"Think Happy Thoughts, Grandma!"

Today is the 2nd anniversary of my mother’s passing. Rachel sent a text early this morning which suggested that in honor of our mother/grandmother, we think “happy thoughts”. The background for that occurred years ago when my mother had double foot surgery. As some of the wires, etc., were being removed, Jene’, who was just a little girl at the time, looked at her grandmother and said, “Think happy thoughts, Grandma!” My mother later put together a book of cute sayings from children and named the book after that very phrase, “Think Happy Thoughts”. So, it was very fitting that today we would do just that. Following Rachel’s suggestion, I sent out an email to relatives asking for their contributions. I am going to include the ones I’ve already received here and I’m sure more will come in over the next couple days.

An unusual thing happened to my dad tonight. He reminded me that when they were still living at Berkshire (independent living) my mother always had at least one can of mandarin oranges in their refrigerator as a snack. They often would eat a little bowl in the evening or for dessert. My dad’s comment tonight was, “Would you believe what we had tonight for dinner?” Mandarin Oranges!!

From Linda .. My happy thought for today is probably the 24 hour span of time that Mother and I made my wedding dress. "Boynton Boys", you can remember our living room on 12th Street. I had a bridal portrait scheduled the following day and we hadn't even begun to make my dress. So, we stayed up all night. We had material/lace laid all over the floor as Mother was making tiers of lace over my skirt and as she cut out the pattern, we had them laid out on the floor in a 'skirt' pattern. It was a full skirt (I wore a hoop under it) and I had no idea how we would get it done. I still am amazed that I didn't feel totally wiped out at the studio the next day!! But, we got it done!

Mother was quite the seamstress -- she taught me how to sew on newspapers! Yup -- you sewed right down the classified ads where the lines separated the ads. That taught you how to sew a straight line. Can I sew a straight line now? Who knows? I haven't sewn in quite a while so maybe I should hit the newspaper again before I try!!

From Mark … Of course, and probably the most remembered thing about Mother(Grandma) was how she would get after me(as I mentioned at her funeral) about how I would play the piano and the version of the gospel standards weren't exactly 'her' way of playing the song. They always had a little 'twist'. Of course, considering the source, it's no wonder she didn't exactly 'like' my version of 'What A Friend We Have In Jesus'. Can you blame her? I still try to play on occasion(poor Shelley), and it's always remembering Mother while I play.

I'll never forget the time I was on my way to Tim and Susan's house while I lived in Atlanta, and needed a 'contact' list which was on my old computer(her computer) sent to me via e-mail. I tried and tried to explain to her how to 'reply' and then tried to explain how to attach the file to the e-mail. I was driving and I had to pull off the road. It took me 20 minutes to explain that part to her. What I would give to have 20 minutes with Mom(AND Dad). Time is too short and family is too important. Always keep family first.I'll never forget the time we siblings all met and had breakfast together. Mom and Dad knew nothing about Tim and I being in town. I believe the plan was for Linda, Rachel, Joel and Thad to go by to see them that particular Saturday morning. After meeting for breakfast, we all headed over to Mom and Dad's. While knowing that 4 of their children were going to visit, all of a sudden Tim walked into their apartment, followed moments later by myself. I guess being that I was the last to enter, I received the biggest hug in my entire life from Mother. She laid her head on my shoulder and broke down and cried with all kinds of emotions that all of her 6 children were there to visit, and all at the same time. We six children sat down and visited with Mom and Dad, laughing, crying and telling stories that brought so many emotional memories back to our minds. We had a great time which ended in prayer, and if Linda wouldn't mind, find the picture we took that day, attach it to this and 'reply to all'. You can see by the picture that all of our eyes are red from all of the emotions we wonderfully shared as siblings with Mom and Dad. That was the last time we ever had a family get together with just the siblings, and it's a wonderful memory to have. We wished that the rest of you could have been there. There just wouldn't have been enough room for another 50-60 people in their small apartment. LOL! (Note from Linda: I couldn't find the serious photo from that day. I could locate the funny one but not the serious one.)

From Thad … I don't know if this would necessarily be called a 'happy' thought or not, but I'm sure Mark, Joel, and I will never, ever forget the brown vinyl belt that wound up in a tight little circle. As kids, we would see just how much Mom would put up with! The bad part about it was that if she went for it, you were toast. She never picked it up if she didn't plan on using it. On top of that, if you got it from Mom, you knew that when Dad got home in the evening, you were gonna feel a real belt on you backside just for good measure (or was that because we had upset 'his woman'?). I would just be interested in whether or not Linda or Rachel ever 'got the belt' from Mother!

