Saturday, May 10, 2008

Maureen Callister, my mom! HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!







Things not to do with my mom:
*Sing in a duet, trio, or even large choir—after a couple of laughing sessions in front of an audience, we decided it was best not to even be in the same room when one of us was singing.
*Learn how to drive a stick-shift—the first time I killed the car she went into such a laughing fit that she was no good to me the rest of the time (I didn’t laugh so much with her in this).
*Be the hugest 9 month pregnant woman around—she kept taking pictures because she was convinced that none of them showed how truly huge I really was (we both laughed at this—what else was there to do?)
*Basically, anything requiring true sobriety of countenence. (okay, slightly exaggerated)
Hee, ha, ho, hee!

Everyone seems to love my mom. She is so much fun, and she instantly makes people feel comfortable and welcome.
Mom’s house is the place where ya just go to hang out because you can be whatever you want to be—chatty, quiet, theatrical, spiritual, goofy...
There are great memories for so many people around that big kitchen table. Just slip one leg at a time over the bench, rest you elbows on the table, and enjoy talking, playing games, flipping through the ads, eating, or just thinking. It is one of those great places here on earth.

Random: Everytime I smell light blue Extra gum, I think of my mom—I especially think of hair cuts as she blew the hair out of my face with her gum breath!

My favorite consoling comment from her over the past few years, “I was way worse to you guys and you still love me.”

Mom,
I love you and grow more grateful for you each year. The further I get into motherhood the more I realize how challenging it must have been for you with 6 little kids!

I love the times when we are together and the times I spend talking to you on the phone. You are so understanding and so sweet to listen through the same concerns over and over.
I hope that today you are reminded often just how great you really are. You don’t give your mothering enough credit. You have 6 really great kids, I must say, and that requires some good raising! None of us were perfect, but we knew you loved us no matter what.
Thank you for that example!
Love and Smiles, Your daughter,
Rebekah

5 comments:

Annie and Jake Callister said...

Great Post Becky!

It was fun to see the old pictures and hear your fun memories. I feel very fortunate that I will have the chance to see Mom (Dad, Dangie and Deborah) this week.

A few things to add to your list:

Mother's shuffle step dance that she always did

Once mother approached me with her fists raised and said "stick up your dukes"...oh and she was doing the shuffle step dance as well. To this day it is one of the funniest memories I have. How do you respond to that?

We were definitely raised in a goofy household. A loving, goofy household.

Thanks Mom,

Cant wait to see you very soon!!

Jake

Josh said...

how about the way she would wake us up for school...

"It's that special time of day,
when your mother comes to say,
wake up, Wake Up, WAKE UP, you lazy boys"!!

about the blue mint gum, i remember eating a piece of freindship bread and thinking that it had just a hint of mint in it. i was very confused until i realized that moms used gum was on the counter but wasn't more!

Rachel Ure said...

that top picture of mom is sooo beautiful. you are lucky to be in it with her. the only picture that would add to the group you put together is her wig shot. )she will deny that it exists but you must see it)

Von and Maureen said...

Dear Beck and others, You areall so great with your fun comments. I truly have wonderful kids. You all turned out to be the best of the best! You are right to say that there is no perfection as of yet, but you are all working on that possibility. Make mistakes, and then do some growing from them. You are all what makes my life enjoyable and I will always travel far to get the chance to spend even a little bit of time with you. Love you !!! love you all!! Mom

me & my boyz said...

Hello, old friend. Just blog surfing and found you. Love the pictures of your mom! I always remember thinking that she was a superhero for having 6 kids. Now, I know it is true!