Dear Mother...
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Which of you eight children wrote this poem? And when was it written? I know who wrote it, and I'm pretty sure I know when it was written too, but...let's see what you think. These are the little things that keep moms going when they just want to QUIT!
Dear Mother,
Oh, Mother dear,
We do confess,
What would we do without you or less?
At times when you are scary,
And we think you might be angry,
You turn around and surprise us all,
Look, you are merry!
I love you Mom and I'm glad you love us. I hope you will never leave us. You always seem to be ready when we need you, your hand is always open. Tell us Mother, if there is anything in the world we can do to repay you for all the love and happiness you give to us.
From,
X
posted by Carolee at 12:50 PM
|
Staying Connected
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Dad and I had a busy week...a few days in Salt Lake trying to get people to WORK so we can move, a wedding in Rockford, Illinois, and a day in Denver with Joe and family, Aaron and Alice, Kathy and the Broncos. We ate a little humble pie in Denver, but...it was fun! I'm sunburned and can barely speak from all the vocal support I gave the Broncos, but...it really was fun.
Thought you might like to hear about the Copens in Rockford and the fun two days we had with them. Everyone from Dallas's first family was there...his wife Judy, their three children Debbie, Mark and Scott, and all of their children AND grandchildren! Yes...Scott is a grandfather...twice! I'm still getting used to that idea (I think Scott is 40). We had such a great time with all of them. We met great nieces and nephews we have only heard about, as well as two great-great nieces (just one and two years old). We arrived in Rockford (a very nice city in northern Illinois) on Thursday night. Most of the family arrived on Friday, along with a very heavy snowstorm, which continued through the night. We went to a fun rehearsal dinner, slipping and sliding all the way, and met many more people. Saturday dawned bright and clear...thank goodness. The wedding was in an old and very beautiful Methodist church and the ceremony was short, and very moving. I started crying as soon as we entered the sanctuary and didn't stop until the ceremony was over. I so wished my brother could have been there to see his beautiful family and celebrate with them. I especially liked it when the minister asked those in the congregation if they would do everything they could to support this young couple and help them to have a successful marriage. How great is that...how important! We stayed at the church to be in the family photos, then went to a nearby women's club for a wedding reception and dinner.
I can't tell you how amazing it was to see how that little family of three children has grown into a very large group of loving family members. They are all such good, happy people who truly love each other. They said, over and over, how grateful they were that we had come to the wedding and we were never alone for a moment...someone was always coming over to visit and get to know us better. We enjoyed it so much. I would surely love to get all the Copens together...I'm not sure how or where we could do that but...I'm going to ponder it and talk to people. We need to reach out to the Stout cousins, as well. Christina loved being part of such a big family at the family reunion. She really has no extended family, other than ours. We need to stay in touch with her, and with her sister Jessica.
There was a great deal of interest in Family History and that will definitely be my first priority, once we are settled in Salt Lake. I am entering all the family histories we have into the computer, and should finish that before the end of summer. I'll be able to send each family a paper copy and a CD so you can continue to share it with your children. We have some pretty impressive ancestors who certainly make me want to do more and BE more. It would be so great if YOU could each start a personal history which we can add to that collection at some point in time. You are such gifted writers...what wonderful histories you can "gift" those who will follow.
It is going to be a major challenge to keep up with these ever-growing branches of our family tree. I now feel like I have a real mission to perform (with a lot of help from Chris and Nate and their computer talents). I can't wait to get everything organized so our ever-expanding family can stay connected.
posted by Carolee at 5:22 PM
|
Christmas Cards from the Rich and Famous
Monday, January 09, 2006
 Early in December a card arrived addressed to me (simple, humble, chubby little me) from The White House! The Republicans want money, I thought, and I ripped the envelope open and...well what do you know, it's a Christmas card from George and Laura. Yes, the official White House Christmas card I had just seen our first lady show on TV had been mailed to me, signatures and all. Kathy happened to be at the house at the time and we were both very impressed. So why did George and Laura send Carolee a Christmas card? Because I was a loyal Bush supporter and made a few phone calls during the last election, I assume. Anyway...I felt rather special.
Yesterday, we arrived home from Utah to a huge pile of cards and Dad was going through them and putting them in another pile for me to look at. "Well, look at this...a card from King Abdullah and his wife, Rania" he said, casually. "King Abdullah of Jordan?" I queried, incredulously. Sure enough, your father had received a card, a very nice card, from the King of Jordan. I told him he was probably on the terrorist watch list now, feeling a little envious that his card was larger and much nicer than mine. Dad met King Abdullah in the spring of 2005 at a CEO/CIO conference in North Carolina and thus made it on his mailing list, I guess.
So...is a large, heavy, luxurious card from the King of Jordan (complete with a family photo and signatures) more impressive than a slightly more humble card from the leader of the only super power in the world (complete with signatures)? You be the judge.
I realize that thousands upon thousands of people received these cards, but...I think it is pretty fun that we were on the list of some rather impressive people this Christmas. Next time you're out to visit, I'll show them to you. Remind me.
posted by Carolee at 8:44 PM
|
|
Archives
