While I was suffering from a sudden onset attack of Bell’s Palsy that lasted for a month, from April to May, my son recorded an old song originally performed by the Carter Family. I like the sentiment of the words and the fact he recorded it for me. If you would like to give a listen, it is still on my website:
My son, James Patrick Gorham, has many similar interests to mine. I can’t help but think that my work, hobbies, and outlook on the world have had a profound effect on his own life choices. I taught Spanish at a small college and had the opportunity to bring James with me to a supper put on by the international (mostly Japanese) students. He was four years old. I can’t help but think that had an impact.
He has taught English at the college level for quite a few years now, and is participating in a doctoral program. His writings have won awards, and have afforded him the opportunity to go to London to address the annual International F. Scott Fitzgerald conference. He enjoys many of the same early New England writers and poets that I, too, favor.
He enjoys writing songs and has performed in the Rhode Island area. James, like his grandfather and many family members before him, loves music. He plays flute, keyboard, mandolin, and (like me) guitar.
James, like his grandfather, is religious. In leading a ministry for youth in his church he has reached out to the poorest parts of the country, leading his charges to tutor Indian children in reading; and traveling to the poorest sections of Philadelphia to work with the homeless; and going to the deepest parts of the south. He is sensitive to people from other backgrounds and has a love in his heart for all people who walk the earth, no matter what color their skin, or how “funny” their language. I guess the attitude is partially due to his upbringing, at least that is what I hope.
I just wonder how many other children follow in their parents footsteps, without actually realizing how their thoughts of how to act were formed. Of course, we have the generations of welfare mothers follow a trend of procreating without having given much thought to the outcome. People like that, whom I have known in the past, have no “man” in sight to help support their “issue.” Call it hormones or call it irresponsibility. That is an example of how NOT to emulate a parent.
Now, I am blessed with a lovely grandson. James and his wife have hundreds of photos of him, in settings all over the world, and all over the country. The family travels to visit old college classmates and relatives in Europe. Previously, I featured pictures of my grandson here, often. Then, a convicted sex offender joined my blog list, and well … go figure. Now, I just enjoy seeing the photos that I am privileged to see. He truly is the most beautiful child on the planet, and that is no exaggeration!
When Tim Russert was alive, there I was, every Sunday morning, watching “Meet the Press.” I still watch the show but not with the same gusto. Tim had a certain uncanny ability to zero in on any topic, giving supporting evidence for the point he was trying to get across, and delivering the message well. At the same time, he was always fair. It was with great joy and surprise that I have seen his son, Luke Russert, fielding political questions on television, this past week. This is another example of how a parent influenced a child, in a good and lasting way.
I am proud of my son, James, and all that he has accomplished, just as I am vicariously happy about Luke’s work now. Relationships change when children marry, but a mother never stops loving their own (child). There is a lot of satisfaction in having raised a morally upright person who is now setting a good example for his university students and others. My son and I came through the rain together. Today, I am happy to be reminded again to “Walk on the Sunny Side of Life,” whenever I hear his recording.
Patricia Cummings
