A century of a life!

Today would be my mom's 100th birthday. She used to say that she didn't want to live to 100. In fact, after she turned 90, things started to go awry with her health - and she said maybe she should have stopped at 90!

She lived a good long life. She was happy. She was able to live in her own home. Her children visited. So did her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She did a little traveling. She took a long-dreamed of trip across the Canadian Rockies. 

But it got harder. And her health did take a turn - the Big C reared it's ugly head. She said she didn't want treatment. And so she was home - and asking Donna, "When will I get better?" And Donna said, "You aren't going to get better, Mother. Remember we said we didn't want treatment." 

And from that point on, she ate less and less. She seemed to be shutting down. It did not go on long. She was kept comfortable. 6 of her 12 children were with her when she died. She was able to die at home, in her room, although we'd gotten a hospital bed.

And so today we celebrate the good, long life of Mary Clayton. And we are so grateful we got to be her children! And we are grateful too that she lived past 90!

Remembering Grandma Mary today

Today is the one year anniversary of my mother's death.  I am not only grateful that I was blessed to have her in my life for so many years, I am also grateful that our children all knew her well.

Bonny was her first grandchild - and she came when she was born - and they always had a special bond.

 

Harry got spend lots of time with her too, and she loved having him visit with his family.

 

Phoebe had some fun adventures with her grandma - and Mother loved hearing about her adventures as she grew.

 

Eliza was shy and withdrawn around most adults, but she grew out of that and loved being with her Grandma Mary.

 

Hannah and Mom had some sewing adventures together - and Mom never forgot them!!

 

Mom used to say that she could tell Noah whatever she wanted to - and she could - and he loved her all the more for her honesty.

I am also grateful that so many of my own grandchildren knew her too - I never knew a great-grandma - it's a special blessing.

The anniversaries of her passing will pile up - but there will always be memories to cherish.

First year without my mom on her birthday!!

I am so grateful that I had my mom with me for so many years.  In spite of that, I wish she was here still - because each day I think of something I'd love to share with her.

And I am grateful my children have such great, vivid memories of her too.

Happy Birthday to the best mom ever!!

A sweet farewell -

My sweet mother died tonight.  I don't think I always referred to her as sweet - I'm sure I used to use adjectives like bossy or nagging - when I was young and ignorant!!

In retrospect, my mother was about as good as a mother could be!  She encouraged me all the time to be a good student.  She taught me homemaking skills I wasn't sure I wanted to know.  She set a wonderful example of spirituality and obedience. She assured me all the time that I could "do it!"  She could be counted on to be her, who she really was - all the time!  I think that was the greatest blessing of all.

And tonight, as we were sitting around her bed, singing Primary songs and hymns, reading our favorite scriptures, telling stories and sharing anecdotes, she quietly slipped away from us - and it was almost seamless.  One minute she was breathing shallowly, and the next she was not.  

We all feel blessed and privileged to have been there for the start of her next journey.  We were quipping that Dad probably came and said, "They're all busy chatting Mary, come ahead with me."

Heaven is a little brighter, the earth around me is a little dimmer tonight.  But God's in His Heaven, and "all's right with the world!"

A little holiday in GH

It was a school holiday for us today - we take two Mondays in February instead of a Friday/Monday for President's Day -  so I went out to visit my mom.  Ostensibly I was going to sew dolly dresses again, but we got to talking.  And the talking was more compelling!

I started out telling her about our adventure Saturday with our "stair walk," and in the process mentioned driving by the Angelus Temple, where Aimee Semple McPherson "reigned" for many years.  And she told me about a time in 1937 when she and her friends went to the Angelus Temple to see Aimee Semple McPherson!  

She described these clotheslines they had stretched from the stage to the rows of seats - it's a pretty large building, in case you've never seen it.  There were clothespins on the lines, and you were supposed to pin money to the line.  Apparently Ms. McPherson was an incredible fundraiser.

When I got home, Harry googled her name, and we took turns reading out loud to each other about her rather tumultuous life.  I may need to check out a bio on her!!

Later in the conversation, she mentioned that my dad had always wanted to be an optometrist - a fact I did not know.  She said, "You never heard him talk about it?  Well, maybe he only talked to me about it."

The things you don't know!

"Mary, Mary, plain as any name can be . . ."

Happy day to day to my wonderful mother - 93 years young!!

 

Who knew back when she was 17 just what life had in store for her?

 

This was baby number 2 - I'm pretty sure she wasn't imagining 10 more!!

 

 Kind of a beat up photo, but I really remember my mom this way!

And my dad this way too.

 

With Bonny - such a treat to tackle motherhood myself with her wise counsel to guide me - and the wonderful meals she prepared when she came to help out.

 

Chatting with Phoebe.

 

With Joan and grandson.

 

At Hannah's wedding.

 

Harry F. can get her out on the dance floor!

 

She loves all the in-laws too!!  Here with Eliza and Matt.

