Claim our Light

I'm ending 2022 cozied up in my warm living room with my fur niece, Sunshine, and feeling like the luckiest girl alive. I have a home, I have my family, I'm retired and loving every minute, I have friends. It feels like the world is returning to normal after two years of chaos. Life is good. So good that sometimes, if I close my eyes and ears to it all, I can imagine that this world we live in is perfect. 

Those pictures creep in, though, of children, parents, grandparents, fleeing their country as their homes and cities are shattered from missiles and bombs. The war in Ukraine rages on, and lives are forever changed. I have a personal connection to some of those affected. I had two classes of students from Ukraine in my online teaching job. Right after the war began, they stopped coming to class, and I didn't hear from them for a month. I prayed for them daily. Just when I thought I would never hear their voices, they came back. Most of them were now in other countries--Poland, The Czech Republic, Scandinavia--in exile with relatives or friends. All 20 were safe and ready to return to school. Prayers answered.

Marianne Williamson, one of my favorite inspirational writers, always has the words to put things in perspective. She said, 

If the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine proves anything, 

it’s that a light is missing in the world

 or so much darkness could not have gotten in. 

Part of that light is who we used to be. 

For the sake of literally everyone, may we claim our light again. 

I'm claiming my light in 2023! I'm shining a big spotlight on any darkness from the past year and turning it to light. 

The 4th of July fire across the street from my house that almost crossed the street? Shining a light on that. And thank you, superhero firemen, for keeping my house safe.

Sad goodbyes and teary reminders of world figures? Let your light shine on all of us. Remembering Princess Diana on the 25th anniversary of her tragic death followed so closely by Queen Elizabeth's passing was heartbreaking. I revisited all my Diana books and collectibles on August 30 and even dug out my black sheep sweatshirt from the 80s patterned after Diana's red sweater. Mom and I watched all the ceremonies for Queen Elizabeth. What a role model and leader. And may I just add, can we be done with the constant "news" about this Royal family? Buckingham Palace and all the Royals--stop being racists. And Harry, stop selling out your brother. Find your light, Royal Family.

2022 was already filled with light despite the darkness. So many of us jumped on the Wordle train this year. It has become a morning routine for my mom and me, We sit at the kitchen table, Mom with her iPad and coffee, me with my iPad and tea, and work together to solve the day's puzzle. It's always interesting to see if Mom is going to find Wordle . No Mom, you're on Facebook. Wordle is in Safari. No, that's messenger. Safari is blue. And on and on. It's hilarious. I really should record us sometime. But, wow, is she good. Often times it is Mom who gets the word, not me. 

We needed a little help from Sunshine.

My online teaching job is often the highlight of my day. I absolutely love teaching English! When I retired in 2017, I worried what I would be if not an English teacher. Here I am, almost six years later, still an English teacher. I work less than ten hours a week, all from home, with students all over the world. I have my best friend to thank for shining a light on this opportunity. Thanks, Eileen!

There is no brighter light in my life than my family. I got to see almost everyone in person this past year and definitely spent lots of time FaceTiming. Here are picture highlights:

TEA PARTIES!

VACATION!

(I hadn't been in an airport since 2019)

Fort Lauderdale 

The start of 2023 feels good. I'm claiming my light, day by day. Cheers to you and your light.

Happy New Year!

Ringing in 2023 with Sunny

Books snd Bubbles

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A New Year's Miracle

 So much heaviness hangs over my city as 2021 comes to a close. Mother Nature showed her monstrous side, sending hurricane-force winds to turn sparks into flames and flames into a destructive inferno that ravaged the Denver suburbs of Superior and Louisville. I have a pit in my stomach thinking about the six hundred homes burned to the ground, the families left with nothing. Where's the good? Where's the hope? I was glued to local news channels all night looking for something. It wasn't there. Until the morning dawned. As videos and pictures of destruction filled tv screens and social media sites, there it was. Hope. Families gathering together expressing gratitude that they were alive, vowing to rebuild. Communities coming together offering housing, clothing, food, money, comfort. The governor and local authorities announcing everyone was accounted for, no lives were lost, calling this a New Year's miracle. 

