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Home ยป Blog ยป Another Beautiful Life

Another Beautiful Life

by Sarah Turner Clover Lane

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God asks no man whether he will accept life. 

That is not the choice. 

You must take it. 

The only question is how. 

~Henry Ward Beecher

( Ellis Island)

I found another amazing story in the obituaries today. What an incredible, inspirational life.

“Our beloved mother was lifted on angels’ wings to be reunited with our dad, Ted, the love of her life and husband of 64 years. Frances was a devoted wife and caregiver, who took loving care of her husband for 18 years, prior to his passing on November 1, 2001. She has missed him dearly and in spite of her loss, her faith and devotion to Mary, the Blessed Mother, provided her with the strength to live her life with a kind heart, grace, and laughter that touched the lives of all who knew her.


Frances, the daughter of ___, was born in Wierzbowczyk, Poland on July 24, 1921. At 19, she met our dad, Ted, a handsome, young officer, at a dance, and after a brief courtship, were married on January 28th, 1940. After only 2 weeks of marriage, the newlyweds were shipped by cattle train to Siberia and spent the next 2 years as laborers in a Russian concentration camp. Her son, Ted was born in Siberia and died at 6 months. Of the 68 families deported to Siberia in 1940, Ted and Frances were 2 of the 10 survivors. Mom believed that her First Communion prayer book sewn into the lining of her coat was the reason for our parents’ survival.


After Stalin’s declaration of Amnesty, in 1942, the young couple were separated for 6 years. Frances worked as a nurse in Africa, and Ted, a staff sergeant, served in the 2nd Polish Corp., in the Middle East and Italy. Neither knew whether the other was alive. The young couple were reunited in England in 1948.


In 1951, Frances’ cousin sponsored them to New York to begin a new life. They arrived with a 15 month old daughter, a trunk of personal possessions, and 5 dollars in Ted’s pocket. Job opportunities moved the family to Ohio, where 2 sons, John and Chet, were welcomed into the family.


Mom’s fondest memories have always been of time spent with her cherished family and friends. Mom was a wonderful cook and baker, her torts were never duplicated. She was a gifted seamstress who made all her children’s clothes. She enjoyed collecting angels, music, dancing, reading, embroidery, and making wreaths. Mom’s garden and home were always filled with flowers. After her husband’s death, she spent her time as the “master gardener” of Sunset Village. Although her physical health slowed her down she always recruited someone to plant and water “her flowers”.


Mom was currently writing a book of her memoirs. The book remains untitled and unfinished, but her memories will remain with us forever. Mom was briefly employed at UT’s Carter Hall athletic dining room. She enjoyed serving the athletes, “her boys”. She fondly told stories of the huge quantities they ate and the unusual food combinations. A couple of “her boys” paid their respects to “mom” at our father’s funeral.


We remember in our thoughts and prayers those who have predeceased our mother. Our father, Ted; her infant son; her parents; brother and 2 sisters.”


We are SO lucky to live in this country right now. I find myself “whining” about the dumbest things…can you imagine what this young mother had to do without when she moved across the world with her baby? Can you imagine the “stress” of the unknown when caring for your sweet little baby, especially after losing your first born previously? The trust you would place in your husband to provide? That incredible love between two people who went through such devastating things? No parents to rely on, just your own bootstraps? And then to come through all that, and be a loving mother and wife who appreciated the simple, beautiful things in life, like flower gardens and baking, and laughing at college kids who eat too much?

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August 24, 2009 ยท 15 Comments

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  1. No Longer 25 says

    August 24, 2009 at 4:28 pm

    Thanks for sharing this, it really puts the little things which bother us into perspective.

    Reply
  2. Mimi says

    August 24, 2009 at 4:33 pm

    By God's divine power, I ran across your blog. This post touched me so much. Not just the the lovely obit, but your words. It's easy to forget just how blessed we are, you helped me remember my blessings today. Thank you!

