I found this unfinished letter in a box a couple of nights ago. Despite its personal nature, I am sharing it… because it’s positive, and we all need something positive to read these days.

Here’s my mother and me, still becoming acquainted:

April 2004

Dear Mom,

You are so many things to me. I’ve been thinking about my favorite memories and qualities I have seen in you.

First, a list of memories of you as my mother:

Music…always
You read so many books to me.
You rescued me from the dogs on the way to elementary school.
You rolled my hair into curlers so I would be pretty.
You made me eggnog when I was sick and spaghetti when it was my birthday.
You sewed outfits for me… a favorite shirt with an angel patch.
You helped me learn to ride a bike and roller skate and perform at my recitals.
You listened and participated in my concerts.
You used every resource you had to pay for music lessons.
You were my chauffeur.
You left sweet notes for me (I kept them all) at my bedside.
You bought me pop tarts and Carnation [instant] breakfasts for early morning breakfasts in high school.
You went on orchestra tour with me to Cedar City.
You helped me pick out a prom dress.

~end~

Here are a few more things that I would like to add, 6 years later:

You kept your kitchen clean. I could hear you doing the dishes at night after I was in bed.

I always had clean clothes to wear.

You worked to help me find friends that were good for me.

I need to mention books again. I remember all of the children draped over the sofa beside you, behind you, and around you while you read to us. You were always ready to read to us.

You were a good Scout wife. I remember when Dad went to Wood Badge for about a week and it was hard, but you were brave. I wondered why those little beads were so small. They represented a lot of time for Dad and for you. You went to the Scout office, packed for the campouts, shopped, sewed, attended, and cheered.

You were in the PTA… always.

You went to our Parent Teacher conferences.

You helped me write my talks for church.

You went to the temple with Dad.

You were always thinking about the youth from church; a confidante to many young women.

At registration day (i.e. Pay Us day) at high school, you paid for the yearbook and other fees and I just felt so grateful.

You picked me up from my college dorm one day along with 6 loads of laundry that I had accumulated and helped me get back on top of my life.

When Richard and I were sick at Westwind, you did our laundry for us.

You seemed to know when I was sick or in need. You showed up one day at my apartment and found me suffering from a very bad cold. You took me home and made me breakfast.

You gave me a copy of the cute handouts you made for the young women at church. I kept that “Master in Charge” card for ages.

You were so excited to be a grandmother, you brought me (& future baby) presents while I was still in labor.

You took care of me for each surgery and birth… 7 lengthy visits.

You drove me to the airport when I left Utah 12 years ago.

Your voice is what I hear as I read the scriptures. So many verses you have put to music…

You were 20 when I was born. I’m so glad.

You gave up school so Dad could finish. You gave up school again to go on a mission.

Of course there is so much more I can say. But at least I am saying something and not laying it aside like I did 6 years ago.

I love you.

~A

We were so glad to see you. We love you so much, we even came outside in our pajamas for hugs. We are sorry your car got wrecked in Phoenix. That’s the #1 place for traffic and all things awful for travel.

Thanks for wrestling the boys during all the rehearsals and providing a sugar wonderland in our lives. We are thinking you must have fed Sparky something good, too. He doesn’t try to stow away in just anyone’s car.

We are so glad you came.

Love,

The Richard Rosses

Friday I offered a prayer at our annual homeschool club Christmas party. One prayer request came from a friend who simply wanted us to pray as a group for an undisclosed need. And we did.

I’ve been thinking about that request. We all have private struggles and challenges, and many try to face them alone. One thing I have learned (and love) about my Christian friends is that they openly express needs and pray for one another. I find my own troubles tiresome and my mind wanders when I pray only for myself. This year, I have seen friends and family struggle with illnesses, death, and other challenges. I have felt powerless and worried, but when I prayed, I felt like THIS act was the best service I could give for problems that were just too big for me. Learning to transform my useless worry into meaningful prayer has been a common theme in 2009.

I’m grateful for the love that naturally grows as I pray for someone and the miracles of healing and comfort that have come this year from a loving Father in Heaven.

Sarah and Bryan came and we ate Thanksgiving Day leftovers. I was helping sample/make the sandwiches.

The boys entertained Bryan with a 6 hour session of Lego Show and Tell.

And then there was Set. Paige and Timothy love that game.

Thanks for coming to visit us. It was so nice to see you!

We love Grandma Ruth.

First memory of her: walking toward the hospital with her when my brother Joe was sick (I was 5).

Favorite dish she makes: tamale pie

Favorite Grandma Ruth object: her sketches from her childhood

Happy memories: Curling her hair one day, trip to Hearst Castle, faithful letters and cards all my life, sorting out boxes of the past, dressing up in heirloom clothing in her living room, working on recipes, special talks about important things.

Favorite decorations in her home: pictures of grandchildren and soft watercolors.

Dear Family,

I’d like to share some of the research I have been doing about an ancestor. I’ve written this post as if I were her. See if you can guess who she is. -A.R.

This is a picture of me when I was a baby in San Francisco. My parents were Wilhelmina and Emil. People called my mom, “Mina,” which rhymes with “Tina.” Papa worked as the first officer for the Southern Pacific Ferry. I was born in America after my parents left Sweden. I was their second child. Their first child passed away. These were my shoes:

We survived the San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906. Here is a silver pitcher which was partially burned.

This is a picture of me and my mother, Mina. My dad passed away in his early fifties. My mother worked hard to support the family. She was a wonderful cook.

I trained as a nurse. I kept detailed journals and photo albums, newspapers, magazines, and letters. I always lived a frugal life and enjoyed the benefits of saving money. I married a widower and raised his daughter. Her mother had died of consumption. Here is a picture of me during the 1920’s.

Here are the war ration books from WWII that I saved. The two stars on my pin represent my brother and cousin who went to war. My cousin Harvey died suddenly after coming home from the war from some shrapnel in his body. My brother, Lloyd served in the Philippines. I spent time making USO scrapbooks.

I wrote notes to Presidents, including Harry Truman and John F. Kennedy and kept each reply. I wrote to Jackie Kennedy when her husband died and she sent a thank you note. I wrote to J. Edgar Hoover and had a letter signed by him, as well.

I loved animals and kept birds and cats. I took very good care of my husband and daughter. We lived in Berkeley. My husband worked in the hardwood flooring business. When they built the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), they tore down our home to make a path for it. This was heartbreaking to me.

Here is a picture of me in 1975, near the end of my life.

Do you know who I am?

I am Cerie, the wife of Axel, mother to Ruth.