After the eightieth birthday, my mother was lying in a hospital bed, and her mind was in a mess. She asked me where my son was and said that he was only a little old. One morning, she even called me and asked me if I could attend her funeral. Under the sheets in the hospital, she looked so weak, which was quite different from the strong mother I remember.

Mom is very straightforward. The doctor asked her if she could remember anything else, but she could remember her birthday and blamed the doctor for not knowing history. She used to write to me and often said that she was lonely, but now she doesn't. She was very happy that day and said that her father would take her by boat. I tried to bring her back to reality, but it didn't work.

I know little about her and her parents when they were young. I feel impatient when I think of my children and talk about the past. I used to be my mother's hope, but when I was a child, I just wanted to be free. Now my future is the children's boring past.

A visit before my mother died reminded me that we all came from the past. Life is a rope pulled by ancient human nature, and it never ends in the journey from cradle to grave.

Extended data

1925 August 14 was born in Morrisonville, Virginia, the eldest son;

1947 was employed by Malmerson, and 1954 joined The New York Times to cover the White House, Congress and national political news.

During the period of 1962- 1998, Russell Baker wrote an "observation column" for The New York Times for a long time, specifically commenting on national politics.

From 65438 to 0979, Baker won the Pulitzer Prize for Review for his sharp and witty government articles. Baker is also an excellent essayist and biographer. His childhood autobiography Growing Up won him the Pulitzer Prize for Biography from 65438 to 0983.

Baker himself later served as a judge of the Pulitzer Prize. Up to now, Russell Baker * * * has published works 17 (including works and compilation), and "Golden Age" is another biography of him.