I saw this question in a magazine that Jenny left on the couch. It is Good Friday and a time for reflection. Before I read the answer I thought of the last time I felt like a child. In the article the question was answsered, "I knew it when my own mother died. That's the last time there would be anyone in the world who always put me before herself."
What a sense of sadness this brought to me today. My mother, Nana, died November 14, 2008. I knew for a while that I didn't like her feeling so frustrated and being treated like she was the child. She was our mother and didn't like that part of her life being taken away from her. I knew how much it irritated her that she couldn't remember simple things or things that she had just done. Much of this was why she didn't want to go places. She was afraid that she would repeat herself and embarrass herself in front of the people she loved and knew all her life. Little did she know that they would tolerate this because they loved her and she gave so much of her life helping others.
As much as I didn't want her to die I knew I didn't want her to suffer with this. I think in the last few years before she got real forgetful, my Sundays I spent with her and Dad were some of the days I will remember and cherish. I will cherish how she loved my girls each for the individuals they are. I will cherish how much she loved when my grandsons visited her and would talk about them the next time I was there. My girls were so blessed to have her in their lives. I am so glad that in the last few years of her life never did she forget who any of us were.
Today for the first time I have felt the impact of those words. "That is the last time there would be anyone in the world who always put me before herself." My dad knows how much we miss her and how much she did making sure every day was special. He knows that it is the small things we do for each other that makes us a family.
We helped Dad pick out the head stone for Mom on Valentine's Day. We all got together afterwards at the house and had a party. When we met at Tata's so we could drive together to Tucson, he was so proud to pull out three Valentine Chocolate boxes. He was so excited to give us this, his three daughters. He now has the job my mom had all those years to remember all his kids' and grandkids' birthdays. He hasn't forgotten one yet. I know when it is his time to go, that will be the last person to love me with the love of a parent. I thank the Lord everyday that He gave me life and helped me to become the person I am today.
As parents we are not perfect and there are many things that I would do different. There is so many things that I did wrong in raising my girls but I know that they are so loved in this family. They are the girls they are because of US. I know everytime I see them I am so thankful that they are mine. I know their dad and I are so proud of the women they have become.
Being a mom doesn't mean you know everything or can solve everything because sometimes allowing your children to solve things themselves makes them smarter. How lucky I was to have my mom as a role model and a friend. I am glad she doesn't have to get to the point in her life that she forgot who her kids were. I think that would have been harder for me to handle than anything else.
Mama, I do miss you. I do know that no one could ever love me like you did. I think of you this Easter and know that you are with The Lord on this very special day. When I see the sunrise on Easter Sunday, I will know you are watching over all of us. Please continue to pray for my kids and their kids. Pray that they will continue to love each other when it is my time to go be with you.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
You know you are old when........
Today, I realized just how old I was. I was at a birthday celebration for Kelly Bray, a sweet young lady that is as old a one of my daughters. Jan Bried, Tina Jada, and I drove from work to be there for her. As I watched the kids, yes, I mean kids walk in I realized I feel so old. Here I am with the wrinkles forming fast and here are those kids with the smooth faces I once had.
Joyce Gingrich and I were sitting next to each other wondering, "what are we doing here?" Joyce asked me are you staying much longer and I said no I wasn't because it was going to be past my bedtime. We were looking around at the young girls there and realized we were the older ones and Jan said no we were the responsible ones. We were laughing so hard at our having friends that are old enough to be our kids. We did enjoy ourselves but Joyce still wants to do a night out with the old fogies in our lives. I agree. At least we will know what songs are playing and what is really funny, have some wine, eat chocolate, have some more wine, and eat some more. I hope this is soon. I really miss being with Joyce because she always knows how to make me laugh so hard at myself.
Liz and Trish, you haven't written on your blog in a while. Get with the program. I miss reading your great stories. I have to read Jenny's over and over so I can get my fix. At least Jen writes every weekend or so. Hope to hear from you both soon.
