Helen's Corner - Book I

Introduction

Helen Pechota Umholtz

         My mother could and did write. She was a born story teller. She told childhood stories, teenage angst stories, terrified of my parents stories and I was wonderful stories.

         Some she made up; some were true. And some...well, you had to know where the truth ended and the embellishment began. Of course, those stories always contained a moral - hence the need for embellishment at times.

         Her best stories, however, were not just stories. They were poems. In all my years of trying to craft words I could never reach her depth of emotion and her level of facility with poetry. Maybe it was her beautiful scripted penmanship that made the words on paper seem like thoughts from another era. Maybe it was that poetry was ethereal and belonged in the realms of kings and gods to me. Whatever it was that kept me in awe of her skill, it still exists.

         Her recitation of poetry from days past was entrancing and we begged to hear Excelsior, The Raven or The Children,s Hour. What a treat!

         She wrote what she observed, what moved her and what she thought. Just like she lived. Mom was forthright, often too much so, but she left a lasting impression on everyone she met. She was very take-charge and hands-on. But underneath that sometimes brusque exterior, she always had a ready smile and loved to have fun.

         Mom especially loved to dance and often regaled us with tales of her dancing partners in her younger days. She always had a crush on someone - and she told the tales with relish - like she was re-living that moment.

         Yes, she was a naturally gifted story teller and an avid reader. Her love of reading molded her prose and her poetry. She passed these gifts on to her children and her grandchildren. What a legacy to have - a lifetime of words and stories. As progeny, we are proud, humbled to call her Mom and Gramma. We strive to grasp the richness of this heritage and honor her legacy.

         Her words are simple, from the heart, and are her lasting gift our family. We are grateful beyond expression to Helen Pechota Umholtz for sharing her life and her words with us.

         Her collection is pulled together in this book for all to enjoy. Dates, when known, are added to the poetry. Where possible, the original handwritten poem is included. Stories are added to help the reader and to explain or clarify her intent if they are known.