Today I took Mom to the optometrists. Sadly, he told her there was nothing he could do to help her eyesight. She was not able to read any line of letters or numbers on the wall or the card. It was heart breaking to see the look of disappointment on Mom's face. She will be 89 in a couple of weeks and still does laundry, cook, and crochet. She crochets using patterns she knows by heart. We got her a new pole lamp with three bulbs which gives off a bright light for her when she needs it! She just completed a baby afghan for Jeni and David's baby girl! She is so proud that SHE did this one all by herself, and I didn't have to help her complete it. This blanket will be a treasure to keep because I don't know how many more she will be able to crochet due to her eyesight!
Mom can be a live and feisty mother, but she gets so much pleasure from making "things" and giving them away as presents. When she was really able to crochet, if she heard that a friend of a friend of a friend was going to have a baby - she would have an afghan made within a week. Dad always said she could crochet with her eyes closed! :) As gifts for our teachers, she would crochet doilies which were a big hit! It wasn't until I started teaching and crocheting myself that I fully understood why my teachers were so pleased with the present!
Dad was a lot like Mom. He loved making things with wood and giving them away!!! Both he and Mom could have had a craft shop and sold hundreds of their creations. This is not who they were/are. It was all about the joy of giving. Many times through the years I have made something special just for them. It was usually something I had written just for them.
The last card I made for them was Valentine Day 2004! It was a poem I created based on the scripture I Corinthians 13: 4-7. This was their Valentine gift and a card all rolled into one. I wrote is as a token to tell them that the love they have given my brothers and me (and the extended family) over the years was the greatest gift and example of what love is all about. They did their best to show by example what true love means; how to love one another; love their parents, their children, -in-laws, grandchildren, and extended family and friends; and how to love God and live a life as He would want them to live.
Love between the two of you is a blessed joy
All who observe this say it's the "real McCoy."
Scripture says that love is patient and kind,
Which has kept us as a family oh so entwined.
Love does not envy and will never boast.
This you have shared from coast to coast.
Love is not to be proud or even self-seeking,
But yours is a love of which many are speaking.
Your love does not anger, nor keeps a record of wrong.
It is the love of God and family that keeps us strong.
Love doesn't delight in evil, but rejoices with truth.
These beliefs you've followed since your youth!
This love shows trust and will always protect.
Your entire family is an example of its effects.
With love there is always hope that will persevere
A life in which we all wish to adhere!
Your loving children - Dink, John, Sue, and Mike
Want you to know the love we have for you is like
That of a white dove flowing through the sky.
It is sweet, trusting, and will forever gratify.
We love you more than words could ever explain;
How to love and be sincere - you helped us to obtain.
The traits you have passed on to our generation
Have been and will always be our inspiration.
Candy and roses are the traditional gifts,
But these words were written to help uplift.
You both have all our endearing and faithful love,
And especially that love from our Father up above!
Sue Hardin - February 14, 2009
(written as a show of my brothers and my love for our parents)
I love my parents very much. I know we all think our parents are the best, but my brothers and I really do have the best! :) I can say this since I'm the one writing!! I love you Mom. I love and miss you Dad!
PS : You have two days left to write a poem or note for your loved ones for Valentines Day!!! Have fun!
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