MOFD
Joyce Gingrich and I were sitting next to each other wondering, "what are we doing here?" Joyce asked me are you staying much longer and I said no I wasn't because it was going to be past my bedtime. We were looking around at the young girls there and realized we were the older ones and Jan said no we were the responsible ones. We were laughing so hard at our having friends that are old enough to be our kids. We did enjoy ourselves but Joyce still wants to do a night out with the old fogies in our lives. I agree. At least we will know what songs are playing and what is really funny, have some wine, eat chocolate, have some more wine, and eat some more. I hope this is soon. I really miss being with Joyce because she always knows how to make me laugh so hard at myself.
Liz and Trish, you haven't written on your blog in a while. Get with the program. I miss reading your great stories. I have to read Jenny's over and over so I can get my fix. At least Jen writes every weekend or so. Hope to hear from you both soon.
MOFD
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Where do I start?
My name is Lydia Padilla Henry. I knew I was going to marry Cy the first time I set eyes on him. Actually, I think I proposed before he did much to the dismay of my parents who had invisioned their first daughter married to a nice young Catholic man. As Cy became part of the family, they did learn to love and respect the person I married especially when we had four wonderful granddaughters for them to love.
When Liz was just 18 months and Jenny had turned a year we moved to Apache Junction. I couldn't believe that Cy brought his new family to what I thought was the biggest "hell hole" in the world. I didn't know that I would come to love and watch my children grow in this community.
As children do they grow up, move out and get married. The three oldest are married and the youngest is single (I am not sure I am quite ready for her to be married, she is my baby after all).
Elizabeth married Wayne Langenbach and has two handsome boys who are 2 out of the 4 loves of my lives. I am glad Wayne loves beer and hunting because that has been Cy's dream when he didn't have boys was the hopes that his daughters would marry hunters. I don't even mind that he doesn't like wine, musicals, and fondue parties because he can keep Cy company on hunting trips and pee in trees and tell dumb stories, like how the Disney movie, Bambi ruins his chances of his girls wanting to go hunting with him.
Jenny married Ryan Gelbrich and have a very handsome (not sure how this happened with brown being predominant) blue eyed boy. I am equally glad that Ryan loves beer but eternally grateful he loves wine too. We went to many wineries while they lived in Oregon. After 9 years without Jenny at home, they call Arizona home.
Those were the big girls. Now on to the little girls. Tricia is a newlywed and married Joey Richardson who we have know since the little girls were little. Dale, Joe's dad, coached with Cy at Apache Junction High School. How fun it was to see those two get married. Joe loves beer and wine equally and just recently brought our Little Babalooski home.
Our baby is Tara Kitty and like I said am just not ready to give her up to someone yet. She just recently moved out and now our house is so empty. Hence, "empty nest" which some folks look forward to but not me. I could have my kids with me forever. Well, they all broke their promise to their father which was to live with us forever.
My grandsons are the best gift I have ever had or could ever want. Nothing compares with being a grandmother, drammy, grams, grammy or even manny. They are my heart and my soul and would have to fight their parents if they ever moved again. I love the way they looked at me when I used to get them at daycare and school and now they are here when I get home from school. They are THE BEST part of my day.
Now the real reason I decided to write this BLOG, yes Jenny I didn't say BLOB!
Today Tricia and Joey and their kitties drove to their house with a U-Haul. They collected the last of their belongings in Albuquerque. When they arrived to their new house Wayne, Liz, Ryan, Jenny, Tara, and all the boys were there to help. I brought tacos, rice, and homemade refried beans. With all the help, it only took under two hours. Most of their things were put away and a few things are still left to be done.
This is a day that all parents would love to witness and some never get to see this. To have all my children love each other and help each other out when needed. The big girls have always loved the little ones even if when they were younger thought that they were brats at times. And the little girls at times thought their older sisters were bossy. But seeing them together today, I know how truly blessed we are to have our kids love each other enough to be there for each other. Hey, maybe we didn't do such a bad job of being parents, and some of the mistakes along the way didn't do permanent damage.
