Today, is my mother in law’s birthday. I love her dearly for many reasons… reasons like the son she raised that I am so lucky to have, her thoughtful and caring ways, the way she loves my boys. But I also admire her for many other reasons, reasons like her desire to continue to educate herself and always learn something new whether it be through reading or taking classes. Reasons like the genuine interest she shows in others hobbies or things they are interested in. It’s not unlike her to read up on a photography related article and send it my way.
I also greatly admire the effort that she puts in to making memories for her family. She’s not one to sit on the sidelines and watch but rather one to jump in and create memories. My boys have talked since last Thanksgiving about going on bear hunts throughout the house, thanks to her amazing imagination. They love their exploring adventures of taking nature hikes through the mountains while camping or exploring for sea creatures at the ocean. She creates every day memories, like trips to the dollar store and more rare memories for those that she loves. Memories like sailing in a Windjammer off the coast of Maine with my nephew Bailey. Memories like exploring Moab with my stepson, Trey. Memories like a trip to Seattle with my stepson, Tyler. Memories like learning about our nation’s history in Washington DC with my stepson, Seth. She’s experienced exciting adventures like White Water Rafting with my nephew Taylor and shared in the magic of Disneyland with my niece, Savannah.
In addition, she works hard at making a normal day more fun and memorable. For example, she starting collecting camouflage attire in all sizes… sizes for her, and sizes for the smallest little ones. By the time of our annual visit last summer, she had quite the collection. She handed out shirts, pants, weapons and recruited Uncle Johnny to do everyone’s makeup. Then she took her grandkids on a Force Recon Mission in the backyard fields.
As I mentioned previously, she’s not one to sit on the sidelines… you didn’t think she’d miss out on getting her makeup done too, did you?
When everyone was ready in full gear, she headed out with them on a mission.
But it wasn’t just any make-believe mission. She had researched Force Recon Mission signals and taught the kids about the signals and how a real mission might go down.
Whether it be a trip to the other side of the country with a hefty price tag, or a day in the fields of her California backyard with thrift store pricing, the memories created are priceless.
Thank you, DeEtta for being such an inspiration to me and hopefully an inspiration to my readers. For those of you reading, think of “Grandma DeDe” and create some memories for your family. Get off the sidelines and jump right in. Explore your neighborhood field for treasures, go on a bear hunt down your hallway, start a rock collection with your kids.
Hapy, happy birthday, Grandma DeDe. We love you and miss you. We hope you have a fantastic day. And in the spirit of memories here is an oldie, specifically for you DeDe! My first video ever uploaded to You Tube.
Love you,
Heather
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