I drove 127 miles each way today to mow my Mom's lawn.

[givemebackmycountry]

So, my Mom is 79 years old.
She was born in 1932.
She was telling me today, that she remembers when her father got “laid off” and he walked his neighborhood in New York City taking fifty cents to string a clothesline in people’s backyards.
“AND he did a good job!” she added.

Then she said to me “He was still fighting back then”

See, that’s my grandpa John.
I’m named after him.
He died when I was about 11 years old.
He used to call me “The Champ” and when I was four or five, he gave me a pair of boxing gloves that would fit my little hands and he signed them.
“To the Champ” Jack Brady.
He used to fight under that name.
Jack Brady.
Can you get any more Irish than that?

He sparred with Jack Dempsey, and my grandpa was a BIG barrel chested Irishman, a hard drinking man, and a kick ass Democrat.
From what I've heard, he would work the neighborhood beer gardens and bars, and he would recruit people who would listen to him to vote for the Democratic party come election time.
If they gave him any shit, or if they spoke ill of the Democrats, I’m guessing he would kick their ass.
And then, either way, he would join them in a beer.
If you were with him, he was buyin’.
If not, then you were buyin’.

The year my Mom was born, Herbert Hoover's popularity was falling as voters felt he was unable to reverse the economic collapse.
Franklin D. Roosevelt used what he called Hoover's failure to deal with these problems as a platform for his own election, promising reform in his policy called the New Deal.

The “New Deal”
How cool was that?
He won by a landslide, and this was the first election in fifty six years in which the Democratic candidate won a majority of the popular vote.

I drove 127 miles each way today to mow my Mom’s lawn, which looked like the rough at the U.S. Open.
I was sitting in a chair in her garage in Florida, north of Tampa, sweating my ass off and trying not to have a heart attack at 56 years old.
My Mom told me that my Grandpa used to hang clotheslines for fifty cents.
And that he used to kick ass.

It occurs to me that my Grandpa had what we need right now.
And it also occurs to me that my Mom, who has been around since 1932 has some stories to tell if you hit her with the right questions.
Goddamn, when I asked her today if she knew what a “hedge fund” was she replied quickly “Yeah, it like hedging your bets, either way you win”.

I’ll continue to drive 127 miles each way to mow her lawn if she shares shit like this, and may I add that I love her more each day.

[Poll_Blind]

1. Now that...is an excellent post.

:thumbsup:

PB

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. Your mom raised a great kid!

:hi:

[REP]

3. My mother was born in '34 ... and I'm 46

Her father was in the Rainbow Patrol. He was a carpenter; he taught me how to build stuff.

[AverageJoe90]

4. I think you deserve some real kudos for that. =)

'Nuff said.

[SnoopDog]

5. I too use to do anything for my mother....

Thanks for your story..

[madmax]

6. Trust me

You will never regret it. I wish I had talked with Mom when I had the chance.

Mom raised a good man. Thanks for posting. :hug: for you and Mom.

[Booster]

7. Tell your Mom thanks for raising a really nice guy.

[malaise]

8. I'm betting you mom is one happy lady tonight

You're a good son :grouphug:

[Sal Minella]

9. What a great post. Makes my day! n/t

[madokie]

10. hell I'm ready to drive all the way from oklahoma to help you

My dad was born in 1897 and he could tell and did tell us some stories of how it was in the teens, roaring twenties and the dust bowl days. How at the ripe old age of 15 he and his 17 year old brother had their own whiskey still making money hand over fist. Back when he was a kid all a kid could make working for someone else was a quarter or so a week and that was sun up to sun down 6 day weeks too, mind you a loaf of bread cost a penny then to put it in perspective. Thats why they built their own still cause they could make way more than that making whiskey.

[MADem]

11. You are a fine son. I am pretty certain she's proud of you. nt

[CleanGreenFuture]

12. Simply love it!

[The Midway Rebel]

13. Nice work!

K&R

And you take it easy on your ticker.

[Kaleva]

14. Great Post!

[Snoutport]

15. You're a good boy! My mom broke her foot in may and her wrist last week

I've been driving the 25 miles to her place on a regular basis. But, you know...it is cathartic. I am really enjoying helping my mom and giving her a little payback.

