From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library

Farm House to the White House, by William M. Thayer 53
On arriving at Fredericksburg, he quartered his suite comfortably, and then repaired alone and on foot to see
his mother, whom he had not seen for over six years. She met him at the door with feelings we cannot
conceive, much less describe.
In silence and tears they embraced each other, with that tender, mutual pledge of undying love--a kiss.
"God has answered my prayers, George, and I praise Him that I see your face again," she said.
"Yes, my dear mother, God has indeed heard your prayers, and the thought that you were interceding for me
at the throne of grace was always an inspiration to me," answered the son.
"How changed, George!" the mother remarked, scanning his face closely, and noticing that he had grown old
rapidly. "You bear the marks of war."
"True, men grow old fast in war," the son replied; "but my health is good, and rest and peace will soon make
me as good as new."
"For that I shall devoutly pray," Mrs. Washington responded.
For an hour, and more, the conversation continued, the mother making many inquiries concerning his health
and future plans, the prospects of peace and prosperity to the country, and kindred subjects; but she did not
drop a single word respecting his fame.
The inhabitants of Fredericksburg and vicinity immediately arranged for a grand military ball in honor of Gen.
Washington and his staff. Such an occasion would furnish a favorable opportunity for the members of
Washington's staff to meet his mother.
At that time, as now, it was customary for military and civic leaders to allow their joy over happy occasions to
ooze out through their heels. We are unable to explain the phenomenon; but the fact remains, that a ball on a
grand scale was planned, to which Washington's mother was specially invited. Her reply to the flattering
invitation was characteristic.
"Although my dancing days are pretty well over, I shall be most happy to contribute what I can to the general
festivity."
Mrs. Washington was then over seventy years of age.
It was the gayest assembly ever convened in Virginia at that time, and perhaps the occasion was the merriest.
Gay belles and dignified matrons graced the occasion, arrayed in rich laces and bright brocades, the well
preserved relics of scenes when neither national misfortune nor private calamity forbade their use.
In addition to Washington's staff, many other military officers were present, all gorgeously dressed,
contributing largely to the beauty and grandeur of the scene.
"But despite the soul-soothing charm of music," says a writer, "the fascinations of female loveliness, and the
flattering devotion of the gallant brave, all was eager suspense and expectation, until there entered,
unannounced and unattended, the mother of Washington, leaning on the arm of her son.
"The large audience at once paid their respects to the honored guests, the mother of the chief being the central
figure of the occasion. Washington presented American and European officers to his mother, who wore the
simple but becoming and appropriate costume of the Virginia ladies of the olden time, while the sincere
congratulations of the whole assembly were tendered to her."