All ABOUT MARYSIA (blog) | Jane Korman Art

She Ain't Heavy, She's My Mother

Mum decided to move into my home in 2017, a year after Dad passed away. She was in her early 90s with the first signs of dementia. Instead of feeling burdened, I saw this move as a gift — an opportunity to care for her and share these years together.

These posts capture that precious time: mum living in my ‘share home’ with family members, housemates and guests, supported, appreciated and surrounded by love. The stories also offer a glimpse into the daily joys and challenges of caring for a loved one.

'All about Marysia' also includes stories from her earlier life -- pre-war, the war, and post war years.

Today mum is over a century old.

Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen

10.25 Last month while I was sitting with Mum, I reminded her that her birthday was coming up. Birthdays don’t mean much once you’ve passed 100. When I told her she was almost 102, she couldn’t believe it. Such a huge number couldn't sink in at all. Jane: Soon….its your birthday. You will be ONE HUNDRED and TWO ! Marysia: Me, ONE HUNDRED and TWO??? No, no…no...no as long. Jane: Not as long? It’s unbelievable. Unbelievable ! Mum can’t hear well so it’s easier to communicat

Jane

Nov 221 min read

Two Peas in a Pod

22.11.25 Growing up, my parents’ friends would always pinch my cheek and say, “You look exactly like Marysia!” I hated hearing it. It annoyed me every time. Back then, I thought I was young, slim and cool — and Mum was different. Older, rounder, a bit stodgy. I was sure we were nothing alike. And yet, half a century later, here I am: that older, fuller, more stodgy woman. And suddenly I can see that we really were two peas in a pod. Most of mum’s friends are gone now, except

Jane

Nov 221 min read

Happy birthday sweet Marysia 💝 102 years old!

May this day, Simchat Torah, 2025 A day of mourning and a day to dance, See only peace in Israel, Gaza, and the whole Middle East. ❤️‍🩹 October 2025 To celebrate Mum’s 102nd birthday, I’d like to share a story about an unusual friendship — between her and her University lecturer. About a month ago, I was reading through a draft of mum’s life story and found myself thinking about all those years she spent at Melbourne University. She was a very mature-age student, studyi

Jane

Oct 145 min read