I'm glad you're enjoying your mom time too. :0)

[jtuck004]

16. K&R. And a great post. n/t

[Walk away]

17. I love everything about the post except that you are 56....

and mowing a lawn in Florida in the middle of the summer. Can't you hire a local teenager to do the mowing while you record your cool Mom's stories.

[SoCalDem]

21. Yep.. that would be my suggestion too..

Arrange for a yard service for her, and drive down there to visit & supervise their work...from inside a cool house:)

[K8-EEE]

26. OMG you guys 56 isn't all that ancient!

I'm 51 and hike up to the Hollywood sign most days -- even in the summer! Exercise is a good thing.

[pecwae]

34. For real.

I didn't sit down when I turned 50 and have no intention of doing so when I turn 60. I can do almost everything I did at 20. I'm just a tad slower at some things and use a lot more caution. If I let the weather stop me I'd never leave the house.

[Enthusiast]

46. You are fortunate.

Some of us can't.

[Walk away]

50. I bike and swim all summer and I'm 57 but....

Mowing a lawn in Florida summer heat is a whole different thing. I am not rich but (even here in northern NJ) I let a professional do that kind of work. Life is short! I would rather spend the time with my Mom in the AC talking about what's important.

[Pacifist Patriot]

43. Remove the 56 reference

There are times of the year here in Florida I think everyone should just let the grass take over while we lie around in the a/c or a pool. :-)

[Dappleganger]

44. The problem with local teenagers...

is that they can't visit your momma for you and tell you if she's ok, and they don't mow the lawn quite as well as you would for your elderly mother. That, and they usually expect payment which isn't in line with the work done.

[SheilaT]

58. My first thought upon seeing the headline

was, Just how much does that cost in gas money? Why NOT hire a local kid.

56 may not be all that old, I agree, but given how hard it is for teens to find a job, any job right now, it would be a much better thing to hire some local. Really.

Go ahead and visit your mom as often as you like, but provide some employment to someone who really needs it.

[Scottybeamer70]

18. Beautiful post........thank you!

I'm very close to y our mom's age, but have no family left. Your story touched me. Thanks!

[sce56]

19. Your lucky your Granpa was able to tell you those those stories!

My dad fought when he was young back in the late twenty's to thirty's I seem know he fought around the country back then he had pictures from Chicago and New York in his scrap book, and back then 13 rounds was thirteen rounds or when someone dropped! So when I grew up he had problems from the brain damage boxing caused. He also fought Max Bear Sr. in exhibition during WWII. Boxing caused me lots of problems when I was young a terrible sport to destroy a persons health! When My father had a stroke in 87 the doctor said it would have killed him if not for the boxing injuries with excessive fluid around the brain.



My dad on the left sparing back in the twenties.

[frylock]

20. great post! made me smile..

knr

[Dystopian]

22. Beautiful ....

My oldest son is like you..
The only difference is 120 miles and 18 years.
You warmed my heart...
Joy!

Thank you for sharing...


peace~

[u4ic]

23. Wha???

You're a liberal. Aren't you supposed to be living in her basement? ;)


:thumbsup:

[JDPriestly]

24. Wonderful story. Beautifully told.

[K8-EEE]

25. Totally loved this post.

Relate in so many ways! Thank you for this.

[pnwmom]

27. I don't believe you.

I don't believe you're going there to mow her lawn.

Anyone could mow her lawn.

You're going there because nobody could love her like you do.


:yourock:

[jwirr]

28. We should all be taping those wonderful old stories of survival. I

worked with a 96 year old woman who could remember even small details. Her dad died young and she told the story of growing up with just her and her mother. She said that the workers from the packing plant her father worked in helped out by burying her father, bringing meat from the pack and when they started a restaurant were their best customers.

She also told me that she worked for the Jewish families in the neighborhood on Saturdays so that they could fulfill their religious obligations. They paid her to cook meals etc.

Historical societies all across the country are trying to get these stories before it is too late. They have also been taping the stories of veterans.

Thank you for your mothers story.

[WillyT]

29. Most Excellent Post !!! - K & R !!!

I think we might be related.

:D

:hi:

:kick:

[urbuddha]

30. Great post ! That is the reason we are here, to help other sentient beings.

If only we all realized that. All of the best to you.
Take gentle care.

