NAOMI WAGSTAFF JACKSONborn February 20, 1923
Happy Birthday to Mom and Grandma.
We love you and are thinking of you even as you are living in heaven.
I wanted to do something to recognize my mother today. She was a great woman and loved by all. She was such a good example for me to follow. She was a great wife, mother, teacher, sister, and friend. I am thankful she taught me to bake bread, can fruit, cook, sew, quilt and many other skills. One of her talents that she has left us with is her writing. She wrote many poems, stories and letters. I will share one below the pictures.
I didn't have time to scan many pictures, but here's just a couple. Please feel free to leave your comments or memories of Naomi on this site.
Cadet Nurse Naomi - 1946
Naomi and Rex - 1995
Mom often sent special birthday poems to her loved ones. They meant more than the Hallmark cards. Here's a birthday poem that she sent to her father, Albert Wagstaff one year. (click on the image to enlarge.)
6 comments:
Thanks Bonnie for posting this. I have been thinking of Mom today also. I thought about going out to dinner with Verla and Dad to celebrate her birthday but I got home late from the airport. Her cards and letters expressed her thoughts better than her words. I still treasure the little book she wrote for me titled "Harold and the Big Green Truck."
I remember my own handmade stationary that she made for my birthday as well as a little cloth scrapbook with I still have. I love it!
I have never in my life had this thought but the photo of grandma as a nursing cadet... she looks like WENDY!!!
Some people speak negatively about their mother-in-law...I could NEVER do that. Mom (Naomi) always accepted me no matter what. I didn't have to work hard to have my home perfect before my mother-in-law came for a visit. She would praise me & enjoy her visit while she pitched in & WORKED & PLAYED! We always loved her visits. My kids enjoy the little things she made them: youth size aprons,baby blankets, baby doll blankets, pillow cases, and even little dolls for Rachel with faces drawn on. She loved to iron & always asked if she could iron some clothes for me...something I seldom did (or do). She LOVED the out of doors! She loved to go on walks and wished she could hike around in the hills near our home in Fairfield, but they were posted with "No Trespassing Signs"...and you Know she would never disregard such a sign.She LOVED to have her hair brushed!!! She LOVED all people and loved to do thoughtful things for them...ESPECIALLY her family. Her love of the Lord and the Gospel is still remembered by all who knew her. She let us know what she felt was important by the way she lived her life. I Love & admire her. Verla
I also loved my handmade stationary with my name on it--it was especially special to me because I could never find things at a store that said "Shara"!
When we were young kids, Grandma & Grandpa Jackson would visit us via airplane (thanks to two awesome airline-working uncles!) and so as kids, we all thought they were always IN airplanes! When an airplane would fly overhead we would yell up to the sky "HELLO GRANDMA & GRANDPA JACKSON!!"
We were so blessed to have them visit us in Tennessee as often as they could. Grandma would always take time to read stories to us, tell us bedtime stories, and share her testimony. I loved listening to her pray outloud.
I remember she loved being outside and would go on walks & bike rides with us. She would make her absolutely-delicious granola mix and we would eat it up!
I remember her with pink curlers in her hair to make her hair curly and cute. I remember being proud to sit by her when she came to church with us--this is my Grandma!
I remember one summer I got to fly out to UT with Dad and stay with Grandma & Lisa was there too! We had so much fun, and she taught us how to make a basic quilt. I still have that quilt (and, it's the only one I've made so far!).
I remember Grandma loved to work in the yard, was often serving others, and was a hard worker. She made a point to make sure we all felt of her love and testimony.
I feel so blessed to be a granddaughter!
Thanks for this post Bonnie. I was thinking of what to do on Mom's birthday. The Birthday card you posted is vintage Naomi and brings back so many memories. I guess sharing those memories is probably what would make her happiest on her birthday.
-ANDREW
(not Shara)
Naomi! I love that name and that woman. We were friends from the start...how could I NOT love the mother of my Andrew!? She brought me a care package to my apartment in front of Monson...including meat and toilet paper! When we met up at Cooke City over Memorial Day she made egg salad sandwiches for Sunday Lunch. While we were exploring the park she asked me "Do you like children?" and "Can you play the piano?" I thought it was my first interview with her. I later drew her a picture of a bear as a remembery of our time at the park.
Naomi was always a big help and she had more energy than about any other single woman I have ever known! She made the BEST APPLE DUMPLINGS! I wish I had her recipe. I am glad Ian and Naomi share a birthday! Happy Birthday to Naomi!
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