As the Great Northern train had just pulled into Williston, North Dakota from Toledo, Ohio, I had just come from an overnight journey to meet my new family.   I was 13 years old at the time and my dad, Dewey was out of town working so my new mom would be meeting me at the train station to pick me up. 

 I was nervous and excited at the same time, as I had always been an only child and was trying to be so patient to finally meet my new family.  As I walked down the steps of the train and looked up, I saw this tall beautiful woman in a long red corduroy jacket, with dark curly hair and the most gorgeous blue eyes, holding a picture, which would be a picture of me.  She asked, "Are you Dee"?  A man standing next to her, who I recognized as Tom Davidson, my dad's long time friend, had come along to pick me up said, "that's Dee alright".

 I finally had arrived and we drove home, where I met my new siblings, Steve who was 5yrs old, Penny, 4years old and Al, the baby at 18 months.  Let the excitement begin in my life!  
 This wonderful Mother, became the Angel in my life, and was such a wonderful grandmother to all of our family and so there are many special memories I hold dear to my heart and will cherish forever.

I, too, remember her most from Blacktail, but also from the eye clinic. She told great stories about Dad and Steve.  She used to tuck me in the little cabin bedroom when it got dark so that the 'grownups' could still visit while us kids went to bed. 

I celebrated a birthday two months ago. One thing that was really starting to frustrate Mom was that she couldn't really go out shopping on her own. I was always with her - so how was she supposed to buy a card - or a gift for me?

Well, I guess she decided she would just have to give me some money......and WRITE HER OWN CARD! This is my birthday message (it came with cash$), authored by my Mother - two months ago: More precious than anything Hallmark has ever written.


Just a little bit of something,
For you to get a "thing".
Just a little - but maybe just enough,
To buy a little BLING!

Not a great BIG blingy thing,
Not a 2 pound diamond ring,
Not a cluster of rubies and emeralds,
Just a little bit of BLING!

If you would let me take my car,
and visit stores and such,
You'd find that I'd know what to buy,
and never spend too much.

And then, if after all of this
you feel you want some more...
Just hop into that car again,
and go to the Dollar Store$$

So Happy Birthday, Sunshine Girl,
(you are my only one)
Now let’s make sure you're not too old,
To have a little fun!


Love You,

Mom        (copyright - 2013)