A COLLECTION OF QUOTES FROM "MAMA"

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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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Comments

Gladys Seedorf's "What Mama Said"

Gladys manages to bring whimsy, history and the simplicity of life's lessons all together in this poignant recollection. Not only does she give the rest of us a snapshot of a point in time long gone, but she leaves us with truths stated in a way many of us are not used to hearing. Gladys not only succeeds in honoring her mother with this work, but she leaves the reader appreciating the character and personality of a mother intent on right-living for her children. I found this book so enjoyable I also bought one for my own mother to enjoy.

Gladys Seedorf's "What Mama Said"

Gladys manages to bring whimsy, history and the simplicity of life's lessons all together in this poignant recollection. Not only does she give the rest of us a snapshot of a point in time long gone, but she leaves us with truths stated in a way many of us are not used to hearing. Gladys not only succeeds in honoring her mother with this work, but she leaves the reader appreciating the character and personality of a mother intent on right-living for her children. I found this book so enjoyable I also bought one for my own mother to enjoy.

Gladys Seedorf's "What Mama Said"

Gladys manages to bring whimsy, history and the simplicity of life's lessons all together in this poignant recollection. Not only does she give the rest of us a snapshot of a point in time long gone, but she leaves us with truths stated in a way many of us are not used to hearing. Gladys not only succeeds in honoring her mother with this work, but she leaves the reader appreciating the character and personality of a mother intent on right-living for her children. I found this book so enjoyable I also bought one for my own mother to enjoy.

Gladys Seedorf's "What Mama Said"

This book is excellent! Gladys manages to bring together a bit of whimsy, advice and genuine everyday truths in her book, What Mama Said. Her experiences and memories of her mother both honor her mother and give the reader simple down-to-earth lessons which are hard to come by in this age. We just don't get the privilege of this motherly expertise in life everyday the way Gladys and her sister did. I have poured over this book, and each time I smile and giggle out loud. Truly a work to be remembered and cherished!

Love It

Reading the review by Dennis Moore and then visiting Gladys Seedorf's website, I was truly, truly drawn to wanting to know more about the author and her book, "What Mama Said," that I purchased a book for myself and my sister. I love reading about black experiences, black history, and that is why I make sure the females and males in my writing mirror the mark of respect, of distinction; a legacy of strength, independent, self endurance and self respect. Wilson V Carter Author

Reply

Cortina, thank you so much for your kind words. Yes indeed Mama is quite a lady, that taught me well. I have recently been on your website as well which also looks very well. I too plan to take advantage of your book that sounds very intriguing. Thanks again for your support. Lets keep in touch. Gladys

The Wisdom of our Mothers

Dennis, Thank you for sharing this book review. I love the title because 15 years after my mother's death, I find myself quoting her more than I ever have. It's funny how when I was younger, my mother's then wisdom sounded outdated and out of touch. Now, I'm glad I listened and particularly glad I remembered and applied what I thought was those then out of date teachings to the rearing of my own child. I've even had the privilege of living long enough to hear my son say, "Mom trust what you put in me." Now, that made me really proud, and particularly proud to know that he was listening. Ms. Seedorf's mother may not have thought that her daughter was listening, but today she has a published book of enduring quotes and legacy recipes from a woman not formally educated who never dreamed someone would be interested in what she had to say and certainly not interested enough to pay for her seemingly outdated wisdom. Congratulations Ms. Seedorf for preserving those griotic quotes. Just the ones listed in Dennis's review shows that many of our parents had a lot of old "wives tales," that really weren't "old wives tales" but wisdom from their elders that ultimately originated from our heavenly Father...because wisdom is from God. Our parents may not have been formally educated but they had plenty of wisdom.

What Mama Said

Congratulations Ms Seedorf on your first book. I get a sense of nostalgia after reading Mr. Moore's review, and thinking about my mother as well. All mothers - regardless of their background have/had wise old sayings that we live by and say to our own children as well. Additionally, I think that it was a very wise decision of Ms Seedorf to use the quotes exactly how her mother said them without trying to correct the grammar. Doing so speaks to the essence of the book. Thank you so much for sharing the recipes and for providing the pictures as well. A mother is never forgotten, and her sayings last a lifetime. Jacqueline Carr Author - A Selected Few Just For You.

Mama

Ms. Seedorf"s Mama sounds like the Mama everyone wants to have had. The smell of fresh cooking, a nurturing disposition, common sense, no nonsense Mom. She is obviously a Mama who takes time to be with her daughter and share insights that can be looked back on as guidance as her daughter makes her way through life. Sometimes an education can ruin a person's ability to think. This Mama is treasured for her ability to see through the barrage of BS we are all subject to hearing daily. It puts me in mind of the best of my own Mom and how she sat me down across the table from her when I was a teenager and shared her "pearls of wisdom" as she laughingly called them. That made up for the fact that she couldn't cook and didn't cook in general, but she could make pies and biscuits and gravy. Seedorf's Mama is the gold standard women aim for. She knows how to create a warm, loving atmosphere and embodies the female traits that are cherished: drying tears and making it all better with just a look and her touch, fixing foods that nourish the soul as well as the body, and in general teaching children how to be kind, discerning adults who possess strength and durability and the ability to "roll with the punches" life often brings. This would be a wonderful book to buy as a gift for the Holiday season. MJ Payne Author The Remembered Self: A Journey into the Heart of the Beast

Re: Gladys Seedorf

Gladys Seedorf!!, even from the review, I could definitely tell that this book is a must have. I plan to get it this weekend!! I think your story is so relatable as I reflect on my grandmother, and the way that she felt about different people, situations in life, and the humorous things that she said. Your book will definitely bring back fond memories for me, and introduce me to your mother who sounds like someone I would have enjoyed being around! Thank you for sharing her with us, she would be so proud of the work that you have done, even to help others. Bless you for this and God bless you with exceedingly, abundant; happiness, joy, freedom, and finances!!! Love it. Thank you Mr. Dennis for a wonderful review of this book! Cortina Jackson, author of "On Earth As It Is In Hell" www.cortinajackson.com

What Mama Said

Wow this review describes the book so well. I have also read the book and love it. =D I think the book is not only a perfect pick me up for anyone feeling a little blue, but a really good guide for anyone that may need a dash of a mother's wisdom. I also found parts of it flat out funny and will be re-reading the book from time to time. Good job Gladys Seedorf! This book warms the heart and soothes the soul for sure!