 

She can bring a smile to that big kid there!!  (And the "little kid" too - although even Phoebe is now taller than she is I guess!)

 

Decked out in style with some of the sistren.

 

She waited - it seemed to her that she waited forever - for grandkids - and loved them all.  Still does.

The years roll on - Mom continues to brighten our lives - and we are grateful to be able to wish her a Happy 93rd Birthday!!

Saturday Fun in the Valley

Dawn and the kids and I drove out to GH today. We've been trying to pamper Dawn, so she went for a mani/pedi and a facial while Mom, Donna, and I tended the kids.

Eve and Donna playing "Hollywood!"

The kids took baths and then wore shirts of Donna's. Funny how kids love bathing in "other" tubs!

As long as her mom's not around, Isla is willing to be with me!!

Eve - showing her "stuff" for her upcoming competition.

Isla loved the Polly Pocket stuff.

Mom fixed a great dinner for us - Donna said, "Does this all seem familiar, kids underfoot while you cook?"

And Mom said, "These kids aren't in the way!!"

Old habits never die it seems!!

And kids still enjoy being at Grandma Mary's!!

A visit with Grandma Mary!

On Thursday the 21st we went out to GH to visit Grandma Mary. It took us about an hour just to pack the van to cover all the contingencies!! But it was worth the effort!!

Running through the sprinklers was still a hit - just like it was, in this same backyard, when I was a child!

The ever-popular water guns! We brought Razor Scooters too, since Grandma Mary has an excellent circular driveway for zooming around on. We parked cars at each end to keep anyone from zooming into the street - it worked just fine!

We brought sewing projects - and got all of them done!! PJ pants for the boys, a skirt for Agnes, a pile of mending for Phoebe! I even got a pair of pants hemmed up for myself!

Grandma Mary can still help lay out a pattern just right!

The backyard was just right in the afternoon.

Leslie and Sarah helped out with the kids, and Leslie made a mean dish of Martha Stewart's Homemade Mac and Cheese - a winner for sure!! Just sitting and visiting was lots of fun - Mom would say, noting the clutter of toys on the floor, "This is just how it used to be!"

Mary and Donna joined us after work, and we also saw David and Diane. We didn't leave til 10 p.m. - it was hard to tear ourselves away - there's always more news to catch up on!

The required "group photos" - always a chore!! But good for a laugh!!

Henry, Calvin, and Agnes fell in love with Donna's upstairs hideaway!! And loved having so many movies to choose from!

It was like old times - at least like the old times when I came down when my kids were "little kids!" Sometimes you can go home again!!

The weekend that is going on now!

Bonny sent me this - she and Bruce and the two little girls are enjoying a snow day in Mammoth. The big girls stayed with Donna last night - pressing school work was on their agenda. (There are pluses and minuses to being the big girls!!)

And I spent the night with my mom - to celebrate her 91st b-day. We ate homemade macaroni and cheese - that I made with detailed coaching from Mom - took a little shopping excursion to Ralphs and Michael's - and then had a rousing game of Super Scrabble! We also enjoyed visiting with David and Diane.

Before I left this morning, Mom and I walked for a couple of miles - she is a trouper - it's fun to walk around "Old Granada Hills!!" (Granada Hills is attempting to develop an "Old Town" on Chatsworth - and is calling Mom's neighborhood "Old Granada Hills" - probably to justify higher house prices!! It was the same old place - I guess those 50's tract houses are gaining antique status now!)

Now I'm home - getting on with my chores!! If anything exciting happens, I'll try to remember to document it!!

Happy Birthday Grandma Mary!!

Happy day today to my mom!! This is her "senior" picture. Don't you love the dress?"

(I'm looking forward to being old enough to think my senior picture is cool!!"

Mom is 91 today!! The party last year for her 90th was lots of fun - the year has really gone by quickly too.

Have a great day Mom - see you tomorrow!!

Saturday Night Dinner

We had Mom and Donna over tonight - they wanted to visit the invalid - who is definitely on the mend - and Donna wanted to ply Noah with her famous CCC.*

Mom is up for photo ops now - with her new eye!!

It's looking good! And that is not a pun!

Mom was commenting that the only part of her head that hasn't been messed with is her nose!! She can certainly see the humor in everything!

We enjoyed our visit - and the CCC!*

*chocolate chip cookies

Trekking out to the Valley

Hester and Andreas were in GH for a couple of days, so I went out there this evening to see Hester and meet Andreas - who seems to be a fine young man - I heartily approve of his addition to our family!!

Mary was there too - as was Joan, who is here until the 18th. We enjoyed a lovely dinner, and Andreas was the man of the hour getting Mary's new laptop up and running.

Mother won't let us take her picture, but she looks pretty good and seemed to have a better day.

Hester and Andreas are headed off to Australia - they do lead an interesting life and it was great visiting with them. We look forward to meeting - at least via the blog - their upcoming addition!

Isn't family wonderful??