As survival stories begin to replace the horrific images, true miracles become clear--the page of a prayer book in the midst of rubble, a horse running to safety propelled by pure instinct, the understanding that nothing is more precious than family.

A horse runs through Grasso Park in Superior as smoke and fires approach. Photo: Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Thankfully, family was front and center for me this year. Having gone through almost all of 2020 without being with most of my family members, it felt like Heaven seeing everyone this year. I was able to road trip to Nebraska, and Nebraska and Minnesota family came to Colorado. 

Nebraska fam

Mom and Roger

Colorado fam

Colorado and Nebraska fam

Family truly is everything!

Also front and center this past year was being retired.  Well sort of. I'm doing some online teaching again this year. I can't help myself! I teach several high school English classes for Hudson Global Scholars.  I can design my own schedule and choose which classes I want. We have students and teachers all over the world, and I love getting to know all of them. My family asks why I can't just be retired. I tell them this doesn't feel like work. When it does, I'll stop.

My schedule

Although not enough, I did find time to knit. My big accomplishment this year was a sweater for our Violet. It took me forever, and I almost quit several times, but  I finished! It was challenging but fun, and seeing Violet snuggled inside was everything.

Oh Violet!

I can't end without applauding our Jessica for taking a huge leap of faith and moving to England to work on her Masters degree. Not knowing a soul and never having seen the college, she packed up last September, hopped on a jet plane, and despite some drama with flight delays and lost baggage, she is now well into her program and taking Durham University by storm. We all miss her dreadfully, but we are so proud of her.

Miss you, Jess!

2021, although not perfect, brought back some of the normalcy that was missing from my life, and there's hope in that. As I get ready to toast a new year, my heart is with the resilient people of Boulder County who lost so much. May 2022 bring you peace, and may Mother Nature be kinder.

Happy New Year!

New books and a Christmas Coke (champagne doesn't feel right)

Look for the Good (Surviving Kearney Flood 2019)

We should always look for the good in everything.

Chloe, age 9

Sometimes the best advice comes from the least expected source.  I discovered that last week during one of the most bizarre adventures I have ever experienced.  What began as a highly-anticipated Nebraska road trip to visit family ended up being a Mother Nature freak show.

a hotel across the street

The drive across Nebraska was a bit shaky in the first place with heavy rains, torrential at times, ushering us into Kearney.  It seemed to have all passed, though, when we checked into Hampton Inn Kearney.  My sister Peg and niece Micki and her family soon joined us, and we enjoyed a fun evening watching the kids swim in the hotel pool and eating pizza and playing board games in the lobby.  It started raining again, but we all just thought it was a typical summer storm.  If only we could have seen the rains as the omens they were.  Instead, we, and the entire city of Kearney, ignored the flood warning alert that blasted on our cell phones.  We went on with our visit, drinking a little wine or tea and enjoying the silliness of the kids. Micki and Tyler decided they would drive home to Elm Creek, twenty miles away (they made it home safely with no sign of a flood).  Peg stayed with us at the hotel.  We watched a little news (no mention of anything weather related) and called it a night.

The storm returned with a vengeance during the night.  The lightening and thunder were scary--I had trouble sleeping.  I almost called the front desk to see if there were any warnings, but I figured a siren would go off.  I had no idea how hard it was raining out there. Who would have guessed when the morning dawned with blue skies and sunshine.

With the sun shining brightly, Peg left for work the next morning at 7:00.  Mom and I planned to have a leisurely morning before heading to Elm Creek for the day.  We turned on the news and heard there had been some flooding in Kearney, particularly by the high school.  I texted Peg to see if she encountered any on her way to work. She didn't.  Micki also didn't see any signs of flooding in the Elm Creek area.  So we took our time, enjoying coffee and breakfast and the newspaper.  I looked out the window before we headed out, and to my complete shock and horror saw this.

And then five minutes later--

Girl, you ain't seen nothing yet--a few minutes later--

complete with a little sass to my mom (sorry!) and an s word

Yikes!

We decided we better kick it in gear.  Peg texted and said she would meet us at the hotel and help us. It took ten minutes to gather what we needed.  Leaving the rest on the beds or chairs (just in case), we headed toward the lobby and the exit to my car.  That is as far as we got.  Hotel staff stopped us and told us to stay in the lobby--no one was allowed to leave or enter.  Peg texted saying she couldn't get to us, the streets were flooded.

