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Our Aunt Nita is great about getting our family together, although it was rare that so many of us were able to come that Mother's Day for a visit and lunch. In addition to my immediate family most of my cousins and their children made the trip.
Mother's Day 2000
Our mother, Bobbie, is on the second row from the front, holding Susan's daughter, Elizabeth. Granny, next to her, is holding her great granddaughter and namesake, Callie. Next to our mother is her brother, our uncle Kenneth. On the other side is her sister, Aunt Nita, holding one of her grandchildren; Sarah is on the third row, holding her son Adam. Susan in the navy suit is beside her. Laurel is in the turquoise suit, and her husband, David, is standing behind her wearing a coral polo shirt.
Susan’s Story
Susan’s Story
Our mother went back to college to finish her undergraduate degree after our father passed away in 1968. She was 31, had three young girls all in elementary school, and despite her newspaper experience, she could not find even a part-time job. This factored into her decision to continue her education so she could support her family. Our grandparents helped care for us during this difficult time. After earning a B.S. in English and becoming the first in her family to graduate from college, Mom enrolled in Library School at the University of Texas. She made new friends in graduate school and had an active social life. Upon graduating with an MLS, she returned to Houston and joined the Houston Public Library as a branch librarian.
Mother’s courage in starting life over with three small children convinced me of the value of education and the importance of being able to provide for your family. After earning my BS and getting married, I was unhappy with my job. Mom advised me, “You always have choices. You may not like them, but you always have choices.” That prompted me to enroll in graduate school full-time while working full-time. That choice started my career in learning and development, working with companies and not-for-profits with a national and global reach. The importance of owning your career and life choices and taking care of your family are a few of the lessons I learned from our mother.
Mom and Susan 1958.
Bobbie graduated from high school and was determined to go to college. My grandparents wanted her to work at the phone company. She attended college before leaving to work after she married our father in 1956.
Happy Birthday!
Laurel with her girls and dog. August 2015.
Laurel and Davis wedding portrait, 1984.
Laurel's Story
Laurel's Story
The importance of giving where you can make a difference,
My mother was the reference librarian and was aware when people in need would come in for help.
In middle school, our mother’s bi-weekly paycheck meant allowances were paid and a dinner out was forthcoming! On payday, I was eagerly awaiting my goodies. Mom came home and said the money she was going to spend on taking us out was needed to buy groceries for a new immigrant family with young children to feed. So this week, there were no restaurant outings or allowances. As a teenager, I didn't understand why she felt free to give them my allowance as well.
I was upset for a while before I realized that my mother had been the parent who needed help feeding her children, and my sisters and I had been the young children who depended on Mom for that meal. Our grandparents provided that support and much more. Mom believed she ought to give back now that she had a job and a college degree.
That experience taught me that everyone must make every effort, no matter how small, to alleviate suffering. That lesson is one I will never forget. I've grown into a stronger person and have a more giving heart. As an adult, I have had ten foster children and two adoptions. My mother helped me every step of the way. Seeing children without someone to love and nurture them, or worse, knowing of children who are abused, is something I cannot stand by and watch. I credit my mother and my grandmother for my desire to help children in need.
Sarah's Story
Sarah's Story
Sarah and her son Adam in 2013
Our Halloween costumes were made by Mom. It was the 60's and Laurel and Susan had Star Trek inspired outfits space outfits, complete with shiny short skirts and an ice cream bucket for a helmet. Sarah's Little Red Riding Hood costume was adorable.
Mother and Granny on a family outing These two generous, kind women had the greatest influence on our lives.
Like my sisters, I grew up seeing the importance of education and making certain that I could take care of myself. I decided to stay home with my son after having him, and almost a decade later, I needed to quickly restart my career while going through a traumatic and unexpected divorce. I was fortunate to have my degree and a solid work history prior to becoming a mother. Getting hired for that first full-time job was difficult, but once over that hurdle, I made rapid progress in my career and, within a few years, had regained the ground I lost in that decade out of the full-time work force. Much of this I credit to persistence, something I learned from my mother and grandparents. My family and friends saved me. My mother came and stayed with us, cooking for me and my son when I could barely eat. My sister, Susan, coached me through the job search and helped me rebuild my work wardrobe. The love and encouragement that were lavished on me by sister Laurel and the rest of my wonderful family and friends—particularly three close girlfriends—gave me the will to go on. My mother taught me that with the support of your family and a few really good friends, you can get through almost anything. I carry that with me always, and knowing I have people I can truly count on is one of the things in life I am most grateful for.
Susan and Mike's wedding in 1980 Mom supervises the cake cutting. Mom made Susan's dress from a Vogue pattern, and she and Granny made all the bridesmaid dresses. Susan baked the cake, and Mom stayed up all night decorating it. Our aunt made the canapes.
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