.

Here, gathered in our beloved South Dakota, are a few members of our Williamson / Mattson Clan. Charles and Luella are to be blamed (be kind, they didn't know what they were doing). We're generally a happy bunch and somewhat intelligent (notwithstanding our tenuous grasp on reality). I'm also proud to say that most of us still have our teeth.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

To the Queen, on Mother's Day

 Moms.  Who Else?

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

Hello All,
Mothers Day 2012.  I woke up today thinking about my dear old mother.  I thought about all she has done for me over the last 50 odd years.  I think about all the crap she put up with as we were growing up.  I thought about her strong Montana ranch girl spirit.  I though about the example she has been.

Then another thought crossed my mind. A darker thought. I started to wonder how many times this year we've paused to celebrate our dear dear Luella.   Let's see....
  • Her Birthday on January 14th.  We all told her we loved her and showered her with affection and gifts.
  • Christmas.  We all told her we loved her and showered her with affection and gifts.  
  • Mother's Day where we are all telling her how much we love her and are showering her with phone calls and gifts.  
I drove up American Fork Canyon to walk the Timp Cave Trail (my daily exercise).  All along the trail the thought kept gnawing at me.  Do I let brazen commercialism dictate my life, telling me when and where I'm to spend my money and when and where to tell someone that they are loved and appreciated?  Aren't we stronger than that?  Surely once a year is enough to say "I love you" in word and gift.

I decided today would be my day to make a stand against the FTD florists and Hallmark Cards.  Mom was appreciated twice already within the last six months and that should suffice.  It was time to urge my stoic and emotionless English blood out from behind the warm and overbearing Italian blood that rules the heart.  It was time to make a stand for logic in the face of emotion.

My resolve lasted one hour.

There stood Luella, standing in the driveway waiting for me to pick her up for our weekly trip to Winco and Walmart.  She fills her shopping cart, and while she writes her check at the checkout stand (I think she is the only person left in Utah Valley who still holds up a grocery line by writing a check) I bag her groceries, take them to the car and stow them in the trunk.  I drive to the entrance to pick her up, saving her the walk to through the parking lot.  As I drive slowly over the the speed bump I see see her standing there waiting for me near the racks of potted flowers - the best mom in the world with her gray top and flowered blouse, clutching a purse which easily identifies her age.  She smiles and gets in the car.

"Thank you," she says.

"Happy Mother's Day," I reply.

She deserves her three days, and more.

Here's to you Mom.

Below is a video tribute I'm reposting from her birthday as a thank you for everything.  Happy Mother's Day from your eight children, scores of grandchildren and who knows how many great grandchildren.  Long Live the Queen!



And who can let this mother's day pass without a acknowledging the 5 Williamson sisters, all mother's themselves. 

Lisa, Janice, Annette, Jilane and Kim taken years and years and years and yes, years ago

 
Where did this photo come from?

Years have past and loving sisters still (mind you, it can difficult getting them to recognize each other).  
A Happy Mothers Day to the Five Williamson Sisters.
Kim, Janice, Jilane and Lisa.   Annette took the picture.

And what is this doing here? I smell a hijacking...

Simply with a smile
Victor