And then

At this point I thought maybe I should ask about getting our room changed to a second floor, just in case.  I asked the desk agent if that could happen.  She politely said she would check later, but at that moment she had been instructed to have everyone move to the second floor hallway.  I looked to the main entrance and understood why!

As we headed up to what would be our home for the next few hours, not one of us thought about evacuation.  We all (about one hundred) thought we were riding the storm out on higher, drier grounds.  We were all joking and trading names and backgrounds and just waiting for the all clear.  Instead, we soon were informed that the police were on the way to begin the evacuation process.  My heart sank as I'm sure did all those other hearts around me.  

Hotel management arrived with water and clear, calm instructions.  They told us exactly what would happen.  Members from the police and fire departments, state patrol, City of Kearney, and the Red Cross would arrive and assist us to buses waiting as close as possible to the exit.  There would be a small area of knee-high water before the bus, but crews would be there to assist.  There were five or six other hotels that would go before us.  And so the wait began.

At my end of the hallway, we formed a close little group as we chatted about our homes and families.  Everyone was so helpful, making sure Mom had a chair and water.  I was a little unnerved--I worried about Mom and stressed about my car.  When we left the lobby, I could see that there was some water around it.  I knew the water was still rising, and I had no idea how much had accumulated by that time.  Margie, a new friend, was worried about her car as well and offered to go to a window and take a picture of the parking lot.  This is what we saw--

I couldn't really tell if the water was up to the doors.  I felt a little better knowing at least it wasn't completely covered.  A little.

In addition to Margie and her husband Dan, we bonded with Ann who was supposed to catch a flight to Denver at 4, Bill and Deb from Wyoming, Travis and Jill from Wisconsin.  And Chloe.  Sweet, beautiful Chloe.  We all fell in love with nine-year-old Chloe from Denver.  She entertained us with jokes and stories and dreams and wishes.  She gravitated from not a care in the world to being almost in tears, worried that she would get separated from her parents.  We did our best to assure her that would never happen.  Just when I was close to tears myself, Chloe proclaimed that "we all should look for the good in everything."  Her words quickly became my mantra for the rest of the trip. I wanted to take her with me.  We all need a Chloe in our lives! (I'm so sad I didn't get a picture of her--my mind was in survival mode, not selfie mode.)

I began to stress a bit about how I would get down to the ground level.  I can't do two stairs let alone a flight of stairs.  I didn't once think I would be left on my own, but nevertheless, not knowing was worrying me.  At about that time, things began to happen fast. A police officer appeared and had everyone line up as he explained the evacuation process.  He came over to me and calmly and kindly walked me through the plan to help me and two others in wheelchairs.  They would carry me down to either an airboat or a loader (oh dear Lord!) and someone would be with me all the way.  I did tear up then--the reality hit me.  I grabbed Mom's hand and said we couldn't be separated (there's a little bit of Chloe in me!).  We weren't.

It was go time.  After those who didn't need assistance were down, firemen came for Mom and me.  Before I even had time to think, one had swooped me up, and we were headed down.  Mom was right behind, escorted by another fireman.

My relief at reaching ground level was quickly replaced with horror.  We were in about two feet of gross water.  We had to make it about fifteen feet to the loader (I so wanted the airboat!) I had no idea what a loader was.  Although not ours, the picture below is almost identical to our chariot.

Two firemen assisted Mom, holding each of her arms, as they helped her in.  My hero firemen carried me all the way and rode with us as we headed three or four blocks for dry land.  

Rescued

   

Thanking our hero firemen profusely, we boarded buses bound for the Salvation Army.  Waiting for us, along with hundreds of others, was Peg.  I have never been so happy to see her!

THE AFTERMATH

What seemed like an eternity in reality was just a few unbelievable hours.  It all felt like a dream.  I kept asking "Did this really just happen?"  We headed for Micki's in Elm Creek at about 1:00--a mere 3.5 hours after it all began.  

Determined not to let Mother Nature ruin this trip, we did what what we would have done had there been nothing but blue skies the entire time.  I played with Quinn and her dolls and kitten, played Sequence with Ethan and Drake (and lost), lounged on the patio, watched the kids jump on the tramp, made s'mores, watched the kids chase fireflies--exactly what we came for.  

