My heart is sad today. This morning at 5:30 the world lost a wonderful mother, wife, friend, servant, leader, teacher, coach, & judge. I am so sad she is no longer here with us; I will miss you for the rest of my life. I am so happy she is no longer in pain and she’s celebrating with Jesus. It brings me joy to know that we will see her again someday soon and spend eternity rejoicing and praising Him. I am so happy that she has been restored to new and her body feels young again…I bet she’s doing cartwheels, back flips and handsprings right now all over Heaven. Next time we have thunder, I am sure that’s her.
As much as we all wanted and needed her here with us, Jesus needed her in Heaven more. He probably decided it was about time Heaven got a gymnastics team (the Heavenly Tumblers maybe? hehe) so obviously He wanted the best coach and judge for the job; that is my mom.
My mom was an amazing woman; she was so kind, gentle, patient and wonderful. I am so amazed at her patience; after how wild us three kids were when we were little I am surprised she remained so patient all those years. Not many people liked watching us because we were all so hyper; yet she remained so calm all those years. She was the most amazing gymnastics coach and judge, swim teacher, teacher, and cheerleader for Jeremy, Sarah and I. She had such a special personality that made everyone feel at ease when they were around her.
She was always so proud of us three kids in whatever we did. She would get so happy when we got A’s in school or best times in swimming. She was always there cheering us on at swim meets, soccer games, ballet recitals, and track meets. She was almost always the first one to give us a hug after a race at a swim meet.
She was the most amazing mom. She helped me so much my first three years in college trying to figure out all my classes and scholarship stuff. She would surprise me before I left for school with coffee drinks from Human Bean or Starbucks or yummy lunches after I got home from school. I had so much fun going shopping with her; she’d always laugh when I wanted to buy shoes or another sweater, purse or scarf. Apparently someone can own too many of those; who knew. Over the years here were many nights each week we would stay up and watch our shows together or as a family; The West Wing, Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, The Big Bang Theory, Psych, Monk, and many more. Every time I watch an episode I’ll think of you. Every time I buy shoes, a scarf or purse I’ll think of you laughing at me and saying something like ‘Does someone really need that many? You only wear one at a time.’ Every time I drink a caramel macchiato from Starbucks I’ll think of you. Every time I wear the color red I’ll think of you. Every time I go to the coast, the zoo or the aquariam I’ll think of you. Every time I pass that one mountain on I5 where the mountain goats live I’ll think of you and the many many times growing up you’d have us all look out the window and search for those little goats. Every time I go to a gymnastics meet I’ll think of you and your amazing dedication to that sport for the last 30+ years.
I can’t wait until I have kids of my own and I can tell them all about their wonderful Grandmother who would have loved to meet them. I’ll tell them all about the wonderful times we had growing up. My first daughter will be named after you, Hilarie Lynne, the most amazing mom ever. Her name will be Emalynne Hilarie Rose. I hope our brown eyes will carry on to her, so every time I look in her eyes I’ll think of you and your peaceful brown eyes.
I love you mommy and I’ll never forget you. You will be my own special guardian angel watching over me. Don't worry about us down here; we will all get by. We have family and friends who love you and us very much and will be here when we need them. I have my Judy mommy and my Vicky mommy too; they can never replace you and your place in my heart, but I know they will do the best mothering they can.
Some of my favorite memories:
-Growing we spent many times driving up and down I5 going to swim meets, soccer games, Portland, and the coast. Every time we’d pass a field full of animals, whether it was horses, sheep, cows, etc, you’d have all look for a baby animal. We all scream and get so excited if we found a baby.
-My senior year I so badly wanted an iPod but my you and dad wouldn’t buy me one. High School swimming districts was coming up so you told me if I won one of my races you’d give me some money to help pay for my iPod; you told me I couldn’t tell dad though. Lol. I won my 100 freestyle race and you kept your word; I got my iPod.
-I love how you were always there cheering us on at swim meets; you were almost always the first one to give us a hug after a race. Whenever I swam backstroke and was put in the first or last lane, you were always walking right alongside me cheering me on and smiling your wonderful smile.
-I remember all of our many adventures with the Durkee’s, whether those adventures where here in the valley, in Portland, at the coast, or down at the Copco Lake cabin, you always loved spending time with our whole 'family' together.
-I remember our many Christmas and birthday celebrations with all the Selland’s and Durkee’s. Our family has grown a lot since we moved to the valley when I was a baby; it started with 3 Selland’s and 5 Durkee’s now we have 5 Selland’s and 12 Durkee’s and our ‘family’ will only continue to grow. You have the best view now; you get to see it all from Heaven.
-I remember you teaching me how to drive. I got so traumatized that first time trying to drive the van so we decided the Saturn was easier to learn on. Every time I’d drive with you in the passenger seat you’d unknowingly pretend you had a brake pedal over on your side. I’d get so annoyed with you slamming your foot down acting like you were trying to brake if I didn’t slow down fast enough but every time we’d laugh about it.
-You always would make fun of me for asking my silly, stupid questions. I am going to miss that.
-I will always remember the funny stories that Amanda, Angela and Audra tell of when I was younger and they would babysit me. They have such great stories of you.
-I will always remember the funny stories that Amanda, Angela and Audra tell of when I was younger and they would babysit me. They have such great stories of you.
