Helen Chaney - Mothers, Lost & Found

On Maui, in 1983, I met Helen Chaney who became my spiritual mother. A writer, actress, muse, and wisdom walker, her presence in my life enlightened me as she shined her light upon me. She became friends with my birth mother, Edith. Having them together, mothers of the earth, and sky, I felt complete. They crossed over within a year of each other. (1989 & 1990) Losing mothers is a bitch. I found this the other day amidst our vast correspondence. Someday, I'll transcribe it all, and learn more about my lovely Helen. This photo was taken when she played on stage in San Francisco in a production of "The Cocktail Party" by T.S. Eliot. Mid-1950s.

I have a little watercolor that she did of a Mojave Indian woman holding out beads for sale. She painted it while she was living in the desert and working on her book. The adventure funded by Sinclair Lewis. I have a photo of them together. She would never tell me the name of the book, or the name she published under.

From Helen...
April 5, 1986
Dearest Medicine Daughter,

Edith is in better spirits than I have ever known her to be. I have been visiting her everyday until yesterday when she got a cold. Today it is better and she in not in bed. I love her and call her Periwinkle, a pet name she enjoys. She is gaining strength and has done laundry, washes her hair, dresses daintily and does needlepoint, crossword puzzles and reads. I have to stay away because I just got over the flu, but I phone her twice a day. When I first called her Periwinkle, she said happily, they used to tell me I looked like Saint Theresa!

April 7, 1986
Edith is fine. She seems to have settled down and has decided that she is going to stay here. When I wondered out loud if she might go back east, she said, “Oh no. It’s too cold.” So dear one, you saved her from a lot of pain by coaxing here her to our beautiful island. She is well now. I called thinking she might be lonely, but there always seems to be somebody coming of going, so don’t worry anymore and take your new life with both arms. I do believe that whatever is right for your life is also right for Amanda. I loved my father more than anybody, but I couldn’t have lived with him. He thrived in his life and was happy whenever I stayed with him it was absolutely wonderful. When he was miserable with my mother, I was miserable all the time.