When I was growing up, I saw my parents only as Mom and Dad.  My Mom took care of the house and baked her own bread. My father arrived home from work each day, carrying a briefcase.

Their love story didn’t become known to me and my five siblings until later in our lives. Through a secret cache of old photos and stories from relatives and friends, and even a few from my mother as she grew older and felt we could handle some of the less sanitized aspects of their marriage, we learned more about them as real people: their hopes and dreams, their disappointments, a few secrets and, most of all, their undying passion for each other. Theirs is a story I treasure. I have passed it on to my children—and hope one day they’ll share it with their children.

The Diary—the story of AJ and Elizabeth—Bets, he calls her—was inspired by my parents’ story and is dedicated to them. After the mother of two grown women suffers a massive stroke and can no longer communicate with them, the sisters find her diary while cleaning out her attic. As the pages unfold, they get to know their mother as a woman—and learn some shocking secrets about her—and her past. I hope as you read this deeply emotional yet uplifting tale of passion, betrayal and family devotion set in the world of today—and the 1940s—you will be inspired to get to know your parents as people other than Mom and Dad.

In particular, I hope The Diary will inspire you to get to know your mother as a woman.  Mother’s Day—any day, really—would be the perfect time to start this journey. On the pages of this site, I’ve provided everything you need to begin this dialogue—questions to ask, a menu for a celebratory meal—even free, downloadable Mother’s Day cards to express what’s in your heart. An idea: Give your mom a copy of The Diary to read before or after your first discussion.

I wish you the joy of discovery and very special times with your mom. If you’d like to share an account of your journey, email me at eileeng@nyc.rr.com.

— Eileen Goudge