Reflections on Mom

I posted the kids and thought I should add mine:

The Mothers I've known

Many have been constrained

By time, reason, or their own minds

To pass through life with but one mother

But me I have loved myriad

A young one I knew sprained her ankle

Quickly the rumor rampant was

They shoot lame horse and mothers

Though she never was ‘lame’

The UnAaronic mother and I

Had our outings

Made mini- loafs of bread with me

When I was too young to participate as I felt I should

The sporting mother showed many faces

I had a softball game that night, and

With no one else around she came

Warmed me up because I needed practice

That same softball fanatic mother

Drove multiple times to SLC with the team

One rule – no Unh, Unh, Unh music on the ride

What taste – I guess she wasn’t the music mother

The snurfer, that little snow surfing ski

Yes, another of her sports

She gamely tried it on the hill in back

Face plants, caressed in white, she looked divine

One mother named Hiawatha

Sloppy, floppy hat with paddle in hand

The 4^th on the St. Croix

With a handsome date at stern

The sporting mother so closely relates the gaming mother

In zeal, competitiveness and love of the chase

The three hand master, the card counter

She won, she laughed, and she won again without mercy

Scrabble, Quinto, Backgammon

Twixt, Quiddler, Crazy Kings

Othello, Five Straight, Rummicube

Master of all, loser at none – how fair is that

The English professor’s wife

Though he ruled the dictionary

In fact it was she who

Taught typing, corrected papers, typed themes

The funny girl mother

Laughed AT gifts of galvanized watering cans

Chortled at cardboard birthday cakes

And guffawed when others might have turned away

The movie star mother

Rode in limos with the stars

And forced others to watch Godzilla

So as not to have a deprived childhood

Was that mother the same Junie-Babe

The ‘tap-me’ in congratulations

The name sake of could it be, yes it was

A goose

The constant mother she was there

She graduated from Primary in 1966

And then from MIA in 1972

Hmmmm, so did I

The constant mother

The soft lap, the tender touch to sooth

After a long church day, a long school day, or work

Unfailing support when others were not

The constant mother –pillar of spirit

Bore testimony, supported a great man

Served as matron and advisor

Was sealed to me for eternity

Can mothers be girlfriends too

Oh surely she was and is

She wrote faithfully

With love never failing

The grandmother mother

Perhaps the finest of all

For she loves my own children without pause

And sees them as princely, and princessly, as do I

The crazy mother

Crazy socks, crazy cards, crazy kids

Crazy times, crazy hairdos, crazy fun

Oh, the mother wasn’t crazy it was I

Lastly there is the mother I love

My mother, Helen June Jackson Wilson

All of these mothers - everyone of which I have

Everyone of which I love

Reflections on a Grandmother

Reflections on Grandma Minnesota - which was how our children delineated between Rindy's Mom Bettie and my mom June.. I asked the kids to share their thoughts and determined that posting them might allow them, the memories to live longer. (if you want to edit let me know)

Mackey

One of my favorite memories of grandma is from when I was little like maybe ages 6-10. For some reason I'd be at grandma's for an extended period of time in the evening. No memory of anyone else being there so I guess you guys abandoned me for long periods of time as a child or something. Anyways, at these long nights grandma taught me how to play solitaire. First we started with just normal solitaire but each time this happened she changed what version of solitaire we'd play to make it a little harder. In retrospect, considering she's a gamer she was probably cheating and changing the rules but my mind didn't really gather that and it was still fun.

Most nights we watched the news but sometimes we'd watch Disney channel if I could build up the courage to ask to change the channel to 44. But since we mostly watched the news we saw a lot of weird stuff. I remember one night when something came on and the reporter mentioned the word "nude". I had to ask grandma what it meant and she explained it to me. And for some reason that's the night of solitaire I remember the most and it's not like I frequently forget the definition of nude so I don't know what my subconscious is trying to tell me but whatever.

Mostly though we talked about whatever tragedies my young soul was going through at the time. Probably wasn't that deep, but she listened to me nonetheless. Sometimes I'd ask her about her life and she'd tell me stories. My favorite story she'd tell was about the time she burned her hands cooking with her sister. I remember seeing the marks on her hands that were still there years later and staring in wonder. Anyways, it's still one of my favorite stories. 