At one point Tyler asked me, "How much better would you sleep tonight if you knew your car was okay?"  Because of course that was in the back of my mind the whole time.  I just didn't know.  I saw it briefly out of the corner of my eye when we got on the loader--water was definitely up to the door.  Following updates on Twitter and the local news, we learned that the water was still rising throughout the day.  I had no way of knowing what was going on with my car.

The next day brought more sunshine and blue skies.  I felt confident that the water surely receded during the night, and we would be able to get to my car and assess the damage.  I was not confident that my car was okay, however.  The news footage that morning showed many cars in the surrounding lots almost completely submerged.  

Micki and Tyler offered to drive to Kearney and check out the scene.  A half hour later I got a text from Micki with this:

And this

For perspective, Tyler is 6' 3"

And dear Lord, this

They couldn't get to my car.  My heart plunged.  It just didn't look good.  How would we get home--we had already heard there were no rental cars available in the area.  Would my insurance cover flood damage? Where do I even start??  Such silly worries.  I heard sweet Chloe's words.  Look for the good.  Sheesh--I was surrounded by family.  I'm retired and didn't have to get back to work.  We were safe.  Why worry??

I thought Micki and Tyler would be heading back to Elm Creek.  Instead I got a text from Micki.  Tyler's friend had a truck and gave them a ride through the high water to the Hampton Inn parking lot.

I waited, holding my breath, for the follow up.  And . . .

My car!  On dry land!  And it started right up, water pouring out of the tailpipes.  I felt relief permeate my entire being--I could finally breathe.  The floors were soaked but there didn't seem to be any water on the seats. Micki said it smelled really bad, but I could live with that. They, of course, couldn't get it out of the flooded area, but at least we now knew what we were dealing with.

I had a much more relaxed day with the kids knowing that my car was not a total wreck.  I watched them swim and do flips off the board at Elm Creek's pool, colored and did word searches, and even took a nap.  My brother Mark came through and we visited with him. I thought surely the water would recede by that evening, and we could be on our way the next day.  

But with no updates all day about the water levels or street openings, we were in limbo.  Mark was heading back home to Lincoln in the evening and decided to try to get to the hotel on his way.  Peg went with him in case she needed to drive my car back.  No such luck--the water had not receded and the streets were still impassable for normal traffic.  

But wait--ten minutes later I got a FaceTime call from Mark.  They were by my car!  City workers were on hand to take people into the hotel area (using that wonderful loader!) Management was available at the hotels to let guests in to retrieve left behind belongings.  While Mark checked out my car, Peg went into the Hampton Inn and got the rest of our stuff.  That was one less thing to worry about.  Mark drove the car around the dry parking lot and told me it sputtered a bit but otherwise ran great.  He also mentioned the smell.  Yuck.

Mark on the loader

Peg ready for a ride

They left the car, with windows cracked to air it out, and we all felt certain that we would be able to drive it out the next day.  Surely the water would recede by the morning . . .

Day three brought the news that the hotel streets were still flooded and closed.  I just couldn't believe it.  How could there be so much water when it had been nothing but sunshine for three days?  It turned out that the area by the interstate where the hotels are is lower than most of Kearney and provided a perfect path for the overflowing Turkey Creek to drain.  Just dandy.

A thought occurred to me that morning.  While Mark and I were FaceTiming the night before, I noticed a tow truck preparing to tow the car next to mine.  Why don't I have my car towed out to the dry streets?  I have AAA with coverage for towing, and it looked like a big tow truck could get in and out of the area.  I called them to see if it was possible.  And it was--they would be there in 30 minutes!  Why hadn't I thought of that before??  Micki had to quickly get to Kearney with the keys, and then we were in business.  We had them tow it all the way to Elm Creek since that was covered in my plan.

This sight made me cry.  Happy cry--

My baby!

