The Most Beautiful Woman I Ever Met

Once again, this is mostly taken from Cami's blog...



The most beautiful woman I ever met was my grandmother. By the time I got to know her, she was comfortable-looking, with steely gray hair that never did turn all the way white, big, round kissable cheeks, and twinkling grandma eyes. For most of her life, though, she was arguably the most beautiful woman in the world.

Dorothy Florence Brown was born on April 24th, 1925 in Alpine Utah to parents of Pioneer descent. She spent her early life deeply entrenched in the Great Depression, as her family clung together to survive against all odds. Her father had been a very wealthy sheep herder, but he lost his lands and his sheep when the banks failed, since his brothers had used both as collateral for their big houses in town. It probably wouldn't have worked out well in the end regardless of their financial state, however, because around that time there was also a big frost that killed off all the Spring lambs. He was to spend the rest of his life scratching out a living on the little bit of land they had left in town (which is now where the Elementary School sits), and working for Geneva Steel.Dot was the second of 5 children, smart, beautiful, and quiet. She contracted Rheumatic Fever when she was in the fourth grade and her parents were told she would never make it to adulthood, or if she did, she would be permanently crippled. Her Scottish grandmother made her a homemade back-brace and spent hours doing rudimentary physical therapy with her to rehabilitate her after the fever passed. She miraculously made a full recovery.She spent her childhood years playing in fields, picking berries, caring for the 3 younger children, studying hard in school, and dreaming about the big-wide world beyond the borders of her quiet mountain village.When the War came, she moved away from home (at age 17) and got a job working first in the Arms Factory and then later in the War Offices. She met a young man at a USO dance, and they corresponded regularly. He was stationed in France and Germany, and drove a tank. He was very brave, and very handsome. When the War in Europe ended, he was sent home. He came straight to Salt Lake City to meet up with his sweetheart. She was the most beautiful girl he had ever met, and he was not going to let this one get away.

They eloped to Illinois. Grandma's dad was not exited about the idea of her marrying a strange boy from outside their religion, who lived far away. Grandma was 20 so she didn't need her parents' permission to marry. Grandpa was 20, so he did. He bought her a diamond ring with the money he was payed when he was discharged. They bought a train ticket out east. They were married in August, 1945. They took their honeymoon in Chicago and Flint, Michigan. Grandma told me once that she remembers how the dining car on the train was giving free food to the GI's, so Grandpa would sneak her sandwiches so they didn't have to pay for meals on the trip. She remembers how kind everyone in the hotels were to them, how they would put flowers in their room, etc. Everyone was smitten with the handsome soldier and his beautiful, beautiful bride. She told me the hotel room in Flint was a suite with a marble bathtub and a balcony overlooking a river, and how they took a cruise up the Mississippi from Chicago. When they got back to Thompson, IL, his family threw a party for them. It was not the traditional whole-town affair, because a lot of people were suspicious of this Mormon girl from Utah. She won them over, though, with her sweet nature, quick wit, and dazzling good looks. Grandma and Grandpa were married for 24 years.

She waited for him, pregnant with their first child, as he was re-deployed (serving in California). She waited for him, pregnant again, to finish his college degree on the GI bill. Then she waited for him to finish his Master's degree, pregnant with her third and fourth children. She supported him, cared for him, kept his house clean and lovely, raised his 4 daughters, and got a college degree of her own. She worked in the Relief Society, Primary, DUP, and was the most beautiful woman in town. Their family photos look like advertisements from a catalog. In 1968, they moved to Cairo Egypt so that Grandpa could teach at the American University there. She traveled Europe, visiting France, Italy, Russia, England, and more. She taught English classes. They divorced near the end of 1969.


Grandma moved to Atascadero California and worked for the Ramona School District, as a single mom with 2 girls still at home. She taught 4th, 5th, and 6th grade. Her principal was a truly dashing older man who drove fast cars and who became totally smitten with the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. He courted her, and they married shortly after.

In nearly every photo I have of them, Grandpa is staring adoringly at Grandma, still smitten with her beauty and charm. Grandma worked for 20 years in the Ramona School District. When she retired she moved to Lake of the Pines outside of Auburn California. By this time, her beauty had faded somewhat, but had matured into a face that I rarely saw frowning. Her eyes always, always twinkled. This is the grandma I came to know and love so well. Together she and her sweetie battled cancer when she was diagnosed in the late 80's and again in the late 90's. They fought tirelessly against Alzheimer's when Grandpa was diagnosed in 2002. They clung to each other for strength and support. Shortly before Gil died in October of 2009, she made him promise that he would come back for her. They still had more work to do together.

I didn't know my grandma as well as some of her other grandchildren. I lived in Texas most of my childhood, with my dad and my step-mom. We always visited her, though, on Christmas and the 4th of July, and she always sent me cards, letters, and photos. This summer Grandma was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. She passed away from heart failure on Friday morning. I was in Idaho for my Step-mom's funeral. I will always be grateful that I came to see her one last time, less than 2 weeks before her passing. While I sat next to her in her favorite armchair, she recounted to me several stories I have heard all of my life and several new ones. She reminded me that she has always thought of Cami and I as Snow White and Rose Red and even wanted some of the fairy tale read to her.

I know for certain that she is with her beloved Gil again, and that they are anxiously engaged in good works. The hallmarks of her life were her dedication to family, tradition, culture, and beauty. She radiated class and style, and truly lit up any room she entered. She could spin a story, captivate an audience, and command a crowd. She loved entertaining and would spend hours talking about the old times, impersonating perfectly the old folks from Alpine. She spoke in a sing-song voice, which was frequently punctuated by laughter and actual song. Her eyes always sparkled, like the myriad jewels she always wore. She was laughter, flowers, perfume, music, and glitter. I will miss her greatly. She was my hero, and the most beautiful woman I ever met.

