Letters to Norene

brushing my Mom's hair 

sweethearts for over fifty years

Dear Grandma Norene,

I've been thinking a lot about you lately, and missing you. I'm so lucky to have spent 22 years of my life getting to learn from you. What an amazing, kind and giving woman.

Lucky for me, you raised a daughter to be just like you. And I've had an amazing role model for a mother as well. It's fun when Mom says something, or does something, that reminds me of you. You often hear people say "oh no, I'm turning into my mother!" but I think in our case, we are so blessed.

One thing I learned from watching you, is that you treated everyone with love and respect. It didn't matter their background, status, or where they came from. You greeted everyone with loving, and open arms. I've tried to remind myself lately that this is the way people should be treated. And remember to handle difficult situations with grace, and offer the same genuine kindness to everyone I meet. It's not always easy, but I know it is the best way. I don't know how you raised seven kids (five boys) and stayed such a sweet and gentle lady!

I am so thankful that I was able to go on the RV trip with you and Grandpa up to Washington. Those are some of the best memories, especially climbing up on the roof of the RV to watch the sunset. I wish I could find those pictures. We had so many wonderful camping trips over the years for family reunion. We're so lucky you planned that time for everyone to be together. Playing games, swimming, eating "Mexican garbage" and ebelskivers. Luckily, Grant is a pro at making both Mexican garbage and ebelskivers, so we get together and reminisce sometimes.

You were always such a sport about playing games with us, we teased you to no end about making up rules and cheating. But you loved having everyone together around the table to play games. And we still love a good game of chicken foot dominos in your honor. 

You are greatly missed. I often think about one of the last things you said to me. That I should be a nurse. Sometimes I wonder about it, and think of going back to school. It meant a lot to me, under the circumstances, when you said that to me. I am happy that I could help, even just a tiny bit, to care for you.

I will continue to smile, and think of you when I arrange a vase of fresh cut flowers, play a game, read children's books, or see something about Elvis on television. We have Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and I can't wait to put on a show for Phillip this Christmas. Of the so many wonderful things you taught us, most importantly was that family comes first. Thank you for being such an amazing, strong role model. Not only for me, but our entire family. I know each and every one of your grandchildren misses you and thinks of you often.

I love you,

Theresa

at the Dutch Flat pool

** I'm sure if anyone in my family read this, they would be confused about the Elvis comment. But I have a very vivid memory of watching an Elvis documentary/biography on TV late one night when staying at Grandma's. I don't know if I remember it because it was interesting, or because she let me stay up past midnight to watch it with her. 

xoxo,

Theresa

A Letter to My Lovely Readers

 Day 28, A letter to your readers.

Dearest Readers,

I can’t begin to express my appreciation for you. It seems crazy that I’ve only been blogging for a few months, and I’ve already started building relationships with some of you. I wanted to thank you for being patient with me, as I learn more about the technical side of blogging and find my voice as a writer.

Everyday I look forward to sitting down and reading other blogs, and now that I have my own, it’s even more meaningful since I’m a part of that community I always admired. Thank you so much for all of the sweet comments and emails. I LOVE hearing from you. I still can’t believe it when I see your names in my inbox, and I get a little start struck to receive comments and tweets from the bloggers I follow and love so much. All of you mean so much to me, and I am so appreciative of each and every one of you and the support you've given me during the first few months of my blogging journey. 

I’m still surprised that it’s not only my family members reading my blog everyday. And I want you all to know just how much it means to me to know that you continue stop by my little corner of the blog world. I feel like I’ve really found a niche for myself and I am so thankful you’ve all been so welcoming to me.

With love,

Theresa

Letters to Martha

Stanford University School of Nursing

Gram,

How has it already been 6 years since you left us? I think about you so often. I know I was blessed to have 22 years to share with you, but it still didn't seem like long enough. There are many times I wish I could pick up the phone to share something with you. Every time I order nachos, I think how fun it would be to bring you some for us to share. And when I see red geraniums, I think of how beautiful your flowers always were. I love how random little things remind me of you, kind of like a surprise visit.

There are still so many things I'd like to talk to you about. I think you still had a lot to teach me. I always wanted to sit down and interview you. To hear about your life and everything you went through in those 97 years. I wish I would have taken the time to do that, it would have been such a treasure to have now. Instead I'll remember all of the things you did teach me.

Now that I am living in San Francisco, I like to think about you walking around the city all those years ago. I imagine it was quite different in some ways, but the same in others. I got a pair of nice leather gloves for Christmas, Mom said you would have loved that, because every lady should have a pair when they go to the city. I also have your old chair in my apartment, it makes me so happy every time I look at it. Don't worry, I sit in it properly now, most of the time anyway. The other night, I took out your old milk glass, I think I am going to put some shelves in the kitchen where I can display them. I like having these little reminders of you around the house.

Today they elected the new Pope. When I heard there was white smoke, I thought of you immediately. We watched the news in our office, and I know you would have had the TV on, watching every minute. Cardinal Jorge Mario Begoglio of Argentina was elected, he has chosen the name Pope Francis I.

It's an exciting time for our family, Christine is due to have her baby any minute now. We've been calling the baby "Tuff" since we don't know yet if it's a boy or girl, I'm not sure if you would have liked that since I know how you felt about nicknames. But you would love the names they have chosen, for once the baby arrives. I know you'd feel so proud to see a new generation added to your family. You were definitely the matriarch, and your legacy continues.

I miss you and love you.

Theresa

Gram and her twin sister, Mary in 1913 (or 1914?)

Martha Crane O'Brien Sehorn

xoxo,

Theresa