My mom is now 93.5 years strong.
She was the quintessential farm wife, keeping the home fires burning while keeping two mischievious and inquisitive boys from burning down the house.
She cooked big midday meals in between growing a garden and plucking chickens. She did piles of laundry and then ironed all the tablecloths, pillowcases, dishtowels, handkerchiefs and anything else that was flat. She encouraged her three daughters to design their own clothes and then bought the fabric and sewed it up just right (including prom and wedding dresses). She budgeted the small amount of farm income while providing wonderful birthdays and holidays, not to mention the most amazing Christmases. AND she was the constant companion to her equally hardworking husband. The list goes on and on, and I don’t know how she managed to do it all. Oh, and did I mention that she worked as a bookkeeper for several businessmen in the area?
She raised five children.
She was an attentive sister to three siblings. She was a loving and dedicated daughter.
She gathered her big extended family together each year for a Labor Day reunion.
And yet somehow in the middle of that very busy life, she managed in a 2-year period in her early 70’s to write the histories of her mother, her father, her grandmother, herself, and the Bronson, Lyon, and Wilcox families.
After dad died in 2002, she added to the history she had encouraged him to write and had it printed for all of us. She wrote seven books in all, beautifully written and including pictures and documents. This is what I call leaving a legacy!
What does she do now?
She blesses teenage girls with her musical talents and her love.
She serves and cares for her neighbors, crochets beautiful gifts, still makes bread every week, and is the matriarch and example to her family of 75+.
Mom is not one of those people who will be forgotten. She has created a lasting legacy, not only in what she has accomplished, but in who she really is.
Thank you,.Connie! I loved this! Your mom is one of the most wonderful people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing! a day doesn’t go by that I dont remember something she said or the fun I had spending time with her! I will remember her always with fondnes and love!. Chris
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Oh, Chris, that is so sweet. I know she feels the same about you. This was the easiest blog post I have ever written – I didn’t even edit.
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Connie what a beautiful tribute to your mother . I wish I knew her better… I wish I would have gotten to know all of you better, but what I do know of you I’m so grateful for and I’m proud to be a Bronson .
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Thanks Lynda. Those childhood ties stayed intact. I always wonder what life would have been had your dad not been taken so early. But family remains family – it’s all we’ve got.
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I’m teary. Happy to be a part of a great family. This was tender mom. Love you!
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Easiest post I have ever written!
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Ditto!!!! Thanks for saying it so beautifully for all of us .
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