Sharing Love

Re “A Bad Daughter’s Dream,” by Julie Hilden, Commentary, May 8: I can’t imagine not loving my mother. That thought never occurred to me. It wasn’t because of all the material things she gave me, because there wasn’t a lot there to give.

What she did give me was a joy of life. I remember her singing around the house, whether there was something to sing about or not. On her deathbed I remember her saying she couldn’t wait to get out in the sunshine that she loved.

Even saying I loved her with all my heart seems sort of shallow. I think love expresses itself through us, but does not belong to us to keep. That’s probably why the love that expressed itself through her had such a profound effect on the people around her. It was something she shared and not something she kept to herself.

ROBERT H. WILLIAMS

Monterey Park