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Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Happy Birthday, Mom!

My Mom passed away in 1998. She would have been 89 today.

I was a pretty bad son, but she loved me and was good to me, even after I let her down.

Kurt Vonnegut liked her, too. He liked her so much he even dedicated Slaughterhouse Five to her. That was the book that made him famous.

As many of you know, my Dad liked to drink. During one particular binge, my Mom was very upset and called Vonnegut, asking him to speak to my dad. They were war buddies who went through a POW camp together, so they were pretty tight. Vonnegut promised he'd call that very night.

And he did.

He was drunk, too.
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10 comments:

  1. AnonymousJuly 31, 2013 at 12:19 AM

    You're mom was Mary O'Hare?,wow! Very cool! Happy Birthday Mrs O'Hare.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bernie O'HareJuly 31, 2013 at 12:25 AM

    I'm pretty sure she was my mom.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJuly 31, 2013 at 7:02 AM

    I am sure that your mother was proud of you. We all give our parents disappointment at times. She surely is smiling in heaven today and proud that you remembered her birthday. Prayers to you as I know it must be a tough day.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousJuly 31, 2013 at 7:16 AM

    Bernie
    Happy Birthday to Your Mom too.
    Your mom would be so surprised to see how popular your blog is and the awards you have received in recognition of your excellent writing and fans. So sorry she is not here to read your daily entries as many do first thing each morning.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJuly 31, 2013 at 8:01 AM

    My late dad was from Allentown and used to tell a story about his dad providing some sort of counseling to your mom regarding your dad's drinking. It was nothing tawdry, apparently, although some suspected things at the time. My dad later lived in Easton and said he knew of you and didn't like you much back in the day. I suspect he'd have a change of heart now. He said your mom was supposedly a walking saint. I wish I could reveal my identity. There are several reasons I cannot. I mentioned your blog to elderly mom one day and she told the story. Don't know if it's apocryphal or accurate - perhaps a bit of both. I'm an Irish son who sneaked wine into my mom's hospital room in a cardiac care unit. I think I get into heaven for that. Happy birthday to your mom and thanks for a great blog.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Bernie O'HareJuly 31, 2013 at 8:12 AM

    Your Dad didn't much like me? There's a shocker. I'm sure your Mom appreciated your hospital visits.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Bernie O'HareJuly 31, 2013 at 8:20 AM

    "Your mom would be so surprised to see how popular your blog is ..."

    So am I.


    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousJuly 31, 2013 at 9:12 AM

    Yea and let's make alcohol easier to obtain in Pa so more people can have broken lives, families and keep our police departments busy cleaning up after drunken driving accidents...

    Alcohol is evil!

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousJuly 31, 2013 at 9:14 AM

    Very nice remembrance of your mom Bernie, no doubt she was a special lady.

    The Banker

    ReplyDelete
  10. Politically IncorrectJuly 31, 2013 at 4:16 PM

    Someone always has to play a political card. Lighten up, 9:12

    ReplyDelete

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