[democrank]

31. Terrific...

One of the best pieces I`ve ever read at DU.

[B Calm]

32. Hell man you should be a writer. Great post!

[mikeburetta]

33. mom

gotta love our mums..for a lot of years on my birthday id take her out to dinner saying.."i didn't do much that day way-back when but you certainly did mom."

[MissDeeds]

35. What a beautiful, moving post

I hope you share this with your mom. It's a wonderful tribute to your mom, your grandpa, and a way of life that I fear is gone.

And I agree with others here, if you aren't a writer, you should be. Wow.

K&R and bookmarked.

[kentuck]

36. Excellent!

kic and rec

[lunatica]

37. Thanks for posting this.

kick'd and rec'd

[TomClash]

38. Two points

Wicked cool retro post.

There ain't no Democratic Party like your Grandpa had. It's been acquired by hedge fund managers and investment bankers.

[dipsydoodle]

39. Good on you

Mum's deserve such gestures.

[Tom Rinaldo]

40. Lovely post. I already love your family. n/t

[blueamy66]

41. brought tears to my eyes...thx

if my 1/2 Irish Mom was still alive or my 100% Irish Grandma was still alive, I'm sure that both myself and my fiance would drive that mileage to cut her grass.....

lovely post

[Motown_Johnny]

42. one of the best posts ever, thanks for sharing that

[Enthusiast]

45. K&R!

We have New Deal now too. A new New Deal, one where Republicans masquerade as Democrats so they can allow the wealthiest corporations to go without paying ANY taxes. And it's working out great.

[graywarrior]

47. Awesome, awesome story!

[hfojvt]

48. well I certainly like the line about the Irish

my mom's dad was named Jesse Brady.

and I eon't be leaving here without a souvenir http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P60g2Xhyl7I

Also, btw, Jesse's dad was John Brady and his obituary in 1916 said "he was a staunch Democrat". He was born in 1840 though and I don't think it was a good thing to be a Democrat in the 1860s.

[bear425]

49. I really enjoyed reading your post. Thanks! k/r n/t

[Liberal_in_LA]

51. k&r

[bertman]

52. You're a lucky man. Thanks for the post. And please don't have a heart attack. nt

[patrice]

53. "either way you win" = you end up with the lion's share of the REAL estate. nt

[loveandlight]

54. your whole family sounds great, right on down to you

Great that you are helping her out, and learning things as you do it. Oral history, best way to keep history alive. Passing it from generation to generation.

[marlakay]

55. I am irish too

My mom was born in1928 and i am your age born in 56...

My mom lives two states away so i dont see her as much. She is taking amtrak up here to visit next month.

My dad who has been gone for 11years was a fighting dem irishman...not a real fighter but always involved in news and elections. He used to yell and scream at tv over things done so i was gad he didnt have to see the Bush years...he probably would have had a heart attack over that.

That is nice of you to go so far for your mom. Old stories are great.

I think people helped each other out more then. It feels like today most peoples attitude is so long as i have my piece of the pie its ok.

[roguevalley]

56. your folks sound like mind. your mom and g. dad are heroes

they did the right even when it hurt. hug your mom for me. tell her someone in alaska loves her and ASK HER QUEStIONS ABOUT HER LIFE! do it before its too late. she will amaze you with her diversity and wisdom. the young need to talk deep and long with their elders.

[stevedeshazer]

57. One of the best posts I've ever read here.

I'm the same age as you and we lost Mom last year at 82.

Now my brother, my only sibling, has brain cancer. Yeah, it's terminal. And he has three little kids.

But, that's for another day.

I took my mom to the store every Saturday for ten years after she could no longer drive. Numerous doctor appointments, too. And I'm glad for every minute of it.

Peace.

[rbnyc]

59. Thanks for sharing that. (nt)

[datadiva]

60. Wow

What a wonderful post. I wish my folks were still around to tell their stories. And what a wonderful son you are!

[Whisp]

61. Really enjoyed reading that, thanks

[glinda]

62. Similar situation with my folks. Two hour drive each way for chores. Advice:

Plan trips to sit with her and cherish the time. Hire a mower person. Usually there are Senior help referrals. Sometimes kids do it for free.