After a quick stop at Kelly's Sales and Service in Elm Creek for a checkup (Kelly gave us a big thumb's up, seeing no signs of water in the oil, air filter, or engine), we headed home, smelly car and all.  A thorough detail the next day removed any sign that it had been in a flood.

all better

Not once, during the entire three-day ordeal, did Mom or I feel like we weren't being taken care.  During the actual flood, we were never scared that we weren't going to make it.  We never felt abandoned or uncared for.  Everything seemed under control and organized, and for that we are so grateful.  Specifically, thank God for

Kearney Fire Department

Kearney Police Department

The City of Kearney

Nebraska State Patrol

Nebraska Red Cross

Kearney Salvation Army

The Hampton Inn Kearney Staff

Kearney Towing

Kelly's Sales and Service

With cool heads and warm hearts, these heroes selflessly ensured that my mom and me, and the 1000+ other evacuees, were safely reunited with our loved ones.

And for our fellow guests at The Hampton Inn Kearney.  For two hours or so, these complete strangers put forth their most compassionate and trusting hearts and became friends.

For my family

Peg, for braving the flood, waiting forever at the Salvation Army, going to Target to get us essentials, taking time off work to help, and just being you.

Micki and Tyler, for discovering my car on dry land, putting up with us for longer than planned, feeding us, supporting us, and for Ethan, Drake, and Quinn whose love and laughter got us through.

Mark, for coming through Elm Creek and trudging through flood waters to check everything out

Joy, Kyle, Jake, Rog, and Kerri for keeping it positive through texts and FaceTimes

The Schultz/Alldredge crew for checking in, even from Macedonia, halfway around the world, where Max wanted to see the flood

And for Chloe.  Your little nine-year-old heart and wise words touched everyone in our little bonded community.  You will never know the lasting effect you will have on so many adults, but I know I will never forget you.  Yes, Chloe, I will look for the good in everything, even the Kearney Flood of 2019.

2018 and Those Hidden Messages

I'm taking time during this lull between Christmas and New Years to reflect on my first full year as a retired English teacher.  I promised myself that I would take a year before I even thought about what life after lesson planning and essay grading would look like for me.  I wanted/needed to just have some time to breathe.  And that's exactly what I've done.  Some pretty clear themes emerged over this past year (and a half 😊) that give me a glimpse into where my heart gravitates and perhaps are messages just waiting for me to hear.  I noticed them as I put together my Christmas letter and summarized my year in the shape of a Christmas tree.

or as Instagram would put it

Here are the themes that popped out at me.

Wanderlust

I love to travel!  I always have.  Whether road trips back to Nebraska or leaving on a jet plane to Minnesota or big cities or warm beaches, just say the word, and I'm gone.  This year my travels took me to Nebraska twice--to celebrate birthdays, to see Jackson Browne, and most importantly to be with family.  I also got to go to Christmas Lake twice, too--to spend Easter with my family and back again to celebrate Mom's 90th birthday.  2018 also brought me my first ever trip to New York City--to see Springsteen on Broadway and to explore Manhattan.  I've had the Big Apple on my bucket list for a very long time, and how fun it was to check this one off.  And oh how wonderful it was to return to San Diego.  My sister Kerri and nephew Gabe were the best traveling buddies for Mom and me as we continued Mom's 90th birthday celebration at the Pacific Terrace Hotel on Pacific Beach.  We stayed there five years ago, and we were delighted to find that the hotel is as fabulous as it was back then, and many of our favorite restaurants are still there.  My wanderlust definitely was satisfied this year.

Travels near and far

Royal Babies 

I don't know where I would be without our Royal Babies--all ten of them!  Being an aunt, and now a great aunt, has been my greatest joy in life, and now that I'm retired, I get to experience so many of their events and celebrations.  This year, two more sweet babies joined our family--Nora Marie (Nate and Lindsey) in June and Atlas Thompson (Amy and Austin) in October.  I met Nora when we were in Minnesota in August, and I fell immediately under her spell.  She is a little doll!  Since Atlas was born right here in the Denver area, I got to meet him when he was 36 hours old.  I didn't want to stop holding him then, and i still can't get enough of him.  They join Ethan, now 8 and a big, happy 3rd grader.  Three of The Royals started kindergarten this year--Drake, Max, and Madi.  These 5 year olds love being in school and are learning so much.  Lucy Mae is 4 and loves dresses , Barbies, and singing.  Quinn, 3, is our animal lover and Little Miss Smiley Face.  Archer is 3 and in pre-school and loves being Atlas's big brother.  And finally Russell turned 2 in November and has everyone under his thumb, especially his grandparents Kerri and Marty and his three uncles.  How grateful I am to be their great aunt.

