Reflecting on all the great women I got very close to in my life and I have lost.....Phyllis, Mary (Ma), Ernestine, Mary, Virginia, Ma, Mom, Kaye, my Aunt Lorraine, Aunt Millie, Aunt Clarice and Aunt Marcella. They all mentored me in ways you can't imagine.
1. The first lady in this picture is Phyllis Rayment. This woman meant more to me than life. She was our neighbor, care taker, hairdresser and I grew up with her as my other mom! She taught me we better tell the truth, to laugh a lot, to love others. be kind, if you want to get on someones good side... brush their hair often!!!! lol Miss and love Phyllis Rayment!
2. This is Mary Davison, who taught me how to stick to what you believe in, receive the Lord's forgiveness totally and let it go, and to love family no matter what. She was mom's best friend and kindred spirit. They would get together for lunch as often as possible and many times I got to join them They made me laugh so much. We all met at the Nazarene Church in Poulsbo and at one point I would take her to the store and on errands and always out to eat. She was a special person in my life and I called her "ma"! I loved helping her!
3. Ernestine Kain taught me compassion and how to see past peoples faults and love them anyway. She taught me not to worry about if people are grateful or not.... but did it please God?
Ernestine was the first person I met at PNC and I went to Azteca's for a Ladies Night Out following our first day at church. I turned to leave being uncomfortable and she stopped me and sat me by her and Sharon Hanna Davison. My life changed. She rubbed my hurting back, talked me into taking over Compassionate ministry when she moved to Oklahoma, checked on my all the time after I left the church. She had more love in her heart than any person I ever met.
4. Mary Lane taught me so much about forgiveness, being gracious, and how to serve others. She gave me a birthday dinner every year with fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and introduced me to fried parsnips (which she made so good!) She was always there to listen to me and give me her sage advice on so many things in life. She kept my family picture in her bathroom mirror and prayed for us. She loved me and I sure loved her!
5. Next row I have a picture of the lovely Virginia Mason. Another person we met through PNC. She taught me you can get through almost anything in life with a smile. She taught me to show compassion. I lined up a dinner for her every Sunday by asking someone to take her home after church or to a restaurant with them. Everyone was so willing, which was no reflection on me but on her and what a delight it was to be with her! She went through a lot in her life and her faith did not waiver. Amazing woman.
6. My mother-in-law, Waverly McCann, gave great hugs and welcomed me into her home and family from day one. She loved her kids more than anything in life and taught me to be happy for mine and to love and support them. She taught me life isn't perfect but we do the best we know how. She taught me Okra isn't terrible and it is best to keep some opinions to yourself. I loved her weekly phone calls and how she said my name in that high southern drawl. I will miss her forever.
7. Mom....my favorite. The one I didn't think I would ever lose. The one I knew would always be there for me. She knew every one of these ladies and loved them as much as me! My mama taught me so many things. How to forgive, love unconditionally, treat others how you want to be treated, kindness, and any good quality I have comes from mom. She gave me her love for old country music, chicken fried steak, and wacky cake. I miss her so much and try to keep her memory alive to others.
8. Sadly, I have no picture of Kaye Mathison. I wish I did. I met her at Martha and Mary kitchen and worked with her. Others didn't like her and I couldn't understand it and mom told me to form my own opinion. I loved her! She was getting ready to retire. She was outspoken, honest, and very caring. Kaye taught me to be a strong woman and not believe everything you hear...make your own opinion. Her husband, Alf, was union pres. at the mill and got Dave on there as a favor to me. She was so kind! In the days after her husband died someone was outside of her home banging on it. I went over and spent several nights with her. She was a strong woman but this scared her and I comforted her as she had comforted me and helped me in the past. Love her!!!
9. The bottom row is my aunties. Starting with who I was named after and probably am most like.... my Aunt Lorraine. Lorraine Tuff taught me to be honest and to be hospitable. and how to let people in my life. She was outspoken but one of the most sensitive and emotional person I have ever known. I see myself in her and I am proud of it. I loved her so much and I never, ever doubted her love for me. She made me laugh all the time with her quick wit and sarcasm. Her home in Peever, South Dakota, was my absolute favorite place to go when on vacation. We felt so welcome there, loved, and had a blast visiting and playing cards! Mom and dad felt the same way. I miss her so much!
10. My Aunt Millie died in 1996 and since she lived in Sisseton South Dakota I didn't know her as well as my other aunts. But I have sweet memories of how much she loved my parents and welcomed us into her home, cereal, toast and jelly every morning on the table, her kindness and how she spoke with a Norwegian accent like my dad. Dad was her baby brother but mom and her were like sisters. I am not sure why but it was always sad to say goodbye to her after time there in the summer. Sweet, kind, gentle soul. Love my aunt Millie.
11. My Aunt Clarice was a character. Mom's oldest sister and hard to know. She had her guard up and only let a few into her circle. Plus she was busy raising 5 boys and a girl. But I know she loved me as much as I loved her. She was good to my parents and us kids. She made great cinnamon rolls could knit so good and she had a great laugh and sense of humor. When she passed away something died in my mom and our family too. She was more like a mom to my mom and a grandma to us kids. She is so missed.
12. My Aunt Marcella passed away last Spring. I have no aunts or uncles now. They have all passed. My Aunt Marcella was such a kind person. She worried if others were ok all the time. She was caring, sweet, spoke with a Norwegian accent, was close to my mom and loved her two boys! She loved traveling and gambling in Dead Wood. She lived in Rapid City and we always stopped and spent time with them on our way across the state. We always felt welcomed and loved and free to come and go and do the touristy thing. She was great.
13. There was one more elderly lady I think of with love and fond memories from my childhood and that is Mrs. Gore. She lived across the street from us in a little white house with her husband Charley. We would stop in to say hi to her and she would always have cookies or cinnamon rolls or something baking. She was always happy to see us and invited us kids in. When you are a kid it is important to feel wanted and the one adult in our neighborhood who made me feel that way the most was Mrs. Gore. Sorry ... no picture of her.
That is my ladies.... I hope I didn't forget anyone this time!