[Beacool]

63. Great story.

Your grandpa and mom sound like wonderful people. But, wouldn't it be better for your own health to pay some kid to mow the lawn? Still drive to your mom's house, but instead of sweating your butt off you could be watching the kid mow the lawn while you and your mom have a nice glass of cold ice tea and she can tell you some more stories.

:D

[tooeyeten]

64. Wish they were around

You reminded me of my own grandparents and their stories of the tough times, and how if it wasn't for Democrats and FDR, our family would not have fared so well over the last 80 years. They were tough stock, worked hard, belonged to a union, and voted every election no matter what.

[Zoigal]

65. Super kudos to you, John.

From an eighty two year old who sees very little of her son who
only lives thirty miles up the road. I know it would have been easier for
you to hire someone to mow the lawn, but IMO it's was worth it to
take the trip. You have no idea what a good feeling it gave your mom....z

[RebelOne]

66. You are a really great son and I know your mom appreciates you. n/t

[myrna minx]

67. I love this post and your family. K&R.

Here's to the kick ass American Irish working class. :toast: May the road rise with you.

[gtar100]

68. Difference today... we need to fight to take the Democratic Party *back*

I'm sure you're grandfather would agree. All this talk about not voting because both sides suck and really what we need to do is take back the Democratic party for the progressives and liberals of this country. It's our best chance if we want to avoid rebuilding a whole new country in 100 years or so.

[dan shays]

69. Where's Grandpa when you really need him??

It's soooooo true: Dems used to have way more fight in their bones. Of course, old line ward bosses bent the rules a bit too, but it was all in the name of.....well, class war! Guess who's winning the class war now? Even Warren Buffet isn't afraid to call it as he sees it. Where's Grandpa today? Hello?

[blaze]

70. Get your Mom on Skype!!!

I talk with my (86yo) Mom almost daily.... There are gems packed in every conversation!! Today I learned that Grandma had a black cocker spaniel named Dinah and her Dad had a newfoundland name Hero... we're back in the 1850's. In the blink of an eye.

[WCGreen]

71. That so reminds me of my mom...

She was fiesty and we lost her way back in 1990. She was born in 1932. The cancer got her.

She faught with the fierceness of an Irish woman.

I use to chide her, tell her that she must be a republican and she would give me this look as if she was diwownin me...

She never told me one way or another, but from the background she came from, I know she was a democrat.

But she faught for me, faught her body and walked out on my old man who was a drunk and beat on her.

You story made me tear up a bit becauseI would have loved to drive 127 miles one way just to cut her grass one more time...

[defendandprotect]

72. A K/R -- and ...

a HEART for you and your Mom -- !!!

Goddamn, when I asked her today if she knew what a “hedge fund” was she replied quickly “Yeah, it like hedging your bets, either way you win”.

I’ll continue to drive 127 miles each way to mow her lawn if she shares shit like this, and may I add that I love her more each day.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

73. Fabulous story, fabulous sentiment

I totally get your wanting to mow your mom's lawn. You two have a connection, and the fruits of your labor remind her of the love that passes between you until the next time the grass gets high. My 90 year-old mom died this past 4th of July, and I will never regret or forget the past 15 months I had her living less than a mile away. I still remember the Adlai Stevenson button she gave me to wear to school when I was in 4th grade when he ran against Ike. Or when she said in 2008, "I never thought I'd live to see the day when I vote for a black President."

Your mom's wisdom and spirit have plainly passed along to you, John...you're a good son and your mom is proud of you.

[maddiemom]

74. Mowing Mom's lawn

Great anecdote. You're to be commended. My mom is now 91 and in a nursing home, too far away for me to visit very frequently. My brother, however, visits on a daily basis since he's been retired and makes sure she eats at least one good meal a day. While she was still at home, he took care of things for her as you do your mom (not nearly as long a drive). I lived closer to her then and, being a teacher, had time in the summers to help her out. When visiting her, I am always amazed at how neglected many of her fellow residents are, pretty much, by their families and desperate to talk and visit. This is a higher end nursing home, so I guess many of the families feel they have done enough. The staff feels that my brother is virtually a saint for the time he takes for her.