Notes from a 97-year-old

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On Saturday, November 15, 2025, my mother, Gloria Lodigiani, begins her 97^th trip around the sun.

There is a famous quote, attributed to Abraham Lincoln that says, “All that I am and all that I hope to be I learned from my angel mother.” That is true for me, but I’d bet all of my four siblings would also agree. We were raised by a woman who takes her parenting job seriously. Her world-class mothering skills provided us with a loving, happy childhood and prepared us for life’s challenges.

Me, my mom, and my daughter enjoying time together at Mary’s October bridal shower.

Our mother never ran out of ideas when we lamented, “Mommm, there’s nothing to do!”  She coordinated bike decorating contests, gave us buckets of water and brushes to paint the garage door, and dug out her old roller skates so we could whip around the cellar on a rainy day.  Mom went door to door for the March of Dimes, was a Scout den mother, and sewed ceremonial bibs for the monthly baptisms at church.  She planned meals for the week, baked every day, and only occasionally forgot the peas on the stove until halfway through dinner. 

As we grew up and became more independent, she shared the coveted recipes for meatloaf, spaghetti sauce, and turkey stuffing (by long-distance phone call, if necessary), took the night shift when a new baby got their days and nights mixed up, and still turns a deaf ear if one of us whines about a spouse.

My dad passed away twenty years ago this month, but together, he and my mom were a stellar team. Respectful to let us find our own way, they waited quietly in the wings, always at the ready to offer assistance when needed. They were generous with their support, graciously offering it to extended family and friends too, so that it was not uncommon for people to stop by unannounced for a visit or to share a holiday meal with us.

This is my mom at her happiest – when we’re all in the same place at the same time.

Another often-used quote, attributed to my mom and famous only within my family, is the phrase, “You’ve got to make your own fun.” My mom is a role model for living a happy, engaged life. In my last blog post, I talked about striving for a life well-lived and looking for ways to connect with one another to build a community of caring. My mom embodies that mindset: she leads with a smile, invites newcomers at the nursing home where she lives to sit with her, and always looks for ways to extend kindness to others.

During chemotherapy, I created a website and started writing my first blog, This is the Kind to Get. Parts are pretty raw, so I didn’t tell my mom, but she overheard my sister mention it and asked to see it. She read every word, cried during some posts, laughed at others, and told me how proud she was of me for the strength I demonstrated during chemo, but also for my writing ability.

An idea is simmering. I wonder if developing blog posts together with my mom might be a logical next step. She has a lot to offer about living a fully engaged life and supporting others. I can help her share her perspective. Stay tuned for future installments as my mom and I spend her 97^th year together. I have some thoughts on how this will take shape, perhaps with interviews or capturing her comments about particular topics. If you have questions about her view, want her take on something specific, or care to offer some advice on how I might frame this, feel free to leave a comment.