Dorothy Florence Brown Nihart

April 24, 1925 - October 15, 2010

Linda Grace Streeper

A lot of this post is a copy from my sister's blog (with some changed details) since we all know she's better at the words thing than me, especially when emotions are involved because I just turn into a blubbering, snotty mess when I try to express myself and she does is so perfectly.

For most of my life, the last 20 years at least, I have had two moms. When I was 4, my parents divorced. My mom got re-married soon after I turned 5 to my wonderful step-dad Bob. My dad stayed single for a while longer. About a year and a half after the divorce, he married Linda, who brought along with her 7 children from her first husband.
Due to a very complicated and completely unnecessary series of events, I ended up growing up primarily with Dad, Linda, and her kids. I love my mom, so very much. But I also love my step-mom, too. She was easily one of the strongest figures in my childhood.
My mother taught me to appreciate beauty. She taught me the names of all the plants and flowers. She encouraged and nurtured my artistic side. She taught me the value of laughter. She taught me the importance of music, and the importance of kindness. She taught me to value family and tradition.
My step mother taught me most everything else there is to know. She ran a tight ship, and expected nothing but the very best from me and everyone else. She never gave anyone the run-around. She hated falseness, and pretenses, and loved people like her who would tell it just like it was.
She taught me to work hard, and not to make excuses for myself or my failures. She taught me how to be honest. She taught me how to stand up for myself. She taught me how to call someone on their B.S. She taught me to never quit. She taught me how to fight my own battles. She taught me how to cook. She taught me how to keep a house so clean you could eat off the floors. She taught me how to arrange flowers. She taught me how to balance a check book. She taught me how to keep a poker face and how to make "the eye". She taught me how to be in charge and step-up when leadership was needed. She taught me the value of hand-made, and the urgency of adding chocolate chips to everything. She taught me the importance of the little things. She taught me how to plan and save for my future. She taught me how to stay on task. She taught me that when life deals you a crummy hand, sometimes cleaning up will really make you feel better. And if that doesn't work, shopping and ice cream will.
She was by no means perfect, but I honestly believe that she was given some tough breaks in her life and did the very best with what she had. She taught me that, too... how to make do with what you get. She was an example to everyone of how to be a step-mother, including the fact that it's possible to love your step-kids like they're your own. She taught me that sometimes when you love someone enough it's okay to be in the background, as long as you get to stay in the picture somehow.

My dad and my step-mom got divorced a few months before I got married. I never really got to the point where I felt comfortable being close to her again, because for some reason it felt treasonous, but I never stopped loving her or missing her, or silently resenting the fact that we couldn't be close like we were before because despite the legalities of the situation, I will always consider her to be my mom and her children to be my brothers and sisters. It's tricky, and it's complicated, but it makes sense to me so I don't care if it makes sense to anyone else. We kept in touch from a distance (email and christmas cards), but I was never able to attend the family activities I was invited to due to money or once I had had surgery 2 days before. I will always regret that. I will always wish I had tried harder or gone despite the meager balance in our bank account.

Three years ago or so, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a double masectomy and went through multiple rounds of chemo. She was in remission for a while, but then it returned with a vengeance. She died Sunday night in her home, surrounded by her children. She didn't feel any pain. The official cause of death, I believe, was liver failure, although the cancer had spread to so much of her body that in the end, she seemed to be more cancer than healthy tissue.
I received an email from my dad on Sunday afternoon letting us know that the end was near. It was not enough time for me to say goodbye but I like to think that she knew me enough and loved me enough to understand my feelings for her.
I love her so much, and I will miss her so much, but I'm grateful for the plan of salvation. I don't know how my tricky, messed-up family is going to be sorted out in the end, but I know I will see her again, and that families, no matter how complicated, really are forever.

Linda Grace Streeper June 7, 1952-October 11, 2010

3 Peaks Challenge

This Thursday Brent is leaving work early (with 17 other members of his team) and taking a train up to Yorkshire, in the north, for a "team building and fund raising" adventure. They will be climbing the 3 tallest peaks in the Yorkshire Dales to challenge themselves physically, build team unity and raise funds for Zurich Community Trust, which partners with 6 different national charities (Marie Curie Cancer Care, NSPCC-ChildLine, Canine Partners, Calvert Trust, Hope and Homes for Children and the Foundation for Conductive Education).

This is a description of the hike as written by one of Brent's team members "The route takes us over 3 of the tallest peaks in the Yorkshire Dales - Penyghent (694m), Whernside (736m) and Ingleborough (723m) - covering a distance of around 25 miles which we hope to complete in 12 hours. That is a long way, and will feel even longer as this includes an awful lot of up and downs along the route."

Sounds pretty rough to me but Brent is up for it and excited to get some fresh air, exercise and a free day off from work. We've purchased his hiking boots, proper hiking trousers, socks, powerbars and electrolyte drinks. All that's left is to raise a little money. They are currently at 65% of their goal and Brent asked me to post this blog as his way of helping. So, if you are able and wanting, here is the link to support my hubby. I imagine when he gets home on Saturday afternoon he will be more than beat so it will be nice for him to know it was for a good cause and that he helped contribute.

Thanks!

I *need* one of these!

Came across this lil' beauty while I was cruising around prudentbaby.com the other day. I think it just jumped ahead of KitchenAid mixer and new vacuum on my "need" list...

Bias Tape Maker from Jaime Curtis on Vimeo.