What Mama Said, by Gladys Seedorf (Seedorf Publishing, Battle Creek, Michigan, 2013, 91 pages).
Book Review by Dennis Moore
December 7, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - In dedicating this book to her mother, Willie Jewel Peterson, first time author Gladys Seedorf writes a heartfelt memoir that will resonate with many readers; What Mama Said. It certainly resonates with me, as it brings about poignant reminders and experiences I had with my own mother. Having interviewed the author over the phone, also contributed to the affinity that I have for Seedorf’s writing style.
After graduating from Western Michigan University the author earned a Masters degree in Social Work. She has worked in hospitals, hospice, and homecare agencies for the past twenty years providing services to homebound senior citizens. Clearly, she has a compassion for others, which comes across in this well written book. One could definitely say that she is a carbon copy of her mother, which would make Willie Jewel Peterson proud!
What Mama Said is a collection of quotes by Seedorf’s mama, that are thought provoking, humorous, and inspiring. An example of which is: “You betta’ watch them people that talk a lot, ‘cause they probly tellin’ a bunch a’ lies.” Of course, this was the broken English, or colloquialism used in that time by her mother. Admittedly, her mother only made it to the 6th grade, due to her raising a family during very difficult times. As background, the author also writes of her mother being one of 14 children, living on a farm in Greenville, Alabama in the midst of cotton fields. Of course, they were very poor.
Showing tremendous pride in her mother, Seedorf states: “Mama wasn’t a big fan of people that talked a lot or even those who talked very fast. She would often watch and listen carefully, only to conclude that half of what was said was actually a lie.”
Everyone likes to think that their mother, their “Mama”, is the greatest mother in the world and that can do all things. It is no different for Seedorf as she extolls the virtues of her mother in What Mama Said. The author writes about her mother’s strengths, her mother’s faith, as well as her mother’s practicality. This book resonates with me for that fact alone, as it reminds me of my now deceased mother. It is clear from reading this book that Seedorf and her mother had and has a close and loving relationship. It is clear from reading this book that Seedorf reveres her mother. The Blessing is, that her mother is still here for her to honor and praise. There is an old saying in the black community, about “don’t give me flowers when I am gone, give them to me while I am alive!” That could very well have been a quote from Seedorf’s What Mama said. I like to think that I had a similar type of relationship with my mother as did Seedorf.
This book can very well be a blueprint for the love and admiration of and for a mother, as well as an undying commitment to family values. Seedorf gives numerous examples from her collection of quotes from her mother in this meticulous and thought provoking book, that are bound to inspire and encourage. Another quote states, in her mother’s vernacular: “God don’t neva tell you nothin bad and that old devil don’t neva tell you nothing good.” Seedorf clarified and put into perspective this particular quote by her mother by stating in her book: “I recall asking mama how she determined whether God or the devil was speaking to her. She gave me a very simple, but honest response. I never forgot those words that so strongly resonate in my heart and thoughts today. I know from experience that one’s thoughts whether positive or negative certainly affect every aspect of their life. Although it’s sometimes easier said than done I try to dwell on the positives and know that God is speaking to me.”
Another quote in this book that resonates with me states: “Y’all get somewhere and sit down. Don’t you know the Lawd is workin’?” Seedorf again clarifies and states regarding this particular quote: “If it was thundering and lightning, Mama insisted that the Lord was working and we should sit quietly until the storm passed. She felt that we needed to recognize and respect the mighty roll of thunder and power of the Lord.”
I would be remiss if I did not point out my favorite passage in this heartwarming book; Mama’s Favorite Recipes! As I indicated earlier, everyone likes to think that their mother is the greatest mother in the world, and that goes for their mother’s cooking. Of course, I am a bit biased, but my mother was the best cook in the world! Suffice it to say, Seedorf provides us with her mother’s recipe for Sweet Potato Pie:
1 t nutmeg
3 eggs
3 cups sugar
1 t vanilla
½ cup flour
¾ - 1 cup milk
½ cup butter
2 ½ cups sweet potatoes
Gently mix all ingredients, and pour into 2 regular pie crusts. Let them cook approx. 1 to 1 ½ hours. When they turn brown take them out.
Another recipe that stands out in this book, is that of Baked Sweet Potatoes (Candied Yams):
3 lbs sweet potatoes
½ cup maple syrup or dietetic syrup
½ cup packed brown sugar
2 T butter
½ t salt
1 t nutmeg
Cook potatoes in boiling water until tender, 30-40 minutes; drain; peel. Cut sweet potatoes into 1 inch slices. In a saucepan combine maple syrup, brown sugar, butter, salt and nutmeg. Bring to a boil; then simmer 5 minutes. Place pots in an 11.5 x 1.5 inch baking pan. Spoon syrup over potatoes to coat. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, basting potatoes frequently. Makes 8-10 servings.
Seedorf’s Mama could very well have been my Mama, or your Mama, but clearly, she is a Mama that we would all love and respect. This is a book that pays tribute to mothers, and a book that I highly recommend.
Dennis Moore is the Associate Editor for the East County Magazine in San Diego and the book review editor for SDWriteway, an online newsletter for writers in San Diego that has partnered with the East County Magazine, as well as a freelance contributor to EURweb based out of Los Angeles. He is also the author of a book about Chicago politics; “The City That Works: Power, Politics and Corruption in Chicago.” Mr. Moore can be contacted at contractsagency@gmail.com or you can follow him on Twitter at: @DennisMoore8.
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Gladys Seedorf's "What Mama Said"
Gladys Seedorf's "What Mama Said"
Gladys Seedorf's "What Mama Said"
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