Life's Close Ups

A little energetic lady, with a sparkling personality, packed full of vim and vigor, has greatly influenced me in many ways. She is my father's mother, Mrs. George E. Doench, whom everyone calls "Mom". Never once have I ever called her grandmother, for she thinks and acts fo young that it would not be a fitting name for her. Mom was within her a heart of gold, she is always willing to help the other fellow and never does anything for herself. Her ability to make friends is unbelievable, for every time she returns from a trip her address book is filled with names of interesting people she has met on the journey. 

Mom was a little lady, about 4'10'', and when I knew  her, a bit stocky in body build. She had the most beautiful long, black straight hair falling to her waist, when she let it down from the large full bun she wore on the back of her head. She had a curling iron (which was heated on the stove burners) and when she was getting dressed up, she would spit on a lock of hair and there would be  a sizzle as the curling iron met up with the damp hair. Then she would become beautiful with a fringe of curls encircling her face. She was always on the go--never stopping-- she always ran--never walked. 

She was a real doer! As I understand, she was a real leader in the cummunity besides having eight children and running a huge home. She started the P.T. A. at Hyde Park School, and went on to the other P.T.A. positions. The Eastern Star, (the female counterpart of the Masonic Order) and Plumber's Wives associations on both local and national levels took much of her time and talent. I remember Mom and Pop going on national conventions for both groups. 


Mom never spent a great deal of time on one thing. She liked to talk on the phone, but when she grew tired of the conversation or needed to do something--she would quickly say "someone is at the door" and slam the receiver down before you could say anything. She explained it was her way of bringing the conversation to a quick ending without hurting the person's feelings! Clever Mom-- she did many things I have never heard of before or after her!

Mom has always lived in a large house in East Walnut Hills, so that she is able to accommodate all of her enormous family when they come home to visit. In this house, Mom has an annual Christmas celebration every year for her entire family. Her gay an jovial spirit is cast over the whole party, which is the biggest event of the year for all of us. An immense tree ladened with multi-colored ornaments, a well padded Santa, and a kitchen filled with succulent roast turkey and dressing, make the evening a complete success. 

I never remember Mom attending church, however, she always made many references to God and the Good Lord and seemed to have a great deal of faith in God. She would send me off to Sunday School at the corner of Fairfield and Madison Road. I always enjoyed going to Sunday School there-- and I would assume that Mom and Pop belonged there. Upon returning from Sunday School, there would be a big family Sunday dinner with a roast chicken or beef roast amid plenty of gravy and mashed potatoes. Mom always said she needed to make the dinner, instead of going to church. 

As I grew older, I began to see what inner strength she had and how much I could learn from her. Whenever I had a problem, my Daddy would say to me, "Go and ask Mom what she thinks about that." Mom always had a good answer-- and the main theme was that God somehow provides and things always work out for the best. 

I am always inspired by Mom every time I talk with her about my problems or achievements. She never forgets the silver lining in the cloud and gives me a complete confidence and courage to face my dilemmas.