A mother's legacy lives on in 'Nana-isms'
Plus: The news of the week — Northern Lights visible in Charlotte, UNC Charlotte clears protestor camp, lawsuit over SouthPark fire, new Hornets coach announced
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Finding laughter in grief: A tribute to a woman whose quirky ways live on in the hearts, and habits, of her family.
By Colleen Brannan
Just a few months ago, my sweet mom, Jane, departed this world at age 85 after a long battle with dementia.
This Mother’s Day weekend, I find myself grappling with a tangle of emotions: grief, yes, but also gratitude for the woman who shaped me into the person I am today. I hear echoes of her coming out of my own mouth and in my children.
Her spirit lives on in her funny sayings, affectionately dubbed “Nana-isms” in our house, like “don’t take any wooden nickels,” which I came to understand meant don’t take any crap from anyone. Anyone who has met me, even for a minute, knows I don’t.
From her insistence on hovering rather than sitting on a public toilet seat — a lesson ingrained in me during a family road trip — to her steadfast rule of never crying in public, my mom’s wisdom probably didn’t feel wise to me at the time. It sure does now. I reminisce through tears — not in public, of course — and find comfort in the memories of her quirky beliefs. An itchy left hand meant you’re about to come into some money, or a quick prayer to St. Anthony would always help you find lost items.
Author Colleen Brannan with her mother, Jane, in Hilton Head. (Brannan photo)
Shopping was elevated to an art form under Mom’s tutelage, where I learned to swiftly calculate percentage discounts and embrace brand loyalty. Her favorites, like Hellmann’s Mayonnaise, Tide, Bounce and Bell’s Seasoning (used for stuffing), have become staples in my household. I smile when I see the same in my kids’ grocery carts.
And then there’s her culinary legacy: the art of extending the life of holiday feasts, transforming leftovers into meals for the week. One Thanksgiving turkey could give birth to hot turkey sandwiches and turkey chili. A holiday ham would appear again at breakfast in the form of ham and eggs. This is a tradition I proudly continue in her honor.
Reflecting on her whirlwind romance with my dad, meeting and marrying within months, I’m reminded of who taught me to follow my heart. I know my husband and my six years of courtship gave her heartburn and concern for my loudly ticking biological clock, but she was always supportive and beaming on our wedding day.
She knew her three daughters, all close in age, needed different things, and showed it in her gift-giving. One of my sisters was all about designer clothes, but my dream was a 10-speed bike — a long shot, I thought, since my older sisters didn’t have one. Against all odds, I got it for my 13th birthday. I remember the day vividly, not because of the bike, but because while we were all outside test-driving it, my German Shepherd, Sam, ate half my birthday cake. Mom salvaged the remains, stuck a candle in it, and we moved on. That, too, was a lesson in making the most of any situation.
I cannot call her anymore with my latest drama or achievements, but I can find comfort thinking about all the times she took my call, at any hour, and was always happy to hear from me. I still have voicemails from her that I play over and over again.
As I navigate this journey of grief, compounded by the first milestone event she’ll miss — my son Nick’s college graduation today — I ask myself often, “What would Mom do?” I know she would tell me to support my dad, who is alone for the first time in 60 years, so that’s what I’m doing to honor her, not just on Mother’s Day, but every day.
This weekend will be a rollercoaster of emotions, but I will be where Mom would want me to be: with family, looking forward, not back. Happy Mother’s Day, Janie. Until we meet again, know that you are profoundly missed, forever loved, and I’m still not taking any wooden nickels.
Colleen Brannan, a 30+ year public relations professional, owns BRANSTORM PR but says being a mom to her son, Nick (22) and daughter, Phoebe (20) is the best job she’s ever had. Follow her on social: IG (Colleen_Brannan), Twitter (@colleenbrannan) and LinkedIn or email her at colleen@branstorm.com
Today’s supporting sponsor is the event venue at McColl Center. McColl Center is the unique and artistic venue where your company's event, celebration, or social gathering becomes a masterpiece. Schedule a tour and learn more.
Holy cow, the Northern Lights were visible in Charlotte on Friday night
A solar storm brought the Northern Lights much farther south than usual on Friday night — including to the Charlotte area.
Local meteorologists marveled at the pink and green hues in the sky and said the phenomenon has not been visible here in about the last 20 years. Officials said the geomagnetic storm could disrupt power grids and telecommunications. The aurora borealis could be seen as far south at Alabama and could continue through the weekend and into next week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said.
🎭 Review: In ‘Thoughts of a Colored Man,’ 7 men embody pieces of Black life in America
Characters in “Thoughts of a Colored Man” are identified by their named traits, like Anger, Happiness and Wisdom. (Photo courtesy of Three Bone Theatre)
Arts critic Lawrence Toppman reviewed Three Bone Theatre’s production of “Thoughts of a Colored Man,” which runs through May 19.
