Serving and Sunbonnet Girls

 

March 26, 2023

Dear Family:

Happy Birthday to Charlie (my nephew) tomorrow. Kelsy, McKay and Cooper have been in Gilbert Arizona last week and Taylor joined them this weekend.  I have seen Kelsy operate at the airport with the two boys and I was shocked and amazed.  How will she operate at the airport with 3 little ones.  I think I will have to hire on as the official traveling great grandmother.

Speaking of Great Grandmother, I have to tell you of the highlight of my week.  Kelsy sent me two 2 second videos of McKay and Cooper sending me a message.  (See email attachments - they wouldn't load into the blog.

I have watched them many many times this week and shared them with anyone who asked me how I was.  “I’m great – watch!!!”  I’m keeping those precious videos forever.

Kenlee has promised to connect with me sometime in 2023 because I haven’t met Addie or Jude (little Jake) yet.  I am really excited and looking forward to it. 

As a follow-up to last week regarding Mike and Amy serving his dad, Rollie and Rollie’s wife Jane; Mike worked all day yesterday moving them into their new home in Damascus.  Today they have been at work all day sorting Rollie’s garage.  (Huge undertaking if you ask me). 

President Hinckley said, “Generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are those who are obsessed with themselves; the happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others.  By and Large, I have come to see that if we complain about life, it is because we are thinking only of ourselves.” 

Every time I talk to Mike and Amy they have just helped his mom and Jim or Rollie and Jane.  Admirable!

This morning Amy sent me a photo of a keepsake in Rollie’s steamer trunk.  It was an embroidery hoop with a mini quilt attached of a Sunbonnet Girl.  Amy knows me really well. She know that I love Sunbonnet Girls.  Judy and I treasured a much worn out Sunbonnet Girl Quilt that our Grandmother Myrtle Campbell Short made for us a little girls. (I still have it and it looks like rags)  Judy or I had that on our bed all the years that we were growing up.  I made Sunbonnet Girl Quilts for Riley, Kenlee, and Marissa… and a Barnyard Ben (male version of Sunbonnet Girl) quilt for Conner when he was born.  Then when I moved to Arizona to do something for myself instead of 24 hours a day music, I made my first attempt at a grownup Sunbonnet Girl Quilt.  Hayley and Tanner have that one.  I learned a lot making it.  Then I decided to make another one that I believe Marissa has this one. 

Then I saw one that Judy made and decided I could do better.  So I made another one yet.  Brian and Megan have that one.  Then I made baby boy quilt for Cooper with a Barnyard Ben, and I made one for Cole and one for Jude. I made a girl Sunbonnet quilt for India.  I have a little baby girl - Sunbonnet Girl quilt all made and sitting in a drawer in my office/sewing room/guest room – just waiting for a girl.  I helped Kenlee make a quilt for Addie that wasn’t Sunbonnet girl…….And Amy and I made a “Bunny” quilt for Claire.

So as you can tell, I have made a lot of quilts and I keep thinking I’m burned out – but then I start thinking about all the fabric that Judy left for me and I get inspired.  I’m in the middle of another one – a duplicate of the one I gave Haley Schnell Lewis.  I’ve received wonderful input from all the ladies in my life and I’m ready to put the border on; a different color border than Haley’s.  

this is the "Trail Mix" pattern quilt top all finished, except for the border.
I was stymied trying to decide on the border

The bottom 3 prints will be the border.  

Thanks girls.

Being involved in the church all the years that I have, I can look back and see that when I was helping someone it made me happy; I had all kinds of callings, did all kinds of things for others that I had no idea I could do, helped people and in the process helped myself.  The best part of my life was when I was raising Brad, Brian and Amy.  Serving my family was my greatest calling and accomplishment.  Thank you kids! Now I see you doing the same things – serving in your callings, but most of all serving your families.  You are great people.  You are setting a great example.  Not everyone can understand the joy that serving others creates.  We are a fortunate bunch.

Have a wonderful week.  I am looking forward to General Conference next weekend. AND piano lessons this week because it is spring vacation here in the area.

Love Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Sister and Aunt Suzanne

Serving others

 

March 19, 2023

Dear Family:

The last few weeks I’ve been impressed by something Mike and Amy are doing.  Today they came to visit for a few minutes and I was reminded of why they inspired me.  They have been working hard to assess Mike’s Dad and Jane and their ability to stay in their own home.  They have spent hours visiting, worrying, helping, buying groceries, going to pick up Rollie when he was left at the grocery store by Jane who forgot why she was there, and just in general…..they are try to help them so that they can have a better quality of life.

Next weekend their weekend is dedicated to moving Rollie and Jane into an assisted living adult foster home in Damascus.  The reason that I’m impressed is that they are SERVING Mike’s dad and Jane.  Mike and his siblings have spent lots of time helping (serving) their Dad (Rollie and his wife Jane) and their Mom (Carrie and her husband, Jim).  Their parents are getting on in years, their health is failing, and their ability to be self-sufficient is limited.

