More memories ....

I am spending this week at my brother, Tim's, home. For about 4-1/2 years, it was just him and me! And we were quite content after I finally decided I could accept another child into the family. I'm afraid I was quite the spoiled little girl and was not about ready to relinquish that place!! However, the time came that I not only accepted the little brother but finally decided that he was quite humorous. So, he would entertain -- I would laugh at him. The more he entertained, the more I laughed!

Tim had a very special place in my mother's heart. While she loved us all, he was her firstborn son. Money was very scarce during that time and the story she tells is that they really couldn't afford to buy meat products. As Tim grew up, it seemed that he craved meat (we can tell you all kinds of stories about that) and my mother attributed it to that.

During the last month of my mother's life, a good portion of it was spent in a semi-coma. Tim told me about the day he visited her and she was basically unresponsive to the events around her. He began to sing "Amazing Grace" and twice during the song, she reached her arms to hug him -- evidence that she was aware her oldest son was nearby.

It was not that she loved any of us any less -- each of us had special relationships and the boys (especially Mark) loved to tease her by doing things that he knew would annoy her at least a little. Like sitting down at the piano when he walked in the house or apartment and playing some song she thought might be too worldly! Let me assure you that it was not an act of disobedience but you would usually hear, "Oh, Mark!!"

We laughed together after she passed away (I know that sounds a little odd but we were remembering things that made her special) and we talked about her calls from the laundry room. If she needed to discuss something with us she felt was private (perhaps pertaining to concerns about my dad's health or finances), she would call us from the laundry room. There were times when these were serious calls and others when she needed one of us to give her perspective on whatever was going on that day.

As our parents got older, they decided that they could appear 'normal' in their marriage. They always wanted us to believe (and we did and still do) that theirs was a marriage made in heaven and solid as a rock. I believe it was but they are as human as the rest of us. Thank goodness!! They could disagree and it was usually when my dad interrupted (or my mother thought he did) and she lost her train of thought (which could happen frequently.) He thought she was done -- she had just stopped to think for a minute. Oh my ... what fun that could produce especially when you were a child looking on ... I was relieved to know that they were as human as the rest of us!!

My mother is of Swedish heritage -- and I believe she and her mother (oh, and Aunt Wanda, too) invented the cliche', "Stubborn Swede". (None of us inherited that trait -- ha!!!) There was just so far you could push her ... and her first response to a request was often 'No'. We always knew we could persuade our dad more easily although he always started the answer with, "What did your mother say?" Aw, shucks!! However, many times the two of them went into another to discuss our request and sometimes the answer was 'yes' and sometimes 'no'.

Successful surgery

RJ had a successful surgery (only took about 25 minutes)! I'm sure he may be uncomfortable for a couple days but other than that, he should be fine. Had he not had the surgery, there is a chance he could not have fathered children (okay, so I could have said it in a more simple way). I think it was harder on the parents than on RJ! Thanks for your prayers!

Little boys are special ...

Please pray for our grandson, RJ, who is to have some corrective surgery tomorrow at All Children's Hospital. (scheduled for 10:45am) While it appears to be a routine type of surgery, needless to say, it brings some fear and concern to parents and grandparents. So, we would appreciate your prayers -- I know Shonna and Ron will, too!

One of the things I miss about being away from home is getting to see my grandkids -- especially the little guys who live nearby. Sometime it is a hug from Kamen, an "I love you" from Tyler and an "uh, too" ... after I've told RJ I love him (his rendition of "I love you, too"), each one is a precious memory.

Today, I got to be with another special little guy, Seth Balty who just turned 4 (well, he told me thought he might be 5 ... ). He was sooo much fun even though I know he worried his mother, Amy, when she felt like he might be moving into verbal overflow! However, I was intrigued from the first moment he saw me and said, "I've been wanting to see you!" as he climbed over me to get to the chair beside me. And then he said, "I was looking for your car!!" (I have a rental car so he had been disappointed.) He kept me quite occupied and while we did get some 'girl talk' in, we decided that the best plan would be for me to go to their house the next time so Seth could play and we could talk.

