Mom

It seems like it’s been a long time, almost forever. But then when one really thinks about it the whole affair has flashed by so incredibly fast. You had I have seen a lot happen and we sure missed out on a few things too. It seems as though when ever there was work to be done you were never too far. When fun and happiness were the order of the day you also were there. However, when I look back on it you were, in every case, the one making the greatest contribution to everyone else’s happiness and comfort.

Isn’t it remarkable the changes you and I have witnessed in our short span together. Remember what kind of world we lived in that day in November 1936 when you (and I) sat helpless in an old blue car, jammed in a burning hay slide with your world all on fire. Since then World War 2 and it’s uncertainties like no sugar for candy, no metal for Tory, and no Japanese oranges for Christmas.

Remember the horses, Old Spades, Captain, Old Buck, the Shetland pony, Pinkey, Cope, Shannon, Dusty, Daphne, Slim, Old Gus and of course Clipper the stake race horse. Remember the Clydesdales Pat, Shorty, Dick, Walley, Ben, and many more. Flora and Andy were exceptions as percherons while nobody ever knew what Old Toots was.

My memories with you are bright summer days, bumble bees and flowers, grass too long for the mower, toys – wagons – dolls – wire – you name it hidden in the yard for Dad’s July 1st mowing exercise. Remember looking all over for turkey eggs, looking for turkeys, setting hens, coyotes, and hailstorms. You were the best pie maker this country will ever have. I don’t know how you did all the things there were to do in those days. I do know we never missed a meal, all 15 of us. Our laundry was always done on time and you also found time to be a loving, comfy mother to all including the hired help.

You were quite a bronc buster in your day. Remember Chick! A horse few would ride. Moccasin telegraph told of trouble at Little Jumping Pound School and Chick, being the only horse isn’t eh barn because nobody could ride him, found himself going lickety split down the bank and across the creek headed west towards the school whether he liked it or not.

You have never stopped in your efforts to us all Mom. When one looks at the changes in 80 years, nothing has changed under the sun. Wars, floods, fast horses or fast cars, apple pie, picking berries. Moms and kids will never change because if they do all will be lost.

Thanks Mom for all the years. We wish you a well deserved happy birthday. 80 years, another 80 years and all will be the same under the sun thanks to moms like you.

Love you much,

Marshall.