I have been thinking alot about how so many of the big influences in my life are gone now. The people I grew up loving. The above picture is me with my Dad on the right(your right), and my uncle Ralph on the left(your left). These two were quite the characters. Silly until their end days. My uncle Ralph was a legend storyteller. I think I heard most of his stories 1000 times, but I loved every second of him telling me them. They are forever embedded in my heart. He also taught me some of my limited Norwegian! I loved him to my very core, as I think anyone who knew him did. A heart of pure gold! He had no kids but yet had 50 of them. All his neice and nephews adored him! It has been 3 years I believe since he has been gone and I miss him to this day!
My Dad, Tamer, was a quiet, dry sense of humour guy. He loved to have fun though! One of my fondest memories of him is how when we were sitting around the table at suppertime and I would say *Pass the Peas* or something...he would start rhyming. So that became the big thing, was to rhym as many times as you could! So silly, but dear to my heart now. At my Dad's funeral my uncle said that Dad used to go to the barn to pray for his kids. I guess this was his alone, quiet time. I never ever knew that. I can only imagine how many times he prayed for me. I am so blessed to have had such a caring God fearing father. I miss him so much still.
Another one of those special people was my aunt Thelma. ANYONE who knew her loved her. She had a special gift of hospitality, much like my own Mom. I always felt extremely special in her eyes. I think she made everyone feel that way. It is 2 Years this month since she has been gone. She was such an inspiration in her last days. She could not wait to go home to be with God! She wanted everyone to be happy for her! I remember standing by her bedside and starting to cry....she shook her finger at me and said not to be sad for her because she KNEW where she was going. She was one in a million.
My Mom and her were the bestest of friends! Mom has never been the same since Thelma passed on. I think her lonliness for her is just SO deep. She is really aging, but manages very well! She is 82 now. The thing she enjoys the most is having her family around her, and especially the 2 little babies! Many times I miss the *olden days* where all my loved ones were here and well. But how can I be sad when they are at home in heaven, probably having coffee with their dear friends and family......and maybe even some Kompa!!! (we can only wish) haha.
Just a little trip down memory lane! Thanks for reading! *huggs*
Heidi
9 comments:
Heidi, I can hardly see the screen!! The tears are coming and coming. How well, I remember too these precious, dear ones that have gone on to Heaven and Home and the legacy that they have left us here. How we miss them! But we wouldn't wish them back. It gives me a longing for the "olden days" too and having coffee with your mom and dad, walking by track on a Sunday afternoon to spend some time with your family, seeing a twinkle in your dad's eyes when he was about to say something funny, and I definately remember Ralph and his ability to tell "ghost stories". When our time here on earth is done, isn't it just amazing to think that we too will have a place with them and our Friend Jesus in Heaven. Thanks Heidi for your post. It was wonderful.
I cannot leave your blog until I say something about Thelma and your mom. What a pair, always together - such loving special people in my life - definately role models and mentors when I was growing up. I absolutely loved coming to their homes and still love it when we come to Birch Hills and see your mom, drop in and have a cup of coffee. Sweet, sweet memories!! I am hoping that I can come for Aunty Myrtle's birthday party in June and reconnect with them all there.
Hi Heidi...great to see these pictures and read your words...wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing.
Denorie
What a great post Heidi! Thanks for sharing. I am so glad that I got to know Thelma a little. I always enjoyed her smile and her sense of humor (even when she wasn't necessarily trying to be funny)! I'm glad that I still get to hear lots of stories about her.
Your mom is a gem! She is always so sweet and so friendly when I see her!
Take care,
Miriam
oh so sweet....
I miss them too
Good to be reminded of them, see the pics and be glad for the memories.
I too have sooooo many memories of being up at your place of course!
Walking down to the tracks, riding the bus, walking up to your place, or riding bikes, or mini-bike too!
The adults sitting around visiting like we do now.
Good stuff.....
Barb
Oh, Heidi! I just thought I'd check to see if you had any new posts. I didn't expect to be bawling like a baby! I to miss the good old days, camping and NewYears when we all would get together. I remember how I would sit with Uncle Ralph and he would scratch my back for what seemed like forever! I don't even know where to begin with Grandma, I think she defined unconditional love. It makes it so real (that they are gone) to see pictures and remember the good old days. Like Dylann says they are probebly sitting around singing with Johnny Cash!
Just got off the phone with Mom to tell her to read it, we cried together. She said she had to dry her neck off!
Oh Heidi, what a great blog. Carmen just phoned to tell me I had to read your blog, I started out reading aloud and so could not read out loud, Carmen said she knew when I started to cry because it became quiet. How lucky we are for the good memories we have of loved ones. Many times I have thought of the things Glen has been missing (Kades birth etc.) but have to remind myself that he is sitting at the feet of Jesus and that I couldn't wish him back here on earth. Your dad, my dad and Ralph were quite the three musketeers way back when. What awesome times we had camping together and of course every Christmas, what good good times we've had together as families. Our Mom's, how lucky can anyone be to have mom's like us, special ladies. Thanks Heidi for the trip down memory lane, I'm very snuffed up now and need a kleenx.
Love you lots, Wanda
Heidi, I just loved reading your blog and seeing the pictures of people I knew and loved too.
Thanks for posting!
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