An excerpt from my book, "There was a Little Girl," the chapter titled, "Yankee Gal"....a short tribute to my mother, Catherine Schwobel Lewis.
Some of my fondest memories of my mother were the times she and I attended plays or performances together after I was an adult. My father was never much for that sort of thing, so I was glad to fill in and escort my mother to these events.
Once, because of my marketing position at RepublicBank, I was able to procure a couple of tickets to see a ballet featuring Mikhail Baryshnikov. We attended the performance at the University of Texas’ Performing Arts Center and were invited backstage for the party afterwards. Baryshnikov walked within arms’ distance from my mother. She was as thrilled as a little girl at Christmas and I’ll never forget the look of joy on her face. She was in heaven.
Another memorable performance was A Streetcar Named Desire at St. Edwards University Theater in the Round. I had asked for front row seats so Mom could hear. Jim Smith (of Rich Man, Poor Man television fame) starred as a very muscular, sexy Stanley. In one scene, Stella served him dinner in the kitchen. There were real pork chops, mashed potatoes and black-eyed peas on the plates. We could actually smell the food we were so close. Boy, did it smell tasty! In this particular scene, Stanley proceeded to have one of his temper tantrums and threw his plate. We got black-eyed peas in our laps and hair. Again, the look on Mom’s face was priceless.
When I took Mom to the Paramount Theater to see the play Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, I thought I had made a big mistake when the curtains went up. The opening scene was a pretty graphic depiction of all the goings on at the famed Chicken Ranch along with all alot of hootin’ and hollerin’ and dancing. Even I was a little shocked. I glanced over at Mom who had a dazed and confused look on her face. Fortunately, she got into the spirit of the raucous play and we ended up having a great time.
There is not a day that goes by that I don't miss my mother - and she's been gone for over 20 years now. Ours was a complicated, sometimes difficult, relationship - aren't they all? Yet I'd give everything I own for one more play with her...one more conversation...one more head full of black-eyed peas.
Happy Mother's Day, Mom. I love you.