Parker

For me it is just how much I connect with grandma when it comes to our humor and 
how we see the world. My favorite memories are the classic car rides to lunch or 
dinner where we would just laugh with each other and I turned her "ghetto" once. 
My most favorite memory was how she embraces my personality. Greatest example 
is her and I dancing in the kitchen. She is always checking to make sure that 
everyone had what they needed. Even when we moved she would bring home leftovers 
for me. Whenever we were there she would always offer food or anything. She is 
the perfect example of service, charity, and of course the extreme competitive 
gene that we all have. 

I LOVE GMA!!!

Brigham

I've thought about spending summer days in the pool, stopping by their home all the time during high school - card games, orange slices, and ginger ale - calling grandma every day while walking home from college, quick rushed trips from Chicago up to WI up to MN and back every time I was in the Midwest for longer than a week. 

I thought of how no matter which of the three houses of theirs I visited, they were always home to me. I always felt comfortable to take off shoes, give a hug, open the fridge, and flop on the couch.

She has been one of my best friends. Always asking about my dating life, yet in a way that never ever made me uncomfortable. Just felt loved, thought of, and dreamed over.

Today I wondered about how after she dies, how she will see Grandpa, Jodean, her parents, siblings, and friends and be so happy. Then, after while they'll give her an update on all of her children and grandchildren. When she gets to me, I pictured her going, "He's working for who?! doing what?! where?!" And then being told who my wife would be, approving of her, and then rolling up her sleeves and saying, "allright, you three grandparents have had your time to hook him up, now let's all four do this together, it's about time!"

Blair

Favorite memories....I'm just gonna start writing and see where it goes

1. Most of my memories of grandma are from ages 12-18 when we (usually Dad and I) would stop by G&G's house after some activity (mutual, basketball, etc...). I don't have a great story, but I remember always feeling welcomed and at home.

2. X-mas was always a special time of year in Plymouth. Seeing grandma on Christmas day and swinging by her house was always a treat. I can still think of all the decorations and trains. I think she always loved xmas more than any other holiday.

3. I'm very glad June met June. I can still remember her disbelief that we actually named our daughter June and she thought that was silly. Kinda the same reaction with Dean's name. I think and I hope she enjoyed having someone named in her honor.

4. We spend so much time at Grandma's pool. Although, I don't think I ever saw her swim once...literally. She was always outside on the patio watching, talking, maybe even having a snack ready.

5. I remember going to brunch in Chicago with Grandma on Sunday. I loved that brunch. I loved being there with the family. And I love the example that set for family first.

Those are the top 5 that come to mind.

Visiting Watertown

Church in the morning and then a quick drive up north for dinner and a birthday.  Doesn't get much better than a wisconsin party.
Its greal living close enough that we can run up and join an activity without much hazzle. A late posting of pictures from the most recent three-year old party.

A Feast befitting a 3-yr old

Eden the dancer

Eden and June

June

Two Cuties

Saturday Night

General Priesthood meeting on Saturday night is meant to be spent with your sons. I miss attending with my dad; and the few times I have attended one by myself I have felt lonely indeed. So it was easy to respond to Blair's invitation to drive up to Watertown and attend General Priesthood with him at the Lake Mills Chapel.

We stayed the night and enjoyed spending Sunday morning with Julie, Blair and the gang.

Eden - just happy

Blair & June

June - jumping and playing

Favorite Photo for today

We haven't seen Baby June for a couple of weeks and must admit my heart melted when I saw this photo on Instagram. So much so that I was compelled to share.

Looks who is growing

We ran up to Watertown Saturday afternoon to sit and chat, share a meal, and play a game.
I wasn't in a big picture taking mode but had to take at least one of June B.

A Day in September

Mom and Blair sharing a few hours together


Oh - I desperately hurt my thumb

inside driving

what should go in a storage bucket ... my sister, a few toys, and me

its ok to tip the dad - june is straight on - growing up fast at 5 weeks old

cruisin'