The Grandmothers::Mary Rose Cole

The four Cole girls were known as Mary’s Girls. And we were.  Lois was born first with me following a few years later.  Lorraine and Connie would make up the four of us.  Little did I know then what my mom would teach me about being a mother while she was promoted to grandmother. Life was not easy for mom.  There wasn’t much money and yet she managed to put food on the table.  My dad was a drunk who took great pleasure in beating me.  Never my mom or my sisters - only me.  And I never knew why ... but this story is not about him. My sister had two daughters and very shortly after my son James was born.  We lived closer to mom in her later years so she knew James we’ll. In fact he would drive his motorcycle about 50kms to visit her.  Whenever I complained about his marks or his attention span or his decision to become a ski instructor my mother always defended James. Always! She loves to dine with the two of us and we ate out more than I should admit. My mother loved Mavillette Beach in Nova Scotia.  My sisters and I honour her there every summer.  My novels are all set in Cape St Mary which is where Mavillette is located.  I launch my novels there and the locals come out proudly to support me. And this is how mom dressed even for the beach.  Never pants. Freshly ironed blouse and jacket.  White skirt with matching white shoes.   And honest to god she wore hosiery on the beach!

~ Carol Ann Cole