It reminds me of the scripture, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matt. 25:37–40.)”  And it reminds me of the reverse – many years ago Rollie and Carrie were serving their children (Mike and his siblings). They spent years serving their children.  I’ve mentioned to Mike several times that his parents did a good job raising him (because of something that I noticed that Mike does.)  It also reminds me of how much Brad & Sheri; Brian & Megan; and Mike & Amy have done and are doing for their children.  I remember when my grandchildren were born and when they were young all the work, worry, effort, sacrifice and chauffeuring you parents did.  You spent years with diapers, baths, brushing teeth, constantly buying new shoes and clothes, going to the doctor, laundry, folding clothes, homework help, sports equipment purchases and years of going to all the games and dance competitions, etc.   Now I see Taylor & Kelsy, Kenlee & Jake, Riley & Corbin, Michael & Laura, Tanner and Haley serving their little ones.  Learning service is natural for parents, it is also a valuable trait that children learn as little ones while mimicking their parents, while doing their chores and while helping each other.  This trait of knowing how to serve and wanting to serve transfers into everyday life.  It’s valuable in friend relationships, in family relationships, in career relationships and in their spiritual life.  Serving brings joy.

Dale G Renlund, “To effectively serve others we must see them through a parent’s eyes, through Heavenly Father’s Eyes.”

I believe that 100%.  It’s a heavenly trait.  You all have it!! I’m proud of each of you.  Parenting and serving have come to you naturally and because of the example of your parents.

I am a visiting teacher (new term is ministering sister), to two elderly ladies.  One I’ve been able to help quite a lot.  Her name is Norma.  I love her.  Part of that is that it brings me joy and a feeling of self worth to help her.  She has family around also and she has a son living with her who is in “end stage” hospice – emphysema.  I have another sister name Sandy.  She doesn’t know whether she is “afoot or horseback.”  Her memory is gone and she needs to be in assisted living.  One daughter who lives in Montana will talk to her.  One daughter who lives in Aloha won’t have anything to do with her.  My heart breaks for her.  The elder’s quorum president and I are in close contact about her.   I worry about Sandy and if something isn’t done soon, I’ll call social services and see what can be done.   Thank goodness the church has contact with some of these people who are in such need.  My taking a few peanut butter cookies didn’t do much, but hopefully the Elder’s Quorum president and I can save her life.  It’s bad.

The reason I tell you this is so that you can totally appreciate what Mike and Amy are doing for his parents.  I applaud them. 

I’m grateful that I learned about work, integrity and service from my parents.  They weren’t perfect.  I’m not perfect.  But I was raised in the church learning all along the way that serving others not only helps the “others” but it helps me by bringing me joy.

I may have told you this before, but when my children were really little.  Amy was a baby.  I had a girlfriend, named Kristine Saunders hat I worked with in Primary.  We became dear friends.  One day she brought me a beautiful “Orange Cake”.  She baked it and brought it to me, to help her feel better.  She had been diagnosed that day with muscular dystrophy.  I’ll never forget that incident.  She served me to make herself feel better.  How profound!

I want to take this opportunity to tell each of you that I know how much effort it takes to serve your family members, your little ones, your spouses, your friends, etc.  How wonderful are the rewards!

Have a great day and week

Love Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma, Sister and Aunt Suzanne

Grandmothers

 

March 12, 2023

Dear Family: 

Happy Birthday Mike!  Amy and Mike are away for a birthday weekend.  Last weekend we had fast Sunday dinner here and I’ve been thinking about grandma and grandpas all week.

I never met my great grandparents and I don’t remember my paternal grandfather.  My great grandparents died before I was born and my paternal grandfather died on Thanksgiving when I was about 4 or 5.  I remember sitting on the couch at their home looking at a Boston fern in the front window all day.

I’m so glad that I’ve had the opportunity to bond with my great grandsons – Cooper and McKay.  As soon as Claire gets old enough to not be frightened of me, we will bond too. 

We are watching a video I took of them in the fort while I was asking "What are you doing in there?" and they are answering "Nothing." We were laughing so hard it was silly.

So this opportunity to be together with my great grandchildren has turned my thoughts to my grandmothers. 

My grandmother Myrtle Short scared me. 

She wasn’t a warm and fuzzy nurturing type.  She gave birth 7  times; 3 boys (my dad was the youngest boy) , 3 girls (Aunt Margaret was the youngest girl) and twins Cleo and Leo died shortly after birth.  Her oldest daughter died of heart disease shortly after giving birth to her son Jay.  Myrtle was a farmer’s wife; she worked hard, had few luxuries, canned food, grew chicken for meat and eggs, and grew fruit and vegetables.  She used a wringer washer and dried her clothes on a clothes line outside.  He husband Ira was a bishop in the Heyburn ward for over 20 years (during this time he served a 6 month mission to Coos Bay area.)  He became ill and suffered for several years before he passed away.  She died the weekend that Brian had surgery on his pyloric valve when he was just a few weeks old.  

My grandmother Mary Bankhead Glenn Green Leishman was my idol. 

Age 80

Mary came for Christmas at our house in 27th St, in the 80's?

