Jack A. Hardin
English 1109 at 4:02, Fri
November 6, 2020
Journal Eight
The two profiles that I chose for this journal is the one with the bricklayer, Barbra Moore on page 72, and the one with the artist, Ramona Cruz on page 81. If there is one thing that I can compare the two with, it would be motherhood. For the bricklayer, Barbra talks about how she was able to still work through her pregnancy, writing, “… my mid-wife told me that I could do whatever I normally did, and since I normally laid brick, I continue to do that until my eighth month. When I was laying block, I couldn’t run off the scaffold every time I got morning— I would have gotten fired. So I would just throw up inside the block and keep working.” (Isay 74). The fact that she worked on during her pregnancy blew me away! For the artist, Ramona would always attend cultural events and street fairs whenever her daughter, Olga, would sell her artwork. She would stay there the whole time and would buy her daughter’s artwork. Even though her daughter didn’t want her to pay for the artwork, Ramona wanted to support her. Both of these profiles show how far mothers are willing to go for their children.
A difference I found between both profiles were the mothers themselves. Barbra pushed herself to become a bricklayer and to stay a bricklayer. Her coworkers, at first, didn’t think she should do that kind of a job, but she challenged anybody who said that. Ramona, on the other hand, was bipolar and couldn’t engage her talent as an artist because of her husband. But that didn’t stop her from inspiring her daughter into becoming an artist.
Both of these profiles reminded me of my mother and the challenges she overcame. My mother had a few pregnancy losses, but she never gave up. She then gave birth to my older sister and brother, Alisa and Joshua, but they came into the world too early and passed away shortly after their birth. But my mother still pushed on and gave birth to Anisa, me, and Christian. These profiles reminded me of the challenges my mother had to overcome to give birth to me, my older sister, and younger brother. There is no way that I or anyone could repay her for the losses she had to endure.
Hi Jack! I really liked the comparisons between the stories because I feel like there isn't enough recognition towards moms (and dads as well) who work so tirelessly for the benefit of their kids and not really themselves. Your mom also seems like a strong women. I can't imagine the loss she has experienced but she stuck through it and seems like a wonderful lady.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Marina responded to you! It is very admirable of Barbara to be able to do brick laying while pregnant, I can see why her daughter holds her as such an influential person on her life. Your mom is such a warrior, I never knew that about your family, I'm very sorry she had to go through that but she is very admirable for always trying no matter what didn't go her way.
ReplyDeleteJack, your profiles that you chose are amazing stories to show how hard mothers work in life, and I thought it was amazing! your mother seems to be a very strong woman and I'm so happy to see her smiling in that photo! She seems like a sweet lady and very strong overcomer.
ReplyDeleteSpelling error within your quote Break instead of brick. Anyhow nice choices in story and really great connection to your own experiences in the conclusion. Always like to take a peek at your writing. I also loved the story of Barbara I too was going to write about it but choose a more niche and different story I liked instead. Really enjoyed this line from you "My mother had a few pregnancy losses, but she never gave up.". I can relate to a strong mother but am also very lucky to be able to same about my father. Great stuff Jack keep it up man!
ReplyDeleteThank you ask so much for your comments! I really appreciate it!
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