A Mother’s Strength

StoryCorps Door-to-Door recently went to West Virginia to visit Genesis HealthCare’s Marmet Center, a wonderful center that provides patients and residents clinical care in a warm and comfortable setting. We recorded twelve interviews as part of StoryCorps’ Memory Loss Initiative.

One of the interviews recorded was between Jennifer Jones and her mother, Mary Pletka, who shared memories of her childhood, 1970s fashion, having children, and her career in vacuum sales. The women also discussed how Mary’s diagnosis with early on-set Alzheimer’s disease affected her work and life with her family. Initially, Mary resisted the idea of a future in which her children would take care of her; she had always been the one to support them. “What I learned is don’t worry about tomorrow,” she said. “Worry about today only, and take each day one at a time.”

Sometimes, a mother’s strength of character can be seen in her personality and in the family she has raised. But sometimes, it is just by letting go and accepting the love of her family that makes a mother stronger for her family.

Goodbye, Nora

Top ‘O Rock

On our last night in Charleston, we visited the home of participant Henry Elden. As the architect, there were no trees cut down or excavation. The weather was calm when we visited, but Henry has watched many storms from his living room.

Waiting

Stately locale

Our new spot in Charleston, West Virginia is snug on the Capitol grounds. The dome is temporarily sheathed, a la Christo.

Listen closely

This little girl played the full selection of StoryCorps clips available on the listening station . . . and then listened again!

MobileBooth wash

We left Morgantown with a considerable amount of bird poo on the MobileBooth, so we gave it a good spraying before heading to Charleston.

Napping

On her day off, StoryCorps facilitator Nora took a quick nap outside the booth.

Injured duck

In Morgantown, the booth was surrounded by ducks. Our liaison from WVPR, Leigh, saw this poor girl get attacked! Leigh proved herself the hero of the day by calling a local animal rescuer who ran right overand adopted the injured duck.

Queen of Crafts

Leigh from West Virginia Public Radio

Thanks, Leigh!

The Weedhawks

Bobby and Ruby Jean are also known as The Weedhawks, a local Morgantown band. After their turn in the StoryBooth, they invited the StoryCorps staff to their show, during which they gave StoryCorps ashout out!

Morgantown

Cheat Lake

After a day off of climbing and hiking, the StoryCorps East staff took a break at Cheat Lake.

First night in Morgantown, WV