From Rachel ... My favorite lately is how she didn't wish for yesterday in raising us kids but taught me to enjoy each season of my kids' lives.


From Sandi (my daughter) ... I loved all of gma's emails. And she was so supportive of all the things we did in ministry with youth and young adults. Funny -- when she would tell you she was praying for you and you were unsure if that was just an encouragement or she thought you were doing something wrong! lol! She was the one I wanted praying whenever I was dealing with something big! She is missed!

From Shonna (my daughter) … Well, a lot of people think that I'm all humor when, in fact, I'm very spiritual as well! I don't have one particular memory that sticks out but something that sticks with me everyday is how Grandma answered the phone when she knew it was me. "Well, hello Shonna!" she would say. Even now, I can hear her voice! I believe that Grandma was an angel sent here by God and everytime I hear her voice, even now, I can hear God's message of...Don't fear! I'm watching over you and I'm here for you. Praise God that He allowed Grandma in our lives for so long!!

From Kasi (my granddaughter) .. I liked how you KNEW grandma was praying for you because it would get answered the very next day. She had a pact with God or something. I really miss that!

From Jene' (Rachel’s daughter)... Favorite memories of gma would be all the [church] services I was in with her where she would get up and testify. Every time she did it, she put everything into it. (Note: This morning, Jene’ had the responsibility of having devotions in her class at Olivet – she shared about Grandma’s prayer life. What a fitting tribute for today!!)

From Shara (Rachel’s daughter) ... I luv the random things she did, always asking for some of my food, cutting out newspapers, letting me drive the scooter ... I haven't since.

From Jacinta (Joel’s daughter)... Per Aunt Linda's text, one of my favorite gma memories was helping her with the computer and teaching her how to use Excel for the Family List; I also enjoyed her encouraging emails.

From Roxanne (my daughter) ... I always counted on her prayers. She seemed to have a direct line to God, either that or his cell number.

From Juliana (Rachel’s daughter) … i remember when we would go visit Grandma and Grandpa and we would always be afraid to ask for cookies because would always want to eat them and so we would have my mom ask grandma if us kids could have some and she would let us get about 3 and i will NEVER forget that.

From Jonathan (Tim’s son)... Her and grandpa helping with a paper on predestination in high school. Ended up Christopher and gpa debating different views by gma always bringing it to a close with prayer.

From Allen (Rachel’s husband) ... It's weird but what i miss most is the exclamation..."ALLEN... that's naughty!" Followed with, "Who painted the ceiling?" What i miss the least is...."Allen, i need to talk with you for a moment." HA!

From Seth (via Rachel) … When I asked Seth about his memories of G'ma they were the same as Juliana's getting cookies out of her refrig..the chocolate striped ones and all she wanted in return was a hug first...Seth was ALWAYS quick to hug her. It has amazed me, how Seth through out the year on occasion would be crying when he went to bed. I would ask, "Seth what is wrong?" and he would always answer "I miss G'ma I wish she didn't have to die". It is so neat that she made such an impact on his life in such a short time and he had such a sweet special place in his heart for her.

From Susan (Tim’s wife) … Wow…It’s hard to believe it’s been 2 years since “Mother” left this earth for her eternal home with her Father in heaven.

Mother was a very special lady who conveyed her love for you in so many ways… Of coarse the best way you knew was that she was praying specifically for the situations that were on your priority list. It was so encouraging to hear her pray for you aloud over the phone and to know she would continue to pray long after you hung up…

Mother would call me many many times with medical questions and concerns. They were mostly related to Dad or even other family members. She would rarely ask anything about herself. She seemed to want to take care of everyone else first.

She would initiate phone calls to tell you she was thinking about our family and ask about them and the various activities or needs each one would have. She would go thru the list… Tim, Melissa, Christopher, Jonathan, and Michael…then me. Mother had a way of encouraging you even in the most despairing moments. One of her favorite sayings was to “hold steady” and wait on God.

I will always appreciate her coming down to be with me after each of the boys was born. I know that was love in action! She gave me wonderful advice and was filled with wisdom when it came to “bringing up boys”(and NEVER forget your camera!)

Her hugs were warm and heartfelt… Her laughter and sweet spirit was remembered long after a visit 500 miles away. She (and Dad) have always told me that I have been like a daughter to them making me feel a part of their family. Mother has been “my Mom” since I lost my own Mother @ the age of 18. I had know her longer than my own Mother. (32 years) God was really taking care of me!

The loss of her presence here is missed so much, but I smile and am at peace knowing she is rejoicing with The One whom she loved to praise and give Glory to!