Don't Let It Be Forgot!
That once there was a spot. For one brief shining moment.
Virginia Marie Conlon is my mother. She is also the mother of my four
sisters (Mary, Gina, Kathy, and Jean) and four brothers (Jim, Mike, Joe,
and Tom).
The fact that she bore nine children should be indication enough that
Virginia Marie Conlon is among a rare breed. For well over forty
decades, this woman's days were filled with children and teenagers all
clamoring for her love and attention. Mom would say that even now, at
age 82, her eight living children (Mike passed away in April 1989) though
grown with lives of their own still draw on her. She is right!
A Family Takes Shape
So much of Virginia Marie Conlon’s world is wrapped around her family
that it is hard to depict her individually. It is as if her family,
including her beloved husband, James Joseph
Conlon Jr. (1921-2001), is part of her in a physical way. She is
shaped by her family, as her family is shaped by her.
This mother of nine, grandmother of ten, and great grandmother of
two, also stands alone. And her "single" voice shouts to be heard. But
Virginia Marie Conlon does not take the direct approach when
communicating. Perhaps she doesn't know how to. Her emotions run so deep
that they don't dare hit the surface, at least not consciously.
But those feelings are released, and luckily for her, quite regularly.
Artistic Expression
Virginia Marie Conlon speaks through her artwork—a
blend of different mediums. It's interesting that as Mom gets older,
instead of slowing down, her creative juices seem to flow stronger.
Maybe, she has more time to devote to it, but just as likely it's the
result of rumblings within her psyche (and heart) forcing their way out.
Virginia Marie Conlon, the individual, wants to be known and heard. And like any skilled artist, Mom works hard at it.
Enter Mom's Portal
This multi-media site is an attempt to capture the essence of
Virginia Marie Conlon by looking at the magical moments in her life,
both past and present, and the legacy she is building for generations to
come. It tells the story primarily by highlighting Virginia Marie
Conlon's own creative works, which are extensive, span decades, and
cross artistic genres.
It is a portal to Mom's poems, short stories, journals, drawings, and music.
The site highlights video clips of several one-on-one interviews with
Mom, interviews that took place in the early summer of 2006. Visitors to this site can also link to her music (she plays the
piano beautifully, and in her younger years sang beautifully).
Family History
Since my mother is a "saver"—she never
throws anything out—the site holds a wealth of
family history. It outlines my family's ancestral lineage (mainly
on my mother's side) starting with my great grandmother Marie Quinzer
Peters (date of birth and death). In a sense, since Mom is the
primary content provider, this site is my mother's own creation—it
is a self portrait. In another sense, it
is a biography of her life, based on my interpretation. I am her
daughter Theresa (Terry).
Open to the Future
Virginia Marie Conlon certainly knows how to "capture a moment."
Without even knowing what a Web site is, or the technology behind it,
she is open to a new creative opportunity and endeavor that takes a
"hi-tech" approach. She is collaborating on this Web site with me!
To all who enter — enjoy! |
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