"Mom was a German Jew fleeing Germany, says my guest Henry Woodman about his mother, Margo. She was the product of the Jews leaving Germany and she never really recovered. Though, from the outside, she wanted everyone to think she had the perfect family, three kids and a husband. But from the inside, it was nothing further than truth. She held the full truth from her family regarding her father. Margo's mother was a spy during WWII after her husband left. There was a lot , in fact too much going on when Margo was a little girl. Unfortunately things kind of fell apart further down the line.
Henry Woodman, a really interesting entrepreneur and father was wonderful explaining the complexities of his mother's behavior. He and his two siblings had to juggle so many crazy situations that would never have happen in a "normal" family. Henry shares stories of his mother that are truly shocking and unfortunate for any children to have to had to experience. And again, when you take into account what Margo experienced as a child, perhaps one can be more forgiving.
All of that said, Henry loved his mother, yet was her affection genuine? "It's hard to say because regardless of the things she set her children up to do. He says that his mother was very loving and affectionate in spite of asking her children to steal things from stores and then act shocked and surprised when confronted by the store manager, etc. if they got caught.
"As a kid you don’t really realize what was going on-that was kind of messed up", reflects Woodman. " When mom was growing up, the sense of having missed out or being robbed and the victimization thing came through her whole life. She would do whatever she needed to do in order to have the appearance of somebody successful or wealthy. It manifested itself in us looking at the world saying there’s more to it than the superficial part of it. We had horseback riding , tennis, speak multiple languages, it was challenging but also thankful for it all (languages, etc) plus other things that she felt the kids have to have this facade."
Lessons learned by Henry were many including first and foremost, he could have continued on the path of "I need more," I deserve more," etc. But he chose a different path, one not superficially charged, one of morals and doing what's right. What he did learn from his mother is tolerance and resilience. And Henry is so thankful for these gifts.
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