My Mom was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on October 18 in a year long long ago, 1939. She had dark hair and wise eyes and she was welcomed by her parents and her brother William. ( she better have been welcomed by her brother William!!) She grew up and got pretty and smart and liked to do the things girlies do, but not the irritating things like being phony or caddy or prissy. Why I don't have pictures of her growing up is something I'm surprised at and disappointed for, but I will make up for that.
Late in her high school years her family moved to a town where my dad lived. They fell in love and that was it!! They enjoyed hanging out and spending time outside and riding my dad's horse. They got married when she was 18 and started a cute little family.
Which grew quickly and came to include me.
Luckily I grew out of being cross-eyed!
My mom had her hands full while raising four little kids born four years apart and having all the energy and spunk she could imagine, but she did meaningful things with us.
Outside adventures exploring, hiking or eating!
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| Birthday Parties with or without extended family! |
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| Crafting, artwork,costumes and using our imagingation! |
I learned to trust my instincts with creating because my mom said I could, and encouraged us to experiment.
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| Holiday decorating, baking and visiting-sometimes stressful, but always looked forward to! |
We had carnivals and theatre shows, we made movies and created radio shows. We drew, painted tried and tried to sing. We roller skated and rode bikes and were cowboys and Indians or the Jackson 5. We built crazy things with cardboard and eventually materials that could hold us. I give a lot of credit to Jeff for thinking of the big things- he was a great director in making things happen and loved to make big productions and had the creativity to pull them off .
And we had the adventure of having animals- without mom that wouldn't have been possible with Dad's allergies.
My parents have been married for what seems like forever and have done a great job of hanging in there through some difficult times. They are an example of working on differences and learning to override those differences for a greater good. So proud of them :)
Another wonderful thing my mom (and dad) has done is give her grandchildren their own set of scriptures when they get baptized, and attend important events in our kids lives to show support, many times at great sacrifice.
At the start of another year I want my mom to know she has done a great job. She has been many thing for many people, but very special to me. She never imposed her needs over mine, she looked for ways to support me the way I needed or wanted to be supported. She generously and fun-ly contributed to every home I've lived in to add a touch of her whimsey and love. She set the example of forgiving and not holding grudges or even thoughts of past grievances- just letting it go like being swept off with a gentle broom; not orchestrating a way to get even. She set an example of giving to neighbors, family, friends, and to the community as well as to self. She inspired me to appreciate the little things in books, art, and music and to surround myself with a bit of all of it to keep me smiling. She is fun, she is kind, she is willing, she is loyal, she is ever learning. She's been giving us parts of herself all the while polishing the great person she is.
Thank you mom for being there for me and for all the wonderful years of learning we've been through together. I love you today and forever!!
What a great post!
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