January 19, 1921

A Texas beauty was born on that day.

Sassy, feisty, so loving and so loved.  She was the next youngest in a family of 7 and to hear the stories told she may well have been the sassiest.  She was a straight A studet that could not learn fast enough and such a determined indiviual that she carried a fighting cat all the way across town.  Because she wanted him and she wouldn't give up.  She was a "Rosie the Riveter" during WWII, though she was quick to tell you she did not rivet or weld.  She worked mathematical computations to figure tolerances.  The man in charge didn't think she dould do it because she was "just a woman."  She picked up a pencil and showed him just what a lady could do.

She met my daddy when he was stationed in Texas and married him just 2 months later.

My Mama and Papa shook their heads at her marrying a Yankee but held their small wedding reception at their home.  With her sisters baking the cake and providing the food.

He was the love of her life as she was his and together they  had 4 little Texans, 3 boys and me,

then 4 little Illinoians, 3 more boys and K.

 
She thought she wanted 13 kids or maybe it was 14.  She ended up with 8 and thought it was just right and that the 8 she had were the most amazing creatures in the world.  She let us know that in every way.  By look, by touch, by word, by everything she did for us in our every day lives.  And by being proud of whatever we did and just who we were.

Mother, thank you for the blessings of 7 siblings and the family that came with them.

Mother, thank you for teaching me to be the woman that I am.  For giving me the courage it takes to be strong and endure.  Through any adversity.

Thank you for teaching me to be calm, gentle and serene in every day life.

Thank you for the wisdom you imparted; teaching me to choose my battles and giving me the ability to ask myself why? before I gave a response.

Thank you for teaching me to be a mother, by being such an incredible one; with endless patience and laughter.


Thank you for teaching me the awe, the wonder and the grace that life holds

Mother, thank you for my life.

I thank God every day that He gifted me to you and that He let us have you for so long.

Though now it seems so short.

Happy Birthday Mother

I love you!

I miss you so much, but I'm envisioning
you walking with the angels.

and Mother?  I have a Texas Sheet Cake baking in the oven. To celebrate your life.