Loving Daughters
Today, I was searching for something I wanted to include in one of my blogs and my wife Pam got into her secret hiding place. She ran across some things our daughters had written a few years ago. Pam was crying before she got the first item read. I figured if it has that much impact on her that perhaps others may like to read it too. Providing my daughters will approve, the story follows.
Loving Daughters
In August, 2008, my daughters, Tamara and Kristi, provided my wife Pam with one of the best birthday presents she has ever received. She was so pleased that she couldn’t get finished looking at it for about two hours because she welled up and cried each time she tried. They had both written down some of the reasons they loved her from their early lives to the present. Pam guards these documents and keeps them in a secret hiding place so it wasn’t easy to pry them away from her to allow me to include them in this blog. These documents speak for themselves so I won’t waste any more words on them. I hope you enjoy them and can see what loving daughters we have raised.
From Kristi to her Mom:
Kristi with her Mom 1974
“Happy Birthday Mom!
Mom, through the years, I have many wonderful memories of you and the things you have done for me. Below are listed just a few. Thank you so much for all you have done for me. I love you and I hope your birthday is wonderful!
* I remember all the stories you used to read to us when we were little. Thanks for teaching me to love reading!
* I remember when I was sick, you would make me homemade potato soup or chicken noodle soup and you would rub Vicks on my chest and put the vaporizer in my room. You took such good care of me and made me feel better. Thanks for loving me even when I was sick!
* I remember all of the arts and crafts you used to do with us! It was so fun when we would take classes together like painting t-.shirts and making Christmas decorations. Thanks for teaching me to be creative!
* Remember that day we spent at the hair braiding class! I had so much fun that day! Thanks!
* Thanks for all the times we made holiday cookies! It was so fun to have my friends over, or Just you and Tamara to make all those wonderfully delicious sugar cookies! Thanks for teaching me to cook!
* I remember all those barrettes with little ribbons and flowers on them you made me wear in my hair! Those made me feel so pretty! Thank You!
* I remember going to Grandma’s house and helping you and her out in the kitchen, making Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner! Thanks for giving me holiday traditions and wonderful memories!
* I remember making home made ice cream with you! That was yummy to the tummy! Thanks!
* I remember all the fun we had in Colorado. Going for walks, raft rides, horseback riding, and camp fires. Thanks for those wonderful memories!
* I remember watching you and Dad two step across the dance floor and thinking how wonderful it is to have parents that are so in love with one another. Thanks for showing me how to love!
* I remember when I called you out at camp and told you I thought Carl was the one. Thanks for being there to listen!
* I remember all the hard work you did to make sure my wedding day was wonderful. Thanks for making it a day to remember!
* I remember all the times I was sad and that you were always there with an encouraging word! Thank you for being there for me when I was down!
* I remember the first time I saw Ben in my arms thinking…Wow, now I know how much Mom must love me….It’s hard to explain how much a mother loves her children! I love you for loving me so much Mom!
* I love to watch you play with Ben, Luke, and Sarah! They are so lucky to have a Grandma like you! I love you!”
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From Tamara to Mom:
Tamara with her Mom in 1977
Dear Mom,
You have been the sunshine in my life over the years. You have always been there for me in thick and thin, when I needed you the most. Regardless of my own selfishness at times, you always put your kids first. I have learned from you how to be an exceptional mother and live an honest, happy, fulfilling life. You have taught me what matters most in life, and I am grateful. You are the brightest, sweetest, most wonderful person I know, and I love you very much. Some of my favorite memories of you over the years are…..
* The party you threw for me on my sixth birthday dancing to “Thriller” by Michael Jackson and getting those real pearls from Hunter Hoestenback.
* The time when I was two or three years old and you made me give back the pack of gum I stole.
* All the times we made holiday cookies and you let Kristi and I decorate them.
* When I was five in Houston and you took us to see the Shelton’s talking ET, and you helped us make the Strawberry Shortcake doll house for our yard.
* Every pigtail you curled with your fingers and every ponytail you put up for me, until I was too cool to have you do my hair.
* Helping me get ready for clogging competitions and all the times we clogged together.
* Our trips to Colorado and hanging out in Ma-mo and Po-po’s cabin and eating watermelon on the forth of July.
* The awesome stockings we always got and great Santa gifts.
* Hanging ornaments on the Christmas tree together.
* Letting me get away with things I probably shouldn’t have.
* The time you made me get up in the middle of the night and go to the bathroom at Mildred and Joes because they had one of those talking toilets.
* When you held Luke for the first time and how you looked at him.
* Our morning talks on the way to work.
* All the funny substitute words you say, like ‘Matter Well and Wells To’.
* Your smile.”
L- R Pam (GrandMom), Zack, Sarah, Luke, and Ben ( her grandchildren )
Thanks for reading Loving Daughters,
Hawg jaw Bill