She loved to see her little granddaughters burst out of the car and come stay with her and her 2^nd husband Andrew.  She doted on us and made us feel like we were the most important people in her life.  Her high school graduation photo looks enough like my niece Janna (Glennda’s daughter) to be scary.  She had a hard life too.  She married a veteran of WW I, Charles Harvey Green, and before my mom was born, he left.  He was sick and spent the next few years in a veteran’s hospital in California.  She was divorced and it was 1923, in small town Wellsville Utah.  So she went to work for Andrew Leishman whose wife had died giving birth to 12^th or 13^th child.  She cleaned, cooked, did laundry for a huge family – a few of which were already married and gone.  They later married and her 1^st child, my mom,  was raised by Mary’s parents a few blocks away.  Andrew was a farmer and raised milk cows, chickens, used work horses to plow, harrow, rake hay.  She made several loaves of bread every day, and worked from sun up to sun down.  They had 3 more daughters.  (Aunt Estella, Rita and Erma).  Those 3 girls worked hard on the farm too.  I have heard stories about how hard Andrew was on my grandma but I can only imagine.  She wasn’t skinny.  She was plump, warm hearted, delightful and had a fun sense of humor.  We 3 girls totally adored her and wanted to be just like her.  She told us of a Halloween when she and her sister in law dressed up like Indians and went to sit at the local bar.  The bar tender and patrons didn’t catch on for hours.  I could go on for hours about my memories of her and how much I love her and treasure those memories. It is because of her that I’ve spent my lifetime learning the domestic arts; crocheting, knitting, embroidery, and quilting.  I even made rag rugs because she had two in her living room.  I even have one of them. The cabinet next to my piano was hers.  I have “Desert Rose” dishes because she did and they remind me of her.

Andrew Leishman and Mary Bankhead Glenn (Green) Leishman

Now in my 70’s my great pleasure has been watching my children become grandparents.  To be frankly honest, my children were cheated in the “grandparents” department.  Both sets had a child one year older than Brad.  They weren’t interested in being grandparents.  So when Brad saw Aunt Margaret’s example in Roseville California, he said, “Mom I want you to be a grandma just like Aunt Margaret.”  She made them feel totally loved, welcomed and treasured.  She put on the grand celebration for them, food, fun, talking and genuine love. Brad went with me to her funeral.

Watching my children be grandparents is probably one of the choicest experiences of my life.  GOOD JOB! BRAD, BRIAN AND AMY!!!.  Thank you for making me a great-grandma.  (Amy is the latest to become a grandparent and watch out world!!) I just watch and smile.  One of my sorrows is that Judy’s grandchildren won’t remember her or get the benefit of all the love she could shower on them. 

Quotes about Grandmothers:  (Enjoy these – they made me smile)

Grandmotherhood initiated me into a world of play, where all things became fresh, alive, and honest again through my grandchildren’s eyes. Mostly, it retaught me love.” —Sue Monk Kidd

“Every house needs a grandmother in it.” —Louisa May Alcott

“A grandmother is a little bit parent, a little bit teacher, and a little bit best friend.” —Unknown

“If nothing is going well, call your grandmother.” —Italian Proverb

“There’s no place like home—except grandma’s house.” —Unknown

“When a child is born, so are grandmothers.” —Judith Levy

 “It’s such a grand thing to be a mother of a mother—that’s why the world calls her grandmother.” —Unknown

“Having a grandmother is like having an army. This is a grandchild’s ultimate privilege: knowing that someone is on your side, always, whatever the details. Even when you are wrong. Especially then, in fact. A grandmother is both a sword and a shield.” —Fredrik Backman

“Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while…but our hearts forever.” —Unknown

 “As I learned from growing up, you don’t mess with your grandmother.” —Prince William

“If becoming a grandmother was only a matter of choice, I should advise every one of you straight away to become one. There is no fun for old people like it!” —Hannah Whitall Smith

 “The best babysitters, of course, are the baby’s grandparents. You feel completely comfortable entrusting your baby to them for long periods, which is why most grandparents flee to Florida.” —Dave Barry

 “You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother.” —Proverb

 “A grandmother is a babysitter who watches the kids instead of the television.” —Unknown

“Grandmas don’t just say ‘that’s nice’—they reel back and roll their eyes and throw up their hands and smile. You get your money’s worth out of grandmas.” —Unknown

 

News:  Haley Schnell Lewis seems to be enjoying life with her new knees!  Keep it up girl.  Kelsy is a year older and expecting another boy in May.  Cole is climbing stairs and loves spaghetti.  Emery and Addie have been making mud pies.  Cooper and McKay like to play “forts” at my house, and they love the Fisher Price airport and school house that belonged to their grandpa. 

 

I spent 5 days last week calling 50 Retirement homes, sending them a “Reduced Price Special” and booking 9 new gigs for the two big bands.  What a week.  I was either sending emails, making “Now Appearing” posters, sending invoices or answering phone calls all week other than when I was teaching piano.  I’m glad last week is over!.

I hope you enjoy thinking about grandmas and grandpas today.  I’m grateful for my grandchildren and my great grandchildren.  It makes my life have meaning and purpose.  If you get a chance, look at the photos and memories on familysearch.com.  It’s full.

 

Love Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Sister and Aunt Suzanne