The Royals

Family

Always the clearest theme in my life is this big, beautiful Thompson family of mine.  I am happiest in the midst of them, especially when all 35 of us are together.  That happened this summer as we all gathered to celebrate our Mom/Grams for her 90th birthday.  We spent the Christmas Lake weekend boating and swimming and tubing and eating and laughing and celebrating Mom, and despite the unique personalities, that Thompson blood runs strong through all 35 of us and binds us together, forever.  And speaking of my Mom, at 90 years and 4 months, she is vibrant, smart as a tack, happy and as loving as ever.  We are all so grateful to have her in our lives.

The Thompsons

The Writer in Me

Although not an obvious theme, I do continue to enjoy writing.  I wrote blog posts for most of the major happenings in 2018.  If you're interested, you can click on any of the red words, and you will be directed to a post on that subject.  I also branched out a bit and wrote a few articles for Cavalier Rescue USA, a non-profit rescue group for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.  Several of these articles took me out of my comfort zone, but I learned so much while researching and writing.  I adore this group--it helps me fill a hole in my heart.

Which brings me to the elephant in the blog post.  2018 had barely started when I lost my Sweet Juliet.  I was so unprepared for the sorrow her death brought--my heart was broken, and the sorrow shadowed most of my year.  I felt it most in the fall.  Jewel and I loved our walks around our neighborhood, and we especially loved crunching through fall leaves and stopping to enjoy the colors and smells of autumn.  I couldn't bring myself to take walks without her, but I made myself go in the fall.  I needed to see the beauty again, and so off I went, searching for color.  But it just wasn't there.  I thought maybe I went too early, and so I made myself go a few weeks later, but the leaves were already dropping, leaving trees almost bare.  Even my favorite spots lacked the reds and golds I love so much.  This fall was disappointing, to say the least.  Maybe it had something to do with the weather we had, or maybe my timing was off, or maybe it was that shadow dulling my view.  Whatever it was, I truly hope next fall is better.

Shadows aren't ever permanent, and it took a baby to shine a light through this one.  Our little Atlas entered this world in the most miraculous way, a story for his mom and dad to share, but his strength and will ushered him in on his terms.  When I held him for the first time, 36 hours after his birth, I felt the light shine all the way through my heart.  That feeling of emptiness was gone, and I finally felt a true sense of happiness.  I'll always miss my girl, but I smile and have a warm feeling now when I think of her.

A baby changes everything

I'm smiling now as I get ready to bid adieu to 2018, thinking about Jewel and Royal Babies and family and hidden messages just waiting to be discovered.  I'm watching the ball getting ready to drop in Times Square (hey--I was there!).  

My champagne glass and heart are full as I toast to Jewel and see her tail wagging, her big brown eyes shining, and hear her softly snoring.

And here's to our Royal Babies and all the big, beautiful Thompson family as I carry your laughter and love with me into 2019.

And here's to travels near and far as I dream of home and beaches and sunshine.

And here's to retirement as I piece together themes and messages and look forward to discovering a new direction.

And to you, my friends, as I reflect on the joy of kindred spirits and soul sisters.

Wishing you all a new year full of love and happiness--Happy 2019!

Ringing in 2019 with books and bubbles

90 And Fabulous

My mom turns 90 years old this month.  NINETY.  I remember so vividly when my Grandpa Ivan, her dad, turned 90.  At the time I couldn't imagine my parents at that age.  As it turned out, my dad never reached that milestone, but Mom--reach it she has, and with such vitality and presence.  We've been celebrating all month long because turning 90 is a big deal. The party began with a big family weekend at Christmas Lake with all 35 loving family members present.  We've had small brunches and lunches and suppers, and we'll have another big celebration  at our traditional spot, Elway's, this weekend.  I wanted to step back from all the fanfare for a bit, though, and just focus on the amazing life my mom, Leola Mae Thompson, has led.

There are so many things I love about Mom, one of them being her artistic talent as a quilter.  Every one of us has at least one of her gorgeous creations, and in each block, each stitch, we feel her love caressing us.  I think the best way to really understand her life is to look at it like one of her quilts, block by amazing block.  

