My Introduction

My mother always said that we would write a book together.  She had planned to write "her story" and she had many attempts, starts, fits and no completion.  She always wanted my opinion on the latest idea or advice on how to put "her story" together.  She would ask me if I thought she should tell the whole truth of her life.  Well, I believe that the most interesting and engaging story is one that is truthful.  But now that she is gone it is left up to me to make those kinds of choices.  I wished I had paid more attention to the stories or at least taken notes.  Unfortunately I assumed I would have lots of time to hear the stories again and pay closer attention.  But time has a way of slipping on without us noticing.  And one day I realized my mother had grown old and was forgetting.  Then another day and she was gone. 

My mother lived a unique life having been raised in Chicago with her parents for part of the year and sent to live with Aunts in New Orleans for the other half.  She loved both cities and both families.  But the division had always caused her a lot of anguish as where ever she was she missed the other.  Nevertheless, both were thriving, vibrant cities and she grew-up a lady. 

I will be incorporating a personal, social and family history to tell her story.  Some of it will be written by her and most will be inferred by me.  History informs the decisions of our life.  Thus, I believe that it is many of the surrounding events that channel us in certain directions causing us to make it our life.  Therefore, I will tell the history surrounding my mother through world events and rapidly changing social structures. For it is in this chaos that she was the firstborn child, the wife of three men and the mother of three children.  Sounds quite normal at first glance but I assure you there will be some surprises and twists, some secrets and betrayals, some longings and some revelations.  For this is my mother and although I called her mom, others called her TIGER for that is what she was.  And there aren't many like her because "Tiger's are so seldom."