Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Life is Good

This is my Mom and Dad. They are the best parents in the world. On March 20, 2009 they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

They are amazing people. They have built an astounding world full of more truly great people. Six children, 24 grandchildren, 1 and 8/9 great grandchildren. Successful, happy people. How did they do it?

Example, respect, kindness and love.

Growing up we had breakfast and dinner together every day. Each of these began with the family kneeling together for family prayer. Never underestimate the power of a family meal. After church every week during Sunday dinner we like to ask the kids what they learned in their classes.

I learned recently that my parents did the same thing ~for a while~ when we were kids. But because of one female middle child who shall remain nameless they had to stop. Why, you ask? Because nobody else ever got a chance to talk. Honestly, when Mom started to tell that story I thought the culprit would have been my oldest brother. What do you mean, I was the talker??

Our friends were always welcome in our parents home. We had sleepovers, birthday parties, 4-H, and boy scouts. When we went off to college we brought friends home for Thanksgiving.

That's when my Mom fell in love with Cycle Guy. Thanksgiving 1986. It took me just a little longer.

Mom always has beautiful flower gardens and Dad keeps a huge vegetable garden. Grandkids love to visit with Grandpa in the garden and look for fairies with Grandma in the flowers.

Once when I was a teenager, I was so excited to have beaten a boy at pool and my Mom told me that I should let boys win. Nice idea, manners, but I was an 80's woman and took great pride in beating a boy at pool.

Cycle Guy frequently reminds me that my Mom says I should let boys win. Hmmmm... Nope.

Life was happy growing up in their home. Life is happy now visiting in their home.
Thanks Mom and Dad for teaching me that Life is Good.
50 years and Forever to go.



5 comments:

Goings on at the Glenn's said...

That is great! It makes me happy to see couples pull that off. Coming from a family whose parents are now separated I cling on to those other examples. Thanks for sharing.

Mike J said...

What? Jenny talk too much at dinner? I just don't see that happening :) You do have great parents and I have awesome in-laws!

Anonymous said...

This is an awesome tribute Jenny! So glad you could come!

Rhonda said...

Ohhhh how wonderful. My parents also just celebrated their 50th in Arizona and I our family went down for that this past summer.

Your post is such a wonderful tribute to equally wonderful parents. Lucky, lucky you.

Such a sweet tribute.

Joy For Your Journey said...

What a wonderful tribute to your parents! Mine celebrated their 50th anniversary last summer. It is such an accomplishment. How blessed we are to have been brought up in such great families!