33 Comments
User's avatar
Natalie's avatar

When I read your most recent piece earlier today, I realized I must’ve missed an episode. So sorry for your loss. Your beautiful, heartfelt story had me in tears! May the memories of your mom bring you comfort always.

Expand full comment
Susan Roman's avatar

Barbie, Sailorboy, F, I loved them all. A beautiful story, funny, touching, emotional. I wanted to just keep reading.

Expand full comment
Jessica Latour Isler's avatar

You carry her legacy by your beautiful writing, which is in fact also made by hand. <3

Expand full comment
Debra Fried's avatar

What a beautiful thing to say, and so eloquent too. Thank you!

Expand full comment
Patti McConnell's avatar

You are forever her daughter and may we all be ‘a little bit scrambled’. Sending love and light. X

Expand full comment
Debra Fried's avatar

Love and light received, felt, and so appreciated. And yes, here's to scrambled. xx

Expand full comment
Kate Hampford Donahue's avatar

Once again a story that has me in tears. Thank you for sharing the hardest - and sometimes funniest - times of your life! And God bless your sweet mom.

Expand full comment
Debra Fried's avatar

Thank you so much, Kate. xx

Expand full comment
Audrey Ferraro's avatar

Deb, we shared our childhood and our lives beautifully intertwined with loving memories of the parents we adored. How blessed you are to have had beautiful Florence for so long. Your mom was the essence of elegance and charm and she left a legacy of love that will live on in the hearts of all that were privileged to know her. Thank you for sharing your eloquent story, loved every word.

Expand full comment
Debra Fried's avatar

You said that so well. Such loving memories. Your mother. My parents. I'm so glad your father is alive - kindest guy there is. Thank you for what you said about my mother - she really was what you say and she loved and adored you. My first best friend. We'll always have the tree, no matter where we are. So much love to you.

Expand full comment
Laura Tannenbaum's avatar

Deb, you are blessed to have had such a wonderful mother. What a beautiful story. It hit home as I had a number of "custom" Barbie outfits from my grandmother. She bought Simplicity patterns and made the clothes using her sewing machine. I loved those clothes. Please continue sharing your memories and warming the hearts of your readers.

Expand full comment
Debra Fried's avatar

Oh, Laura. Thank you so much. You warmed my heart with your thoughtful praise. OMG, those Simplicity patterns! I used to love to study them and pick out things for my mother to sew for me. Thank you for reminding me. I love and appreciate that you read my blog. xx

Expand full comment
Karen Brodman's avatar

Oh, Deb, such a wonderful story about our mother. You brought her back to life for me for a brief few minutes, thank you.

Expand full comment
Debra Fried's avatar

Oh, Kar. I'll keep doing that for you, and you keep doing it for me. xx

Expand full comment
Karen Brodman's avatar

Deal

Expand full comment
Gayle Stafsky's avatar

OMG, I was crying so hard, I couldn't find the heart at the top of the email!!! What an ode to F. She would have loved this story!!!!!!

Expand full comment
Debra Fried's avatar

She liked you so much - she thought you were adorable. And she was right. xx

Expand full comment
Gayle Stafsky's avatar

Awe. I remember your mother so well and can hear her voice in my head. Did you read/write a eulogy for her? I did for my mother. I will write a part of it and send to you.

Expand full comment
Debra Fried's avatar

Oh, yes, please do! I'll send you mine too.

Expand full comment
Michael Paterson's avatar

Beautiful Debra. You Mom sounds wonderful. ♥️ So sorry for your loss.

Expand full comment
Debra Fried's avatar

Oh, Michael. Thank you so much. You know a thing or two about wonderful mothers. xx

Expand full comment
Danielle Fried's avatar

Please keep writing about her for us. I can hear and see her through your stories. Thank you, Aunt Debbie.

Expand full comment
Debra Fried's avatar

I'll write about her forever, honey. xx

Expand full comment
Tess's avatar

…just beautiful… 🩵

ps: thank you F for giving us your daughter.

Expand full comment
Debra Fried's avatar

Oh, Tess! XOXOXO

Expand full comment
Steve Polilli's avatar

Debra, what a heartfelt piece this is. I love how it moves so seamlessly from the box discovery to the birthday memory to the bittersweet recollection of visiting your declining mom. Thanks for sharing.

Expand full comment
Debra Fried's avatar

Thank you so much, Steve.

Expand full comment
Patricia's avatar

Thank you for sharing your mother with us, Debra. While I did not have the pleasure of knowing her well, I have always felt I close to her through your story telling and now even more so with this tribute. You have done her proud and she lives through you and through her beloved grandchildren. So sorry for your loss.

Expand full comment
Debra Fried's avatar

Thank you, PK. I used to read the emails you wrote about early twin days aloud to her and she was so impressed with your eloquence.

Expand full comment
Roberta Bowman's avatar

Oh Debra. . . What a beautiful tribute. All of your friends and faithful readers knew this day would come - when you would share the news of her passing in one of your signature posts. What a gift you have for bringing us into your family with si much texture, detail, insight and love. Here’s to the remarkable FF, and to DF, who will always be her mother’s daughter.

Expand full comment
Debra Fried's avatar

Oh Roberta! How beautifully said that is! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Expand full comment
Ruth Shaw's avatar

Another treasure that hit home. I had an extraordinary teacher mother, who had not a glamorous bone in her body. She was too filled with high standards, good manners and a life where love was always a verb. Her handwork still fills my house: quilts, needlepoint stockings and chair seats, doll clothes, cross stitch. She died 13 years ago on February 3, at age 97. Her name was Frances.

Expand full comment
Debra Fried's avatar

She sounds wonderful, Ruth. Here's to Frances. And thank you so much for your kindness about my piece.

Expand full comment