By Anna Donner
While she was ironing you could hear the joy in her voice as she sang her favorite song, Beautiful Katy. This lady with the unusual name Thekla, so unassuming and talented.
A Mother of three who did what she had to do, from setting waves, the style of the day, to doing her share for the “war effort” as she was a “Rosie the Riveter.”
At about 12 years old waiting to catch the bus for school, I didn’t realize my Mother was watching and she gave me my most life valuing lesson: Hold your head up
As she laid newspaper on the floor to cut out a pattern to make me a dress I realized I would be able to make what I needed and to always use what I had.
When she dressed to go out she asked me to check to make sure her slip was not showing. Must be important, and made me feel important to make that decision.
She taught me to first iron hankies, then on to pillow cases, next came large table cloths. I knew I had to do a good job on each to advance on to the next.
In my childhood we didn’t wear long pants and so Mom taught me it was important when I sit down to always sit like a lady withy my knees together.
In observing my Mothers actions and reactions to those and situations around, I learned to read others and situations to make the right decision.
Because of her creativity I can make a Merry go round birthday cake, an Easter cake with about 8 bunnies standing around it. I value and now have her recipe box.
She guided me to find contentment in simple things such as looking through a suitcase full of family photos (I can still see them), her box of needed salvaged buttons.
A garden was important, flowers as well as vegetables. I still plant nasturtium.
Red potatoes were a garden staple. Learning to plant correctly was necessary; the best part was digging them up slipping my fingers into the soft dirt and finding the gifts.
It was important to keep money safe, and so when I went some place and needed to take money, she would tie the coins in the corner of a hankie, and I would hold tight.
I learned from my Mother the need for medicine was important, but along with that the much need care, loving and comforting touch of a Mother.
Inventiveness was one of my Mothers most precious traits. She was never afraid to try something new and different, following her path opened many new areas for me.
I learned the importance of getting the day off to a good start, so continued her morning call for our children and now it continues to the next generation.
When I would help her wash our clothes with the ringer wash machine, she would caution me to take care and not catch my hand in the ringer, and I never did.
Once she put me in the position to learn how to be confidential asking me my opinion about something that was her decision. Made me realize life is not always easy.
When I became aware of the adversities in her life, what I observed taught me that I had choices.
Enjoying “Hippy Hop to the Barber Shop” playing in the snow, the afternoon primping taught me to take time for fun and caring with our children.
During my childhood possessions were few, Mother recognized the need for self identification, an orange crate with a dish towel became my dresser.
With a life of uncertainty, sadness and less then desired, she left me with what I needed to have a full and loving life
Her caring way of waking us to start our day right, I can still hear her say, “The sun is shining and the birdies are singing.”
