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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: In-Law(s) (05/08/08)
A cold wintry day of boredom soon led to an afternoon of sledding at the Fuller farm. When the sun began to slip below the horizon we headed inside seeking out warmth for our frozen bodies. As we trooped upstairs there she was holding a tray of chocolate chip cookies. A row of mugs on the counter led us to the hot chocolate steaming upon the stove. The hot chocolate began to melt away the chill, but it was the warmth of love I felt radiating from this woman that really warmed my soul. This woman would eventually become my mother-in-law.

When Craig invited me to officially meet his parents, I had no idea I would be beginning a friendship with a remarkable lady that would take me in like a daughter and love me to pieces. I was nervous to meet his family, but at the first taste of her delicious lasagna with a side of her warm smile, I quickly felt at ease. It did not take long until I my heartstrings were attached to his entire family. They just had a closeness and love that surrounded them that I wanted to be a part of. A wonderful wife and mother that wanted the very best for her family put this closeness into place. I felt blessed to be a part of it.

My mother-in-law, Judy, played such a supportive role in my life. She was always there when we needed her, but was never intruding. She insured I had all the items I needed in the domestic department and it wasn’t long when the “Taste of Home” magazine was arriving in my mailbox. She taught me many valuable lessons about being a wife. The most important lesson I learned from her echoed from the walls of the home she had created. The love and commitment she shared with her husband spoke volumes in the lives of their children. Judy loved God and she loved her family. She displayed a simple truth that I wanted mirrored in my own home. She made her life around her family; she never tried to fit her family into her life.

Judy took on another important role with the arrival of Aleigh, our first daughter, and her first granddaughter. Our relationship now took on a little different angle – because we added a mother-to-mother dimension. She prayed me through each day of my pregnancy and once Aleigh arrived I was overwhelmed by her generosity. She loved babysitting Aleigh even toward the end when she was too weak to pick her up. She then would demand for us to pick Aleigh up and place her in her arms so she could rock & snuggle her. She spoiled Aleigh in ways only a grandma could get away with.

Every time I see one of my children bouncing with joy on their horse I will think of her. Every time I pull one of my children in the radio flyer red wagon, I will think of her. Every time I look into my children’s eyes I will think of her. Every time I think of the kind of mother I want to be, I will think of her.

***
There are many more thoughts, memories and moments that I will cherish that I had with this lady. She passed away after a courageous fight with breast cancer on January 7, 2006. I just wanted to open a window to give you a glimpse into the life of this beautiful person that influenced who I am today.
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This article has been read 957 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Esther Gellert
05/16/08
How precious to have had a mother-in-law like this. I am reminded that I should take the time to thank my MIL for all she has done and been to me before it is too late. Thankyou so much for sharing this with us.
Dee Yoder
05/17/08
What a blessing to have a mother-in-law like this one! Your account is a touching tribute to her generous spirit and love for you.
Mariane Holbrook
05/21/08
What a precious piece and what a lovely tribute. Everyone should have a relationship like this! Very good job, indeed!
Debbie Wistrom
05/21/08
Very nice, this moved me.
What a wonderful woman-what a great example she set for others.
So glad you opened that window for us.
Joy Faire Stewart
05/21/08
What a beautifully written tribute. You have been blessed by having her in your life, very touching.
Jan Ackerson
05/21/08
Thanks for sharing this. I hope you've let your husband read this--he will be quite touched.
Sara Harricharan
05/21/08
I love the example of warmth from the hot chocolate to the MIL, great job! ^_^
Pamela Kliewer 
05/21/08
What a wonderful tribute to your MIL - very well written. Thank you for sharing.
Joshua Janoski
05/22/08
What an awesome tribute to your mother-in-law. I hope that you share this story with your entire family. They all need to remember this wonderful woman.

Thank you for sharing this.