A few years before
she perished, when I was already into deep adulthood, my mother said to me:
“Never trust anyone; not even me.”
I’ve forgotten what prompted the remark or whether she spoke it on
the phone or in person, but when I mentioned it to my wife she evinced great
and sympathetic shock and said again that it was clear why I had always been a
troubled person.
I do know that Mother’s comment came at a time when I was
impressively employed, (finally) parent to a lovely daughter, and there were no
business stormclouds on the horizon.
Initially and for a long time I resented what she said. Now I understand better what she meant. She was
distilling her experience in order to protect me and give me fair warning.
Paintings by FCB Cadell (1883-1937)
Above: A
Lady In Black and Gold
Below: White Roses In A Glass Vase
