May 1, 2020
Day 7: To My Mother-in-law with Love
As I type this blog today it is the eve of my mother- in -laws Birthday. Anyone who new her especially her grand kids and great grand kids adored her and admired her immensely. She was one “classy” lady. She was very particular about everything from the food she cooked, to the cloths and shoes she wore.
Its not everyone that can live back the same lane with your in-laws and get along. Because my mother-in-law lived next to her parents in town there were lessons she learned to do and not to do. Mom was never one to pry in our affairs. If she became concerned she may mention it, but for the most part she left us work out our troubles as newlyweds and young parents. But if it really rubbed her the wrong way she just might tell you!
Living that close, I learned many life lessons from her. Oh did I mention she was an excellent “Pepper” bid euchre player? I learned early on in our dating, this was a game I needed to learn in order to survive in the family! It was her and dads main activity with friends and neighbors from church. They would come once or twice a week promptly at 7:30 and play till 10 or later. Men against the women. Depending how they were doing depended on how late they played!
when we found out mom was battling Cancer, we as family did our best to make life memorable by spending as much time as possible with her. My husband and I living so close popped in to check on her, spent time talking, occasionally we gathered and played cards with grand kids, my husbands 2 sisters, and friends. It got to where we played cards most nights that last year. Grand kids would make special trips home from college and further places to spend time with their very loved grandma.
She knew how to spoil her kids and grand kids! She made pie! Apple, blueberry, pumpkin, rhubarb and peach. And we always had to have Blue Bunny yogurt on top! She also spoiled us with her homemade cookies.
I guess one of the things I miss most about mom was her friendship. Our relationship grew the more I spent time with her. there were days she hated how her body was doing. She would complain now and then, I would listen, she would listen to me rant about my ills. We would cry, and laugh. We encouraged and leaned on each other. I would never change those days for anything. They were priceless.
Dearest mother, I am not the cook you were. I don't keep a house quite like you but being with you I have learned to laugh and live and make time for others. Happy Birthday! We love you!