Remembering Gordy, Goose and More (Memorial Day)

We have an annual April visit to the cemetery, remembering Grandpa Gordon. This past April, it was cold and chilly as we went on Saturday. Ana and Pam had gone earlier, on the actual anniversary of his passing. The picture above, is the classic "Gray Selfie" and the one below is with a timer.

When Memorial Day came around, the house was filled with the kids friends, and I felt like I should stay and supervise. Gray met up with Pammy and they visited the graves of the other family members (they'd gone to see Grandma Henry's grave during the Moab trip). 

Up to Alpine for Pam's Dad and Granny Goose.

 They met up with my folks to visit the baby's graves.

My little sister and brother

They didn't grab a picture of Paula's ...

Grandma and Grandpa Blackham

Aunt Nessa 

Cousin Dick

...and of course Granny Goose

Gray thought the Coke bottle was an especially good touch. 

On May 29, Grayson posted a tribute on Facebook.
Many family members shared memories too.

The incomparable Granny Goose

Six years ago today this Goose flew the coup, and there wasn’t much we could do about it.

I remember:

• A pink Cadillac
• Black licorice
• Oceans of Coke
• Skip-Bo
• A key ring big enough to fit half way up her forearm (and, of course, the jingle bell)
• The fabric room downstairs
• 50 cent pieces every year for my birthday matching the age I turned
• Some pretty potent snoring when she slept at our house
• “See you in church”

And an absolutely indomitable spirit.

Nature Walks

It was a day in May, when Gray  (did you catch my rhyming there?) suggested we take a walk up around Silver Lake. It was a nice Sunday afternoon adventure. We remembered trips to the lake before, when Landon was just a baby, shortly before Cooper was born ...

We are missing Landon in these family photos (and experiences!)

Closer to home, we've also been taking walks along the canal ...

This dirt road runs along the canal right at the entrance to our neighborhood. It's a popular walking trail, and at this time of year, you can often see mama ducks and their little broods. We were lucky enough to see such a sight ...

...saw momma duck and her babies in the canal on the way home from school. Had to get out of the car and check them out. So cute! #duckies

A video posted by JenB (@jenblackham) on May 5, 2015 at 3:16pm PDT

On this trip down the canal, we also saw a bush with a billion ladybugs on it!

Okay, maybe not a billion, but a LOT.

Another walk down the canal, and we saw FIVE different mommy ducks and their  babies. It seems like whenever we see the babies they are so small, just a few days old. It is amazing how quickly they can swim and even scramble up the steep bank of the canal.

We've enjoyed getting out and about a bit this month of May ...

Mother's Day 2015

 Ah Mother's Day ... I had actually gotten up, but the boys said "back to bed!"  The whole "breakfast in bed" thing is a bit of a tradition. The picture with the boys looks lacking without Landon! But being Mother's Day, we'd get to talk to him later.

Gray poked his head in ...

 (barely, that's not even a quarter dome!) 

for his traditional selfie-shot. 

 Cooper helped with the bacon!

... and I got a record player! 

I actually really wanted a record player. I had recently obtained a big box of old albums from my childhood and was anxious to relive and re-listen to all the songs. There was music this Mother's Day! There will definitely be another post about these musical memories in the future.

Here's a quick taste ...

I got a record player for Mother's Day... Hubs and the boys don't quite appreciate the miracle of the music! #littleredcaboose

A video posted by JenB (@jenblackham) on May 10, 2015 at 8:42am PDT

... I also played (and sang along) the old classic from SONGS FOR A MORMON CHILD  "When I Grow Up I Want to be a Mother" ... it seemed appropriate for the day! *Ü*  Now I just need to convert some of these to MP3 to make sharing and listening to them easier.

We had the Blackham Clan over for Gray's classic BBQ

... and then of course, there was the Facetime call from Landon

Now that's a Happy Mother's Day.

Mothers Day ... From Gray

A tribute Grayson posted on Facebook.

Three women…three mothers…

The mother of my bride, the mother of my boys, and a mother of my own.

Their firstborn were all boys.

They became mothers in 1963, 1969 and 1995. One has 3 boys, one has 4 boys and one has 5 boys (though some may say she really has 6 boys). One has 2 biological daughters, one has 2 adopted daughters and one has no daughters. And they each "mother" in a way all their own.

I have an individual and unique relationship with each one. And at the risk of oversimplifying this, there are three hopes or desires that are woven deeply into these relationships and how they approach this somewhat rogue male. Here they are:

• A strong desire for me to be safe and healthy, mostly protecting me from myself :)
• The hope that I live up to my potential, seeing in me more than I see in myself
• The desire that I am happy, whether or not it is merited

That’s pretty good stuff. These are the most genuine, unfiltered, pure expressions that emanate from these relationships, from these women. I am theirs and they are mine and I feel more fortunate than I deserve or can express. And while today is the official day we've set apart to recognize them… as well we should… the reality is that I think about them and our relationships continuously. They are always on my mind… always in my heart.

Wishing love and happiness always, to the three muses of my soul.

A Post for Pammy

Grayson was out of town on Sunday, May 3 ... his mother's birthday. He had prepared a post for Facebook though, and made sure I got it posted for him. His words are always so touching and profound.

Here's his post ...

Goose and Zeke named her Pamela. That's what her birth certificate says. However, throughout her life she has been known by a host of monikers that are a clear indication of the affection people have for this dear soul. I wish I knew, and had time and space to share the story behind each name. Much of her history lies therein...

Pamela

Pam 

Pammy 

Hammy 

Maga 

Gaga 

Peep 

The moose (you'll have to ask Gordy on this one) 

Mom 

Mum 

Pammy-whammy ding-dong 

Today marks 69 years for her. Some will assuredly say or think it's not polite to mention a woman's age but, for me, this is something to celebrate, not recoil from. As has been the case for the 4 1/2 decades of my life with her, and up to the present time, she is often met with disbelief by those who are told her age. Indeed, there have been more than a few times someone thought I was her brother, not her son. And truth be told, she loves every minute of it... as well she should. 

For my part, there is a moniker that has come into view only in recent years… friend. 

She is my friend. 

She has an innate ability to make you feel important, validated. At least that has been my experience. In the midst of her own turmoil, she finds a way to deflect the spotlight and shine it on those around her, far more interested is what is going on with others than herself. That is the magic of Pammy. I can't explain it, nor does it need explaining. I can just revel in it. 

So today, I’m basking in the fiery glow of the candles on that cake, and wishing her a happy day and many, many more to come. 

Much love