Toppman writes in his review for The Ledger that he found it to be “intense”:
Words fly at light speed, especially under the crackling direction of Sidney Horton; the verbal images move as fast and sometimes as randomly as thought itself. … it covers only half of the Black experience: There are no female characters, and mothers and girlfriends appear only briefly through the eyes of the seven men onstage. …
You can consider the seven men as embodying small pieces of the collective Black experience. It’s the playwright’s version of our national motto, “e pluribus unum” — “out of many, one.”
➡️ You can read the full review here.
Other recent Toppman reviews:
Blumenthal Arts’ “Hadestown” (through Sunday at Belk Theater)
Charlotte Ballet’s “Swan Lake” (through Sunday at Knight Theater)
This week in Charlotte: Appeals court ruling on Charlotte Catholic firing, UNC Charlotte encampment cleared, City budget released, Truist to put name on golf tournament, New Hornets coach
On Saturdays, The Ledger sifts through the local news of the week and links to the top articles — even if they appeared somewhere else. We’ll help you get caught up. That’s what Saturdays are for.
Education
Court says Charlotte Catholic could fire gay teacher: (Associated Press) A federal appeals court ruled that Charlotte Catholic High School and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte were permitted to fire a teacher who announced his same-sex marriage a decade ago, reversing a trial court’s decision that the move violated federal civil rights laws.
UNC Charlotte clears protestor camp: (WFAE) UNC Charlotte on Tuesday cleared a pro-Palestinian encampment and arrested one protestor. Chancellor Sharon Gaber said the encampment violated university policies: “These actions are not free speech. They disrupt campus operations and pose a threat to campus safety.”
Politics
City budget: (Axios Charlotte) City Manager Marcus Jones is recommending a 2024-25 city budget that raises property taxes by 1.5 cents per $100 of valuation, or $53 a year for the owner of a $359,000 home (the city median). The budget increases spending on affordable housing, transportation and employee pay.
Cracking down on mask-wearing: (WRAL) Following protests on college campuses by people wearing masks, N.C. legislators are proposing harsher penalties for committing crimes while wearing masks.
Local news
SouthPark fire lawsuit: (Observer) The families of two construction workers killed in the May 2023 fire in SouthPark are suing the site’s developer and contractors, alleging that they violated legal requirements that contributed to the spread of the deadly fire.
Likely cause revealed in WBTV helicopter crash: (Observer) The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that inadequate inspections led to the helicopter crash that killed WBTV meteorologist Jason Myers and pilot Chip Tayag.
Business
New golf tournament name: (Biz Journal, subscriber-only) Truist is expected to take over the title sponsorship of the Wells Fargo Championship, unnamed sources told the Sports Business Journal. The golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club is in its final year with Wells Fargo as the lead sponsor.
Wing chain liquidation possible: (Biz Journal, subscriber-only) Wild Wing Cafe is resisting a bankruptcy administrator’s attempt to convert its Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring into a Chapter 7 liquidation.
Sports
New Hornets coach: (ESPN) The Charlotte Hornets have found a new head coach: 39-year-old Charles Lee, the lead assistant coach for the Boston Celtics. Lee replaces Steve Clifford, who stepped down at the end of the season.
Don’t miss these Ledger stories from this week…
Charlotte’s burglar on the roof: A film about Jeffrey Manchester, known as the “Roofman” for his Santa-style robberies of McDonald’s restaurants by entering through the roof, is in development with Channing Tatum set to star, detailing his courteous yet criminal exploits before his eventual arrest and imprisonment.
Plus: A review of Charlotte’s first Lovin’ Life Music Fest; ‘Swan Lake’ shines at Charlotte Ballet; Dilworth Neighborhood Grille takes a new dig at Tepper
Tuesday (🔒)
Ways of Life: Charlie and Penny Mills shared a lifetime of love, their bond enduring until their final days, passing away just nine days apart and now resting side by side in Sharon Memorial Park.
Wednesday (🔒)
‘Neglect and exploitation’ alleged at assisted living facility: State regulators have barred Wickshire Steele Creek from admitting new residents and are moving to revoke its license following reports that detailed various deficiencies, including improper supervision and sexual abuse of residents, according to state documents. The company said it is “steadfast in delivering quality care” to residents.
Plus: Former Myers Park High student seeks new trial; The latest edition of commercial real estate column ‘Whispers’; A review of ‘Hadestown’; Update on Carolina Theatre renovations
Transit Time: Charlotte's proposed budget includes a significant increase in funding for CATS, even as ridership declines.
Friday (🔒)
Another Thirsty Beaver situation? In the Optimist Park neighborhood, a single house stands surrounded by a new luxury apartment complex, reminiscent of Plaza Midwood’s Thirsty Beaver scenario. The homeowner declined to sell.
Plus: Encouraging news at CMPD’s animal shelter; New mental health treatment center opens; Sports betting takes off at Quail Hollow
Futbol Friday: Charlotte FC's star striker, Enzo Copetti, is set to depart for Argentina's Rosario Central after reaching a transfer agreement. This move marks the club's third departure of a designated player in five months, signaling a shift in roster strategy under new coach Dean Smith.
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