    Reply
  3. Bush Family says

    August 24, 2009 at 5:49 pm

    Thank you for this beautiful post…I truly needed this today and to be reminded of our blessings! After having a rough weekend, especially as a mother I am grateful for your words to bring me back down to earth – LOL!!โ™ฅ
    P.S. I love reading your blog:)

    Reply
  4. Vicki says

    August 24, 2009 at 6:06 pm

    WOW!! That brought me to tears!! Can you imagine what that woman (that couple) endured? We could never imagine it – it's so far from what we "endure"! To be apart from your husband for 6 yrs not knowing whether the other is alive or dead? To lose an infant? To travel with nothing (like you said)? Wow! What an amazing woman!!
    I agree – your post brought a lot into perspective. Wish I could wear it on my shirt to always remind me. ๐Ÿ™
    Thank you for sharing…

    Reply
  5. Amanda @ Serenity Now says

    August 24, 2009 at 6:49 pm

    What an amazing story. I can't imagine what that young mother must have been through, especially not even knowing if her husband was alive or dead. The story speaks volumes to their courage and dedication to their marriage. Thanks for sharing it. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  6. Anne says

    August 24, 2009 at 6:57 pm

    Goosebumps! Bless that woman's heart- what faith! This hits home so much- we have been working on really appreciating what we have and not always looking for something more- it seems to be a bad habit in our family.

    Reply
  7. Rebekah says

    August 24, 2009 at 7:16 pm

    Excellent post, Sarah! I have been thinking on this sort of thing a lot lately myself. What an inspiration Frances' life is, even in death!

    Reply
  8. jamie t. says

    August 24, 2009 at 8:55 pm

    Wow I loved that! It brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much for sharing and I agree that we all need to stop complaining and appreciate all we have. We are so blessed!

    Reply
  9. Christi says

    August 24, 2009 at 9:02 pm

    What a lovely post, Sarah. Thanks for sharing. I, too have decided that I've had enough of all the "woe is me". It's really not that bad. How fortunate we are!

    Reply
  10. Jodee says

    August 25, 2009 at 12:43 am

    Wow! What an amazing family! I agree — there is way too much complaining nowadays!

    Reply
  11. Heather says

    August 25, 2009 at 3:23 am

    Wow! This was a powerful post. What a wonderful woman. I admire her. It makes me more grateful for what I have and also sad that her generation will all soon be gone. They went through so much and we can definitely learn a lot from them.

    Reply
  12. Molly Betsy @ Star Cottage says

    August 25, 2009 at 4:55 am

    What an awesome post. Life got busy, and I hadn't stopped by in a while, But I am so glad I took the time to read your blog tonight. And I am so blessed you took the time to share this ๐Ÿ˜‰
    Blessings,
    Molly

    Reply
  13. Nancy says

    August 25, 2009 at 1:54 pm

    Beautiful post… I love your "say it like it is" approach. That dear, brave woman is evidence of how great our country is, still. My flag flies out in front of my home everyday in support of my brother in Iraq and my brother in law about to leave for Iraq. I am proud of them and proud to be American. I will keep this woman's story in my heart as well. Thank you… What a blessing your blog is and what a blessing to live in this great country!

    Reply
  14. jody says

    August 26, 2009 at 3:12 am

    love this post. great perspective! i'm sharing this with my husband tonight. thanks!

    Reply
  15. Susan says

    August 26, 2009 at 8:51 pm

    Thank you for this beautiful post. I am printing it to put on my refrigerator to remind me just how fortunate I really am.

    We all get down with so many of the "have-tos" and "I wants" today–I know I certainly do. The trials this brave woman faced make them all so small and unimportant. They REALLY are the "Greatest Generation."

    Thank you!

    Reply

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Sarah Turner

When our first baby was placed in my arms I knew there was no place I wanted to be other than home with him every day. Twenty five years, and five more babies later, (six children, now ages 26-8), I still feel the same. I blog here about motherhood, how to make a house a home, easy recipes, and simple living. You can read more about me here.

