23 Comments
User's avatar
The Honeycomb's avatar

Gayle, as long as I’ve been following you (years), I have always read this beautifully written article. I always read it to my mother, who unfortunately passed a way on Feb 15,2025.

That year I read it to myself and still numb from the loss, I felt empty. Today I read it and will read it again on Sunday.

This time I will read it with a smile as I always did…remembering her and her devoted love for me. She often said, “Lisa, you are everything I always wanted to be”. I hold on to this with my heart, because it means mom approved of me, my goals and accomplishments.

Thank you for always sharing.

Gayle Kabaker's avatar

this made me teary - thank you and it sounds like you had an amazing mom xoxox

The Honeycomb's avatar

I did…. Thank you 😊

Michele Champion's avatar

Loved the Mom article. I had mine until she was 98. I feel blessed to have had my Mom until she turned 98. My niece lost her Mom while in college, but I know her Mom is looking down on her and her achievements 20+ years later. It’s never easy to lose a loved one.

Also loved your paintings to go along with the story.

Thank you for sharing. 🙏

Gayle Kabaker's avatar

Thank you Michele ❤️

You were very lucky!

Psychic Medium, Donna Frasca's avatar

I'm a new follower, Gayle and I'm so glad I found your place here on Substack. I've been painting since I was 10, now, almost 64, and still love the colors and styles of other artists. The last decade I discovered finger painting only because I was too lazy to go to the next room and find my brush - it was the perfect "mistake" I made in the art world. I sold many finger paintings, and the style is just so freeing. Yours reminds me a lot of it.

Gayle Kabaker's avatar

Amazing Donna!

Psychic Medium, Donna Frasca's avatar

thanks Gayle, anxiously waiting for the recorded link to your class last Sunday!

Gayle Kabaker's avatar

It was sent yesterday

Check your spam

Psychic Medium, Donna Frasca's avatar

Oh I did not see it! Would you mind resending? I’ll DM you with my ticket and email.

Gayle Kabaker's avatar

please write from your order and then Romina can send it to you. thanks!

Samantha Dion Baker's avatar

Always beautiful to see your paintings and read about your mom.

Ellen Byrne's avatar

"Mom. Hong Kong. Early 1970’s" This is a woman of indomitable spirit. We know her through you.

Jennifer Orkin Lewis's avatar

Beautiful article. That’s hard not having her there for so many special moments in your life.

Meg Donahue's avatar

Really beautiful Gayle- your mom reminds me of a Jackie O vibe- timeless casual elegance.

Barbara Collum's avatar

Such a wonderful article! I lost my Mom in 2014 shortly after she turned 92. Whenever I think of something crazy or funny, my first thought is still that I cannot wait to call her.

Gayle Kabaker's avatar

You’re so lucky to have had her for so long!

Mary Anne & Richard Erickson's avatar

Beautiful story and love all your paintings. Wishing YOU a beautiful Mother’s Day and can’t wait to hang with you in Morocco! :)

Gayle Kabaker's avatar

Thank you and me too!

MARYANN DONAHUE's avatar

This tribute to your mom, the feeling of loss and remembrance, strikes a chord. I was lucky to have my mom much longer but as Mother's Day approaches I feel the pang of loss again. Will miss her for all of my days. Your paintings of your mother are beautiful.

Gayle Kabaker's avatar

Thank you Maryann ❤️

Laura Stanke's avatar

Lovely words and illustrations!

TJC's avatar

Beauuuutiful sketches. So much emotion in them. Thanks for sharing. Your posts are light. Keep up the work. ✨