggested she apply for a job at the post office. Alice secured a job and formed strong friendships. She met Reuben Lund through a mutual friend.

Reuben was one of the most influential people in her life. He introduced her to a whole new world. He took her to concerts and operas which was a new experience for her. They enjoyed hiking together. They married June 26, 1945 at a courthouse in Santa Rosa, California. He continued to help build her confidence and believe in herself.

It was somewhat of scary experience when she discovered she was pregnant because she was nearing forty; she was on the older side, and there were greater health risks. Reuben made sure she got the best medical care. On February 24, 1949, Alice gave birth to a baby girl, whom they named Martha Jane.

Martha recalls her mother being “generous to a fault”. Alice would find people to help. She saved money and even bought Martha a petit grand piano. Alice’s gift is still being used today by her daughter, grandchildren, great grandchildren, piano students, and those who desire to touch the piano keys.

Here my mom is with a grandchild playing at the piano my grandma gave her. Grandma would have loved this picture!

Alice found life difficult in the 1980s when her husband died and her health declined. She moved in with her daughter and her family. But there were positive highlights—like the births of her five grandchildren. She brought laughter into the home, kept up with gardening, and planted roses around the house.

In the early 1990s, she spread her wings by doing what she had dreamed of doing for so long. Traveling. She took Martha and her family to Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Grandma Lund, with her grandchildren and my dad.Grandma conquered her fear of flying, but she was also brave by putting up with five kids all under ten!

It was nerve-racking because she was anxious to fly, but things worked out.

My brother helping Grandma Lund.

In fact, she was so much in awe, the family made the trip again six months later.

My very patient grandma helping me! These worthwhile trips could tucker us grandkids out, but she was always there to lend a hand!

Alice died June 28, 1991 and is buried next to her husband, Reuben, in Parkview Cemetery, French Camp, California. She left a legacy of faith, resourcefulness, and humor for her posterity.

Additional Notes:
Featured image is of my mom with Grandma Lund.

Special thanks to my mom for the interview and for supplying Grandma Lund’s autobiography.

All photos courtesy of my family.

From Maria Anna to Martha: 5 Influential Piano Gals

May 10, 2015Blog, Mothers, Music, My FamilyHer storyline, Music mothers, Women pianistsSarah Patten

Life would be a dark place if it weren’t for music. But thanks to creators of music, my world is a happier place. I’m indebted to so many but I have to say there are some standouts that paved the way for my love of music. Maria Anna Mozart, Fanny Mendelssohn, Clara Schumann, Jane Bastien, and Martha Patten.

Maria Anna Mozart

The two prodigy siblings. Wolfgang was inspired by his big sister, “Nannerl” Anna Maria

When we hear “Mozart,” don’t we think of the boy? Wolfgang Amadeus? We don’t think of his talented sister Anne Maria Mozart as much. Smithsonian magazine called her “The Family’s First Prodigy.”

Her father, Leopold–a court musician and teacher to his children–took them on tour across Europe. The trio was a hit and the siblings made a good team. She was considered one of the greatest pianists.. However, Leopold pushed more for his son’s performances as it was easier for males to break into a professional music career.

Wolfgang saw Anna Maria as a role model. She accompanied him and played his compositions. She also wrote her own, which we sadly don’t have today. But we do have their letters and her diaries which display affection and eccentricity.

I can only imagine her reactions when she opened to write in her diary and found that her brother was at it again. Pretending to be her and writing irreverent language that I rather not repeat.

Fanny Mendelssohn

Another equally talented sister. She composed over 460 compositions and sometimes they were attributed to her brother, Felix, because it just wasn’t proper for a woman to publish music. Felix, though, corrected Queen Victoria that a piece she was fond of was not by him but by Fanny.

She said that one of her piano works, The Year, was for “home use entirely.” Of course it wasn’t, but I’m sure she gave informal concerts to her family that the world will never know.

Clara Schumann

Clara was romoted by family and friends but had a mind of her own and showed the world that women are master performers too.

Clara’s career was promoted by her father and associates but had a mind of her own. She took the opportunity to show the world that female pianists can be equal to men. I thank her for that.

I’m not sure if I would have gotten along with her, though. But it was nice of her to promote the career of her husband, Robert. I also have to laugh that while he was a student and guest of her father, Robert scared her by popping out of nowhere dressed as a ghost. She wouldn’t fall in love with him til later, but perhaps that’s when the sparks started to fly,

Jane Bastien

Everyone in my piano teacher’s studio knew I was on the lowest piano level. (Some things haven’t changed much.) Even when I was promoted to second on the program, it was common knowledge.. For years, I was playing pieces by either Jane or James Bastien. When I saw other names such as Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann, I longed to be playing those composers—or any other composer however obscure. Anyone but Bastien.

HOWEVER……..

Jane Bastien is still one of my favorite composers. It’s evident in the Bastien teaching books that she’s a brilliant teacher. Thanks to her I was wowed and inspired by the other students who went up on stage playing songs by composers whose names I couldn’t pronounce.

I remember bits and pieces from other famous composers’ songs I eventually played, but I remember the very first piano song exactly I performed in my piano teacher’s annual recital—which of course was a Bastien song.

I became really excited when Jane Bastien was in a piano convention center in San Diego. She was a gracious, smiling woman, and I got to take a picture with her. Believe me, I couldn’t have been more ecstatic to meet her than meeting the Mozarts themselves.

Martha Patten

I’m honored my favorite pianist happens to my mom. She could have made big bucks but continues to share her expertise and expressive music with others. Here she is teaching a grandchild.

A Broadway performer said my mom could have made a lot of money if she moved to New York. My mom can play by ear, improvise, transpose music into different keys in a matter of seconds.

The piano could be considered her unofficial sibling when she grew up. Piano and clarinet are her specialties, but she can pick up other instruments. She taught band, choir, drama, and private piano lessons. Her students are complimentary of her and have invited her to watch them in performances. One student, now a junior high school history teacher, puts on an annual medieval faire in which his students get into character and show the oddities of the Middle Ages. At the beginning of one of his faires, he told the audience how he couldn’t remember much of what he learned in middle school but could remember the words to “76 Trombones” and then announced the presence of my mom.

I can’t count how many times she accompanied a variety of groups–school plays, choir, church functions, talent shows, weddings, and just all type of revenues. I know if my lifetime, she’s played and performed for hundreds of people. So I’ll just say thousands.

Her genius is impressive, but her trademark is how she makes the individual feel. I’m honored that I get a front row seat and hear her best performances–which are played at home.

By the way, she has composed but they are usually “for home entirely.” But my favorites are “Crib Lullaby,” “One By One and Two By Two,” and “No Tail.”

Sources and Links:
http://www.pianowomen.com /

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/maria-anna-mozart-the-familys-first-prodigy-1259016/?no-ist

Wikipedia

http://historyweird.com/1780-mozart-trolls-his-sister/

Images:
Mozart Family Portrait by Croce
Wolfgang and Nannerl Mozart by Eusebuis Johann Alphen
Portriat of Fanny Hensel 1842 by Moritz Daniel Oppenheim
Drawing of Schumann
Grandma Teaching another Prodigy courtesy of Douglas Patten