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Nothing pretty, flashy, or spectacular. Just an o Nothing pretty, flashy, or spectacular.  Just an ordinary Monday morning breakfast counter after the kids leave for school.  Because ordinary gets the short hand in our culture but really it's extra special. 
It's a symbol of unselfishness, contentment, prudence and gratitude.  There is a certain peace about the ordinary.  It's the opposite of temporary-it holds the joy of contentment and gratitude and prudence all in one hand.  It's lends itself toward peace, and a settling in, not a constant search for more or less or anything.  Ordinary is authentic and good enough- in short it's a gem in disguise. ๐Ÿƒ
I love my home and I hope you do also. With all t I love my home and I hope you do also.  With all the imperfections and maintenance it requires, when I pull up and walk in I want to stay, to relax, to feel safe, for daily life to be easy, and to care for "home". I want simplicity, ease, convenience.  To me when my home is simple, without being filled to the brim of things that just take up space I love it best.  I hope if you've participated fully or even partially as time allowed in 40 Bags in 40 Days you've found that joy and pride in your home.  I plan to share more little challenges and tips as the year proceeds to trouble shoot areas and keep maintenance effortless and the house love flowing.  Daily life in our homes should bring us joy and ease while we care for our families, we should be thoughtful stewards of our money and of our time and simple living is the answer to that. 
Thank you for participating! ๐Ÿก
I think this is one of the best things about the 4 I think this is one of the best things about the 40 Bag decluttering process.  When I know what I have and have removed all that I don't, it cultivates more discretion and caution about what I bring back in.  I think there is also some realization of how much money is wasted on fads, or thoughtless purchases.  It's quite eye-opening.  I've become so much more careful, and find we all take better care of things, as do my children.
The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days! I've tackle The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days!  I've tackled all the areas of my home with exception of my oldest daughter's room (not the photo)- which she is excited to work on this week.
The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean an The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean and straighten up.  And then the more enjoyable it is to actually sit in that room.  It's not a hard equation, all it takes is ruthless purging-and not just little things but larger items also.  Functional furniture is the key and very few decorative pieces especially when children are in the home, makes life so much easier. 
๐Ÿƒ
As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge I'm hearing from so many of you what a difference it has made in your appreciation of your homes, a certain contentment, and at the same time a thrill of looking in on the organized kitchen, closet and living space.  I agree!  I love purging, cleaning and organizing a space and then going back later that day just to get that wonderful sense of accomplishment.  It makes such a difference! 
๐Ÿƒ
A lighter, fresher, calmer home is the result of de-cluttering.  I even had a participant who had been planning on listing her home, start 40 Days just to get her house ready to sell, and then was so ruthless in the process and also thrilled by the results that they decided to stay put in what seemed like a new home to them.  What a savings of time, money and energy. 
๐Ÿƒ
Next week I will be talking maintenance and answer all questions! โ˜€๏ธ
Tips For Shared Kids Rooms- This bedroom has seen Tips For Shared Kids Rooms-
This bedroom has seen every configuration possible.  With kids spread out 18 years apart, I've had to be creative over the years-which I think is the key to sharing rooms.  It is all possible-I consider it a rare luxury and privilege to not have to share a room although I know that is not the norm today. 
๐Ÿƒ
I like to create a simple look with white furniture (this ends up making room transitions easier also when moving someone out and someone else in.) I also like to match bedspreads for a cohesive look. 
๐Ÿƒ
Clip on bed lights save space. 
๐Ÿƒ
A simple shared book shelf can hold a child's special books and knick knacks and if necessary can be assigned per shelf.
๐Ÿƒ
When my kids were younger I had my dad build me a large wooden roll out box for under each bed.  This held each child's toys. 
๐Ÿƒ
All clothes are kept in a closet instead of dressers to save space.
I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags progress and tips.  My excuse is the stomach flu ravaging us all here in the last week with me being the last to fall and the slowest to recover.  On top of that the weekend before I tried to roller blade (don't even ask how many steps I made it) and majorly bit it.  Thankfully I think I just sprained my arm. So I've been using one arm for nursing sick children back to health, and doing whatever cleaning and cooking and straightening I can do.  Alas, last week was a wash.  We have two weeks to go.  I'd like to continue and end on a high note.  How about you?  Even a little de-cluttering counts! Spring is in the air and I can't wait to throw open my windows and let fresh clean air circulate through my fresh clean orderly home. โ˜€๏ธ๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒฑ
Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to th Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to think that the more things they have the happier and more occupied and loved they will feel.  Nothing can replace human interaction and I've found that too many toys has the reverse affect.  They cause overwhelm-just like us - we'd rather sit in an orderly space than one filled with too many things to do and too much stuff.
โ˜€๏ธ
When it comes to kids closets here are some tips-
1. Hand me downs don't all have to be received.  Or received at all.  Be choosy and keep just what they will use and need.
2. When children are presented with too many choices, tension and acrimony can exist.  Being able to open a closet with a reasonable amount of outfits can create more peace.
3. Cultivating independence in care of clothes is easier when there is less and the space is simplified and organized. 
โ˜€๏ธ
More tips coming on the blog this week.  I am moving my blog platform so I can't make any promises - it's under construction and that's exciting!
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