I have blessed so very much over the years and one of the biggest blessings in my life isn't a thing but 2 people! My Dad and Mom! This past Tuesday was their 50th Anniversary and this Saturday they will be renewing their wedding vows. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend but in Honor of them I wrote a letter that will be read to them on Saturday. I wanted to share it here. The Bible clearly teaches we are to honor our parents and to take care them. I have through the years done my best to honor my Dad and Mom not just on Fathers Day or Mothers Day but year around. So yesterday and todays combination is the letter to 2 very special people George and Jane Nofsinger my wonderful, loving Parents! If you wanted to see pictures of my parents you may visit my other blog http://7isheavenforus.blogspot.com
To Dad and Mom,
First I want to say Happy 50th!
I love you both very much and I wish that it would have worked out
for us to have attended.
Where to begin? How about 49 yrs ago
when you welcomed a blonde-haired, blue-eyed baby girl into your
home. Funny how I don't remember a lot about those early years.
(*laughing) I've heard it's been said that children don't appreciate
their parents until they become one themselves. However, I think I
would say differently in some areas. See, I know you sacrificed for
me to be in Christian school even when it would have been cheaper and
easier for me to attend public school. You made sure I was in church
and you trained and raised me to be do so much. I'm forever grateful
for you both making those sacrifices. Words aren't adequate enough to
show my appreciation.
Dad, you have done so much for me
through the years. You taught me the meaning of work. You taught me
that giving up wasn't an option. You were and are always there for
me, and now for your grandchildren. I love you daddy. Through the
good and the bad you never turned me away, you always made sure I
understood why this or that was wrong and that you weren't
disciplining me just because, but rather you were disciplining me
because you loved me. Daddy, you are my hero and always will be! I
LOVE YOU!!!
Mom, you are my listening ear, my
shoulder to cry on, my “sister” as people thought we were as I
was growing up. My friend, my confidant. You were always ready and
willing to listen to the hours of talking that I could do (*smiling)
Thank you!! You also taught me to stick it out no matter what and to
always be a friend. A friend who truly cares and wants to help
others. Mom, I don't think I'll forget that first time you said,
“Just wait till your dad gets home!” I was always excited about
daddy coming home. However, I learned really fast not to hear that
again. Although I'm sure I did (*smiling) Thank you for loving and
caring for me. I LOVE YOU!!!
Dad, do you remember the vacation we
took from NC to Oregon in the old station wagon? If I remember
correctly we were also pulling a small camper. We had stopped at a
Stucky's and because it was hot we all ordered milk shakes. Do you
remember you were wearing just as much of your milkshake as you
drank?! Mom and I laughed and laughed. Then the fun we had at Santa
Land! The heat on that trip was unbearable at times, but you made
that trip one of the most exciting trips ever.
Mom, I'll never forget returning from
the Bill Rice Ranch and you and daddy had sold our house! Oh, what a
number that does to a 11 yr old girl. Nothing like spending a day
riding the bus from camp in TN all the way to NC just to turn around
and go back to TN. The fun you and I had traveling to Chattanooga,
TN. You stuck to the Uhaul truck like glue!! I remember hanging out
the window, when you'd let me, trying to get truckers to honk.
These are just a few things of my
childhood that was memorable even though I could go on and on with
memories growing up. However, I'll skip ahead to 1986, when I
graduated from high school, and August came around and I was leaving
home for the first time. Mom, I know you cried on and off but If I
recall, Dad, you didn't do so well once I was on the plane. BUT until
then you were strong and told me I could do it, to trust in God for
everything and I would be just fine at college. I cried from
Portland, Oregon all the way to Salt Lake City, Utah. Then, from what
I was told, Grandma Moltman wouldn't let you drive and she made sure
Uncle Ron did the driving. I love all the fun and sometimes goofy
letters you would send me at college. I have almost ALL the letters
from you and momma while
I was away at college. Thank you both
for your love, care, and support through the years!!
Momma, through these years you've
been great! Talking me through the first days of being pregnant with
my first, Tabitha Jane. Being there as each of the kids were born. It
meant more than you'll ever know, knowing my mom would be there for
me. Daddy, I'll never forget you reminding me with each pregnancy to
be careful to not let the others feel deserted and to always be there
for each of the kids. I remember as if it were yesterday you saying,
“now in a few weeks this baby girl/boy's life is going to be turned
upside with the new one.” As far as I know their little worlds only
changed by adding another sibling to the mix. I did my best not to
turn their worlds upside down. Thank you for that reminder each baby
following Tabitha. I love you both!!
50 Years! Where has it gone? Well, I
know where 18 of the years went. They went into you pouring your
heart, your soul and your life into me, and I THANK YOU!!! You both
have been there when I just needed my Daddy or Momma the last 30
years.
So when I think of George and Jane
Nofsinger – I don't think, “oh they're just my parents.” No,
because they aren't JUST my parents. For you see, they are my parents
plus they are two people who through thick and thin always made sure
their daughter was loved and cared for. They are two people who love
beyond measure, not only me, but their son - in- law and five
grandchildren, now one great-granddaughter, as well as others! When I
think of these two people I see two selfless, two caring, two
wonderful, two godly people that mean the world to me and that NO
words could truly say how much I love and appreciate my DADDY and
MOMMA, George and Jane Nofsinger!
I was given a goodly heritage that I
prayerfully have passed down to my children and they too will pass
down to their children. Dad, Mom, I LOVE YOU!!!
I LOVE YOU and I will forever and
always!
Your daughter,
Paula Micheal Nofsinger Seavey
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