Family Friday: Featuring My Mother Bea

All that I am or hope to be I owe to my angel mother.
Abraham Lincoln

You might want to grab some popcorn and a drink before embarking on reading this weeks Family Friday, this is probably the longest post so far but this week I'm featuring the Matriarch of our family; my Mother. I mentioned "longevity" in a previous post, well Mother certainly qualifies in the longevity department, she is one of the two original members of our family. First of all let me explain that I do call my Mom, Mother. I've done it for many years and I'm not sure why, but it might have something to do with the fact that every time Mother called me on the phone she would say, "this is your Mother." So I call her Mother, and I'm the only one in the family that does.

Mother was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. She was the fifth of seven children born to her parents. There was a girl and then three boys before my Mother, when she was born my Grandmother told my Grandfather that they had a "beautiful baby girl". She was named Lilian after her Mother, but goes by her middle name which is Beatrice.

Grandpa, Joe, Bea, Roy, John, Jean, Grandma and Bryan in the front

My Uncle John (Mother's brother) was married to my Dad's sister, he introduced my parents, and it was love at first sight. After a long distance courtship (Dad lived in England) they wanted to get married. My Grandpa wanted them to wait because there wasn't a temple in the British Isles, but a wise Mission President said, "let them get married." And so they were married on July 9, 1956. Two years later on July 10, 1958 they had a beautiful baby girl (me). When I was two months old my parents traveled to England for the dedication of the London Temple. On September 10, 1958, the day after the dedication, we were one of the first families sealed in that temple.

My Mother is a very faithful and courageous woman. In 1962 my parents came to live in America. Dad came in June to find employment so that he could earn the money to bring Mother and their three children. Mother didn't come until October. She traveled to New York by plane with three small children by herself (we were 4, 3, and 1), and then the four of us traveled across the country by train. Can you imagine their young family being an ocean apart for four months!?! Honestly, when I hear the stories of the day that Dad left Ireland and then of the night that we arrived in Salt Lake City four months later, I can't help but cry. They did all of this so that me and my siblings could have a better life.

This picture was taken just before Dad left for America; Mother holding Timothy, Lesley, Dad holding Archie

Mother is my greatest example of what a wife, mother, and grandmother should be. She serves us all unselfishly. She prays for all of us, and on our birthdays we get a special prayer on our behalf. I know that my Mother is there for me; no matter what.

Mother is a wonderful Granma (yes, that is how we spell it when referring to her). A few years ago I sat back and observed Granma enter the room at a family bridal shower. All the teenage granddaughters quickly surrounded her and were all talking to her at the same time, Granma was just like one of the girls. They love her.

Some of the girls at the beach this summer; Megan, Chelsea, Melissa, Granma, Caitlin, and Tara

One of my favorite stories about Mother is when the Princess Beatrice was born in 1988. A few days following the Princesses birth I was listening to the news when it was announced that the newborn Princess would be named Beatrice. I immediately called Mother at her office to tell her the news, she was very excited and I listened as she exclaimed to all of her friends in the office, "they've named the Princess Beatrice!! They've named the Princess Beatrice!!" She turned her attention back to me, who was still on the other end of the phone and said as she lowered her voice and with just a tinge of disgust, "why did they name her Beatrice?" As if it were the most horrible name in the world.

Mother and Dad with their six children; Lesley, Archie, Timothy, Alan, Lilian, and David in 2008

This year Mother was chosen as West Bountiful's Mother of the Year, sponsored by The Davis County Clipper. You may nominate a deserving Mother by sending a letter of 100 words or less explaining why you think she should be Mother of the Year for her community. I decided that my Mother deserved to be West Bountiful's Mother of the year and so I sent in the following letter (which is exactly 100 words):

In 1962 Mother left her homeland; Ireland, to come to America. She had three young children and two suitcases. Dad came four months previously to work and find a home in preparation for us coming. They have lived in West Bountiful since 1962. All of my Mother's posterity, forty-five of us have been blessed because of her sacrifice to leave her home and start anew. Mother loves each member of her family unconditionally and constantly serves us. She has made quilts for more than seventy friends and family. She's fun, loyal, trustworthy, a woman of faith, and she blogs!

West Bountiful's Mother of the Year surrounded by members of her family during the 4th of July parade

A few things to know about Mother: She is a gospel scholar. She is a great teacher. She is the best cook; and she bakes good things too. She served a mission to England with Dad from October 1996 to April 1998. She sews. She makes quilts. She knits. She sings with all her heart (and in Spanish). She serves in the Bountiful Temple. She can pack a suitcase better than anyone I know. If you're going on a trip to Britain, you will want her to plan your agenda. She loves to do jigsaw puzzles. She is an excellent visiting teacher. She loves to go on road trips with Dad. She thinks about others. She likes to buy duplicate pairs of shoes in different colors. She is always optimistic. She's happy and it shows. She was employed by the Church for many years. She has many friends who love her. She is understanding. She's compassionate. She is a wonderful Mother and Grandmother and Great Grandmother, and a blessing to all of her posterity, and we all love her.

My parents 50th wedding anniversary in July 2006

Mother and Dad enjoying some of their posterity at the beach this summer