Cooper graduated from pre school this week

 

May 28, 2023

Dear family:

Happy birthday to Haley Dougall today!  Happy birthday to India on Tuesday, and Riley next Sunday!

Last week Maggie Barlow graduated from High School!!!!  The reason I mention this is because she was 7-8 when I started teaching her sewing lessons and piano lessons.  The Barlow’s moved to Colorado about 5 years ago and time has flown by.  Time doesn’t stop or wait for anyone and I feel that intensely. 

Mike and Amy are back home from their trip back east to see Jackson graduate from law school.  I have had an intense week with 4 contractors giving me bids to treat the problems in my crawlspace.  Finally I found the contractor that I believe and I hired him.  (I will admit to being scared to death by the first 3 contractors.)

Last Wednesday on the 24^th I went to my first/and oldest great grandchild’s preschool graduation.  Cooper was awesome and I loved watching him. 

I also got to hold his little brother Enzo. 

Those 3 little boys are amazing!  It totally seems like yesterday that Taylor and his siblings were that little. 

I thought a lot this week about Cooper and my great grandchildren, and Taylor and my other grandchildren and about my children.  It seemed to me like this time in my life wouldn’t come.  I loved raising my children.  It never occurred to me at the time that my children would become grandparents.  Empty nesting came early to me because I had my children pretty early.  Regarding empty nesters:

·        To raise a child, who is comfortable enough to leave you, means you’ve done your job. They are not ours to keep, but to teach how to soar on their own.” -unknown

·        “A wise parent humors the desire for independent actions, so as to become the friend and adviser when his absolute rule shall cease.”  -Elizabeth Gaskell

·        “Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back, reasons to stay.”-Dalai Lama

·        “A mother’s job is to teach her children not to need her anymore. The hardest part of that job is accepting success.”

 

“Our Father in Heaven, our Divine Parent, surely rejoices when His children are taught and nurtured by their parents on earth.”……….   “Every moment is a teaching moment.  Every word and action can be a guide for making choices.”  (Elder Dieter F Uchtdorf, General Conference 2023)

 

I have lots of time now to ponder on whether as a mother –was I good enough?  I will also tell you that I truly believe that our Heavenly Father answers prayers.  Without it I would have been lost.  Lately, I’ve had my prayers answered.  A couple weeks ago – I was having attitude troubles.  I sincerely prayed for help and the next morning – I was back to normal. 

Something similar happened this last week.  While Brad was here visiting Kelsy and Taylor, he stayed in the evenings with me.  As long as he was here (while the 3 contractors scared me to death) I felt I could handle it.  As soon as he was gone, I was overwhelmed.  I prayed sincerely again – I was tearful, desperate and ready to give up.  Then Amy called.  Her call was an another answer.  She told me to breath and that it would be ok.  Thank you Amy!

 

Every one of us whether young or old, will have tough things to handle.  I am so thankful for Brian, Brad and Amy.  You give me strength.  I am so thankful for prayer, inspiration and answers to prayers. 

 

I worry about Riley and her family in Nevada – away from me.  I worry about Michael and family in Texas away from me.  I worry about Kenlee and family in Texas away from me.  I even worry about Hayden in Utah away from me.  I even worry about my grandchildren that live around here.  I worry about Danny and family in Abuja, Nigeria – away from me.  I worry about Brian & family in Utah, and Brad and family in Spokane & those of my family around here.

 

There is nothing I can do physically or personally to help.  All I can do is send you my love in my weekly letters and pray and ask Heavenly Father to watch out for you.

 

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