Women of Influence

When I think of Addie and all our future posterity, I often find my thoughts turned to the women whose influence has shaped our --mine and Chris'-- lives.

Baba, Evelyn's maternal step-grandmother, is a loving mother and wife. She and my Grandfather live across the continent from us, so I have not had much opportunity to get to know her well. That notwithstanding, I have received many a birthday card with her (professional) art, and we were blessed to receive an original painting of hers when my mom returned from assisting my grandfather during the week Addie was born. She is both thoughtful and kind.

Grandma P., Chris' paternal grandmother, is small in stature and big on spirit. Before meeting her I had been told that this little woman is always on her knees (which is why they had to be replaced ;D). The night Chris and I flew into Salt Lake City to meet his family we went downstairs to her apartment, knocked on her bedroom door, and waited. Soon the door was open and tiny little Grandma P. apologized for the wait, she was saying her prayers! With ten children, approximately 75 grandchildren, and nearly 20 great-grandchildren, all of whose names she knows, she leaves an amazing legacy. Make no mistake, the numbers of her posterity may be great, but greater still is her legacy of love, faith, thoughtfulness, and humility.
Grannie Pat, Evelyn's paternal grandmother, is a small woman who is not short on spirit, opinion, or work ethic. She is a good and faithful woman, who loves her family and worked hard, alongside her husband, to support them. During Hurricane Katrina she lost her home and very nearly her life. A fighter, she survived that nightmare the same way she endured other hardships in life--with faith and courage.

Grandma T, Evelyn's maternal grandmother, is a great example of lifetime learning. She attended college and received her bachelors as an English major, then later in life was educated and trained to be a nurse, and continues to be an active reader. She instilled a love for learning. A concerned mother, she cares about each of her children and exemplifies how the love of a mother enables a woman to see what her child is capable of achieving.

GranMarne`, Chris' maternal grandmother, is no stranger to adversity, but you would never know it unless you knew a little of her life history. After our reception a few of our friends described her to us as "regal". I think the term definitely fits! GranMarne` is an amazing woman of diverse talents who initiated the travel-abroad trend. Always a supportive wife, she learned to not just live but thrive in various areas of the United States and a few different countries.
Lisa, Chris' mom, is a great example and help to us in many realms, but especially in the graceful and cheerful manner in which she has adapted to life in foreign countries. When we learned (a year ago!) that we would be moving to Kazakhstan I knew I had a valuable resource in this amazing woman. I remember having a conversation with her in which we discussed my lack of fear to move across the world because (1) I was going to a place with a branch of our church, (2) there were family friends, and (3) Almaty is practically Chris' second home. Lisa commented that it would be so hard without those things, and I laughed and reminded her that when she moved her family to Kazakhstan, they didn't have those resources (she'd truly forgotten!).

Besides her influence and wisdom which is so beneficial to us now, she has also had great influence as she reared a certain someone I am quite fond of. ;) I know that much of the wonderfulness of my husband can be attributed to her diligence and goodness in motherhood.
Vicki, my mom, is probably the most charitable person I know. This woman lives to serve and rarely thinks of herself. Her selfless service is often unknown to many, but there is evidence of it in the lives of her family, ward members, and neighbors. The weeks after Addie was born were rather difficult: I was weak and Chris was working out of state. A few times a week my mom would drive up and spend the night with me. She would make the hour drive and arrive after 9 p.m., do my dishes, fold our laundry, listen to me talk, wake up with me when Addie woke up, change Addie's diaper and burp her, soothe her as necessary, and then wake up around 5:30 a.m. to make the hour drive back to work. I'm not sure what I would have done without her!

My mom has always been my biggest cheerleader. As a youth she attended all my softball, soccer and field hockey games, and since moving from my family's ward (over eight years ago) I can't think of a time when she hasn't attended a talk or lesson I've given--except when I was in Utah. Now that I'm in a faraway land she makes sure I have at least one comment on each of my posts. =D
These blurbs on our beloved mothers and grandmothers are just a sampling of the extent of the example they have set for us, Addie, and future posterity. When I think of them I find myself amazed at these wonderful women Addie and I have to look up to and learn from. Their pasts are diverse, their experiences vast. One thing remains consistent: they are women worthy of much love and emulation.

Today we honor you.