Sunday, October 17, 2010

Leave it to Barbara...

                        
                                             BARBARA BILLINGSLEY

                             December 22, 1915- October 16, 2010


I tried to make my mother, and then myself into June Cleaver, an ideal I nurtured before reality separated itself from TV.   She was the always calm, always sweet natured, stay-at-home Mother, to the Beav, Wally and husband Ward on " Leave It to Beaver", from1957 to 1963, and in re-runs forever.  

And she did it in pearls and high heels.  Of all the mothers on TV, to me she personified a standard that I knew was too good to be true, but loved anyway.  To have that character and perfect intuition existed in a time when Mother knew best, before Father knew best, and now is just nostalgia.  Because we live in a time when it seems, no one knows best. 

So thank you June Cleaver for the standard.  And thank you Barbara Billingsley, for being the personification of one great Mom, and pretty good in all your other roles.

RIP

http://www.minblu.blogspot.com/
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12 comments:

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Ah, those pearls.
Cleaning the oven in pearls.
You have to admire that somehow.

Lyn said...

Hi Pamela Terry and Edward-
I may try that tomorrow...Thanks for stopping by!

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

sweet post...
love your kind heart.
blessings, for you and your mom, plus many others in your life.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

our potluck theme is 7 sins this week, welcome you to write a poem related to it, post and link in...
Happy Monday!

Lyn said...

Hi Jingle-
Thank you for your lovely comment and your blessings..my Mom is gone, yet with me every minute..bless all moms..

Lyn said...

Hi Jingle-
Very intriguing! I better start thinking...

Unknown said...

I'm not familiar with this lady or the Beaver programmes but I'm sure she was one of many universal role models who were loving, wise and always there. Whether it be Jessie Matthews (Mrs Dale's Diary, on radio) or even Richard Greene (Robin Hood), they spoke beautifully and upheld the finer traits of human nature. I wonder how we managed to lose them?

Unknown said...

Nice tribute Lyn. Wouldn't it be nice to have someone like her to look up too these days?

Lyn said...

Hi Derrick-
No wonder we're friends..the very fact that you mentioned Richard Green, seals the deal!!
The "Beaver" show also had a very wry sense of humor, otherwise all that perfection would be cloying..the "boys" still appear as guests from time to time..wouldn't miss it!

Lyn said...

Hi Jane-
Thanks..really odd how standards changed so quickly..but everyone has their "good old days"...

Rallentanda said...

It's time for a twin set and pearl revival.I'll do it if you go first!

Lyn said...

Hi Rallentanda-
I've been wearing mine for the last 2 years, and pearls at the gym..not baking cookies yet!!

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