A Special Day with Mom at Hellriegel’s Inn

A special day with Mom at Hellriegel’s Inn in my boyhood hometown of Painesville, Ohio. The occasion itself is long forgotten—but Mom never is.

Backstory and Context for This Photo

Although Mom has departed this world, I think about her almost every day. This photo of Mom and me, likely taken in the late 1980s, was captured by my dad, who is equally amazing in his own special way.

Hellriegel’s Inn holds another special place in history. Before becoming president, John F. Kennedy campaigned in Lake County and stopped at this country-club-style restaurant. Photos of his historic visit remain on display in the lobby.

Growing up, I would look at those photos on the wall of the inn.   I'd think, “JFK stood right here.  He’s the reason we got to the Moon.”

My travels eventually took me far beyond Painesville, yet I now view Hellriegel’s much like Houston’s historic Rice Hotel.  Both places represent a kind of hallowed ground, where history and personal memories come together.

At Hellriegel’s, I remember not only a moment in our nation’s history, but also a special day with Mom. The occasion may be forgotten, but she never will be.