Tag Archives: Loss of a Mother

When Everyday Objects Become Sacred

An artist remembers the loss of her mother through photography

After artist Beatriz Ruibal lost her mother, Carmen, she discovered that her grief was painful and slow. Two years later, every inanimate object in Ruibal’s home became a reminder of her mother’s death, and Ruibal found that she couldn’t escape from … Continue reading

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“Mama Liked the Roses” by Elvis Presley

A loving song mourning the loss of a beloved mother and appreciating all that she did in life for her son

When it comes to memorial music, it seems that The King is still one of the best around at crooning out heart-wrenching ballads that reach out and grab the soul. In his 1969 song, “Mama Liked the Roses,” Elvis’ gospel … Continue reading

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 “Mama You Sweet” by Lucinda Williams

A beautiful memorial song that encapsulates the physical and emotional severity of a daughter’s grief and love for her mother

On her 2007 album, West, one of my favorite singer-songwriters, Lucinda Williams, released an intensely beautiful song about her love for her mother and her grief over her death called “Mama You Sweet.” “Mama You Sweet” starts with the repetition … Continue reading

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“Kaddish” by Allen Ginsberg

Allen Ginsberg memorializes his mother's struggle with mental illness in his spiritual masterpiece

When readers discover beat poet Allen Ginsberg, they often first come across the poem “Howl“. The elegiac rhapsody was (in)famous in its time for its explicit language and an ensuing obscenity trial that, ironically, only threw Ginsberg’s work straight into national … Continue reading

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One True Thing by Carl Franklin

Just in time for Mother's Day 2014: A daughter helps her mother fight cancer in the Carl Franklin film

As Mother’s Day 2014 approaches, we’re consider what we love and respect about the woman who has consistently given us so much. Yet, for some, Mother’s Day doesn’t present an opportunity for easy admiration and rosy memories; for some, Mother’s … Continue reading

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“How I Knew Her” by Nataly Dawn

A tribute song about the loss of a maternal figure

“How I Knew Her” takes listeners on a journey of grief and self-discovery as the titular song off Nataly Dawn’s 2013 solo album. The album itself was conceived as a heavily autobiographical piece that reflects the artist’s upbringing as the daughter … Continue reading

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