However, it was great to be with Amy ... she's looking great and while she is not 100% yet, it is obvious from the last time I saw her that God is bringing healing to her body.

So, here's a photo I took of Seth today -- when he was still enough for me to take it. He's one sharp little guy and if you listen closely, you will learn lots of important info!

My mother, my friend, part 2!

I didn't include a program from Augustana in the previous post ... also, if you are interested in actually reading the articles, you may click on the photo and it will take you to an enlargement -- okay, so you already knew that, right??

My mother, my friend!

As Mother's Day nears, my mind continues to go back over the years -- after my mother's passing, Rachel and I went through photo albums and scanned in photo after photo. It's amazing what memories these brought back -- some of the photos actually didn't have anything to do with us directly -- but, indirectly, definitely!!

Piano ... piano lessons!! Practice ... lots of it! And obviously, my mother had practiced a lot! A whole lot as she had the privilege of providing accompaniment at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. We found this program among the photos ...

I also found two newspaper articles and I realize they are difficult to read -- however, one reported that my mother was the first female manager of the Rock Island High School Band. I was impressed!!

And, also, she was also a spelling champion! Like we wouldn't know that. I'm not sure that any one of us have problems with spelling. With a dad who majored in English and a mother who was a spelling champion, we were destined to be somewhat aware of rules of grammar. Do I always adhere to those rules? No, not always by any stretch. (Like ending a sentence with preposition! I seem to do that quite frequently!!)

My mother played down some of her accomplishments and I wish I would have pressed her more to share. I don't think she wanted to appear proud. But, what talents she had that were recognized!!

So, once again, I honor my mother ... because she has instilled many of her talents in her grandchildren! And they are reminders every day of a very special lady!

My mother's legacy!

This photo tells the story ... this is a legacy that is worth more than any amount of money a parent could leave to their children. She wore out more than one Bible in her lifetime.




Rachel's youngest children, Juliana and Seth Mark, may be young but they had a special relationship with Grandma. Seth Mark in particular had a tough time the day they visited my mother's grave.

Mother's Day is just around the corner ...

It has been a year and a half since my mother went on to her heavenly home. At times, it seems like just yesterday and other times when it seems like forever.

This week, I have passed the Mother's Day cards on several occasions and my instinct has been to go find a card for my mom. I was never one to get cards delivered early -- the best of intentions but usually was a little behind. So, there's been a nagging thought, "I need to get a Mother's Day card!"


So, rather than buying a Mother's Day card, I thought I would post a short blog now (and a longer one closer to Mother's Day) including photos from my growing up days. I am the oldest of six which was a special place but also held special responsibility that continues to this day.


While I never attended Olivet Nazarene College (or University as it is now), I was there! I was born while my dad was attending ONC.

I wasn't too thrilled to have a baby brother added to the mix. However, today I am quite thrilled with him since he allows me to stay in his home when I'm in Atlanta. But, that's not the only reason I love him.

Jumping way ahead, I loved my brothers but had hoped that sometime we might add another girl to our family.

So, along came Rachel -- we waited FOREVER for a girl to join our family. I was almost 15 when she arrived and my life has never been the same. I am truly blessed!

How well I remember when I graduated from high school. A huge graduating class of "1" .. Yup, I was valedictorian and all around flunky -- all wrapped into one!!

My mother was a lady of all kinds of talents -- from being an accomplished pianist to a talented seamstress. She excelled in secretarial skills. She loved us all -- and never, ever showed favoritism. Most of all, she prayed for all of us! I remember hearing at the funeral that the thing the grandchildren would miss most would be the ability to call Grandma Boynton and know that she would be praying for whatever request and concern was on their minds that day.

We are truly blessed to have had the influence of a godly mother! And what a legacy she has left for us!

So, Mother -- we miss you more than you know. But, we also know that it won't be that long until we meet you in heaven. And I know that you will be waiting, and will welcome us with, "I thought I heard you coming!"

An early Happy Mother's Day!!