Block One--Daughter, Sister

Mom's quilt design began to form when she was born the first child of Ivan and Emily Jambor.  Indeed, Grandma Emily was a quilter, sewing together scraps of colorful fabric for her little family.    Mom and her little brother Larry grew up wrapped in the warmth of loving parents who valued hard work and education.  Mom excelled in school and graduated as valedictorian of her class of 1944.

Block Two--Working Girl

The backing for Mom's quilt can be found in her solid upbringing.  It influenced her greatly as she left home and began her college and working career.  Grandma Emily was a teacher her entire working years, so it was natural that Mom followed her footsteps.  She also worked in a downtown Lincoln office and loved the life of a single girl in a big city.  

Block Three--Bride and Young Wife

The design of a quilt is a personal choice, and Mom chose love and family over career.  She met my dad on a blind date and the quilt began to take shape.  They married on July 26, 1951, and together they built a life together, block after block.

Bock Four--Young Mother

With strong, even stitches, Mom and Dad brought six children into the world.  They moved from Lincoln to Alliance, and it was there that they made their home.  Mom chose staying home and being with her kids over a career, and we all loved knowing she was always there waiting for us, whether coming home from school or practice or a game or even a date or movie.  

Block Five--Growing Family

Sometimes more fabric is needed as the blocks begin to take shape.  Mom and dad found their home beginning to empty out as kids graduated and went to college, yet the family grew as marriages brought new family members and love.

Block Six--Sorrow

Sometimes a quilt block doesn't quite fit in with the original plan, and adjustments have to be made in order to continue.  Mom didn't plan her block of sorrow, but way too early in her life she became a widow.  My dad's sudden and unexpected death in 1982 devastated all of us and shattered our lives.  Mom tightened up her stitches and became the force that kept us together.  The grieving process is long and hard and heart wrenching, and often the threads of her quilt frayed around this block, but she always put so much effort in fixing this part of her life.

Block Seven--Grandmother
"We find delight in the beauty and happiness of children that makes the heart too big for the body."  Emerson

Dad took a big part of Mom's heart with him to Heaven. It was important for her to try and regain some of the joy that was missing.  Enter the grandkids--all nine of them!  Mom loves being a grandma and a great grandma, and these beautiful faces are the blocks that add the most color to her quilt.  She has always been there to make yummy treats or babysit for days at a time while busy moms and dads worked or to teach the fine points of crafting and sewing.  Almost all of the grandkids owe their love of coffee to her.  And every one of them has been comforted immensely in the loving lap of Grams.

Block Eight--Great Grandmother

Nine and soon to be ten angelic faces surround this quilt of love.  Grams has held each one in her loving arms.  They are the lucky ones--to have the opportunity to learn from and be loved by their great grandmother.

Block Nine--90 Fabulous Years!

Imagination, vision, hard work, patience, confidence, and love are all essential components of every quilt.  For 90 years, my mom has lived her life with these qualities front and center.  They have seen her through the Great Depression years that eventually resulted in her parents losing their farm.  They were with her when she began her life with my dad during the Fifties--a time of change with televisions and hula hoops and Elvis! The Sixties brought her color TVs and mini skirts and The Beatles.  She watched the Seventies roll in computers and microwave ovens and The Brady Bunch.  Then the Eighties ushered in VCRs and CDs and Cabbage Patch dolls.  Cell phones and the internet debuted in the Nineties.  What a joy and honor it was to ring in a new century with my mom as we counted down the seconds on 12.31.1999 and toasted with champagne at 12 a.m. on 1.1.2000.  Witnessing all this change only adds to the strength and beauty of this life.

On this eve of your 90th birthday, Mom, I want you to know how grateful I am that you're my mother.  The design of your life quilt is reflected so much in my own, from your love of books and newspapers and travel (but not your coffee obsession😄 ) to your nurturing love for your children and grandchildren, my favorite passions emerged--teaching English and being an aunt.  I can't imagine life without you as my mother and friend.  

Happy, happy 90th birthday, Mom--I love you so much!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  For your love, for your devotion, and for your life quilt that keeps us all warm and safe and forever loved.

with empty blocks just waiting for your next adventure!