Thank you Lord for my gifts of their love and friendship daily and for the men they brought into my life. I am proud to be your mother and equally proud to be your friend.
I love you girls for the individuals you are and for being so different yet so much the same.
Love,
Mom
My name is Lydia Padilla Henry. I knew I was going to marry Cy the first time I set eyes on him. Actually, I think I proposed before he did much to the dismay of my parents who had invisioned their first daughter married to a nice young Catholic man. As Cy became part of the family, they did learn to love and respect the person I married especially when we had four wonderful granddaughters for them to love.
When Liz was just 18 months and Jenny had turned a year we moved to Apache Junction. I couldn't believe that Cy brought his new family to what I thought was the biggest "hell hole" in the world. I didn't know that I would come to love and watch my children grow in this community.
As children do they grow up, move out and get married. The three oldest are married and the youngest is single (I am not sure I am quite ready for her to be married, she is my baby after all).
Elizabeth married Wayne Langenbach and has two handsome boys who are 2 out of the 4 loves of my lives. I am glad Wayne loves beer and hunting because that has been Cy's dream when he didn't have boys was the hopes that his daughters would marry hunters. I don't even mind that he doesn't like wine, musicals, and fondue parties because he can keep Cy company on hunting trips and pee in trees and tell dumb stories, like how the Disney movie, Bambi ruins his chances of his girls wanting to go hunting with him.
Jenny married Ryan Gelbrich and have a very handsome (not sure how this happened with brown being predominant) blue eyed boy. I am equally glad that Ryan loves beer but eternally grateful he loves wine too. We went to many wineries while they lived in Oregon. After 9 years without Jenny at home, they call Arizona home.
Those were the big girls. Now on to the little girls. Tricia is a newlywed and married Joey Richardson who we have know since the little girls were little. Dale, Joe's dad, coached with Cy at Apache Junction High School. How fun it was to see those two get married. Joe loves beer and wine equally and just recently brought our Little Babalooski home.
Our baby is Tara Kitty and like I said am just not ready to give her up to someone yet. She just recently moved out and now our house is so empty. Hence, "empty nest" which some folks look forward to but not me. I could have my kids with me forever. Well, they all broke their promise to their father which was to live with us forever.
My grandsons are the best gift I have ever had or could ever want. Nothing compares with being a grandmother, drammy, grams, grammy or even manny. They are my heart and my soul and would have to fight their parents if they ever moved again. I love the way they looked at me when I used to get them at daycare and school and now they are here when I get home from school. They are THE BEST part of my day.
Now the real reason I decided to write this BLOG, yes Jenny I didn't say BLOB!
Today Tricia and Joey and their kitties drove to their house with a U-Haul. They collected the last of their belongings in Albuquerque. When they arrived to their new house Wayne, Liz, Ryan, Jenny, Tara, and all the boys were there to help. I brought tacos, rice, and homemade refried beans. With all the help, it only took under two hours. Most of their things were put away and a few things are still left to be done.
This is a day that all parents would love to witness and some never get to see this. To have all my children love each other and help each other out when needed. The big girls have always loved the little ones even if when they were younger thought that they were brats at times. And the little girls at times thought their older sisters were bossy. But seeing them together today, I know how truly blessed we are to have our kids love each other enough to be there for each other. Hey, maybe we didn't do such a bad job of being parents, and some of the mistakes along the way didn't do permanent damage.
Thank you Lord for my gifts of their love and friendship daily and for the men they brought into my life. I am proud to be your mother and equally proud to be your friend.
I love you girls for the individuals you are and for being so different yet so much the same.
Love,
Mom
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
3 from Oregon 2 Arizona: Will They Ever Find Him?
3 from Oregon 2 Arizona: Will They Ever Find Him?
This was so much fun to read. I love reading and looking at our pictures of our family.
This was so much fun to read. I love reading and looking at our pictures of our family.
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