Dear Marilyn, It's valentines day today- a day when we think about the ones we love. Since you and Janet had your first birthday the day before, Mom, Susan, and I made you each a heart-shaped cake frosted with whipped cream. You sat in your highchairs with the cakes on the trays, looking at them with unbelieving ,wide-open eyes. Then you dug in with both hands, enjoying the unimpeded new experience. The Winterbergs from next door had been invited to witness this spectacle with us. We did share in your joy by having a bite or two. This was a birthday to remember! (Added note: you both had chicken pox.)

My dear Marilyn,
Not a day goes by that I do not think of you. The day you passed was the end of your long struggle, but my sadness doesn't end. I've loved you so much since the first day I saw you. Mom was in bed and you and Janet were in cradles at the end of the bed. I was allowed to hold you, very special for a six-year-old. I helped care for you until Mom was up and around. You are still so special to me! Love, Margie

Dearest Marilyn, Yesterday, on your birthday, I called Janet and we had a great visit. After we spoke I sat and wished I could call you and catch up- a happy dream-like wish. But I am here with memories of you as a little girl, a teenager, a woman, and a mother. I scour the years in my mind and grab snippets of your life to treasure in my mind. One is actually quite surprising considering your love of horses. Our family went to a homecoming parade when you and Janet were about two years old. You were so excited until the horses came on the scene. You and Janet began to scream from fear and hid behind Mom and Dad. This was obviously a horrific moment for you, so we went home. Go figure, you, afraid of horses!

My Dear Sister Marilyn,
Every day brings thoughts of you, pictures in my mind of usual days and special times. Choosing a memory to capture today isn't difficult. 

Before you were married when we made visits to Mom and Dad you would place our little John on a blanket and pull it around the house, each time deciding on a destination. After many of these "trips" the most popular place to go became Siberia. John still , at 48 years old, remembers these rides as "Going to Siberia". What a fun Aunt you were!

Happy Birthday! February 13, 1951

Marilyn, I am now 71 years old. Woooo...those days have passed so fast. I am thinking of you on our birthday. We shared heart valentine cakes with pink or white frosting and sprinkled with red hot hearts. This last month I have been watching many YouTube videos about the work of horse "join-up" with Monty Roberts. I even purchased VIP tickets about 13 years ago when he came to Fresno State University in the equine department and showed his amazing training methods in learning the equine language which he named, Equus. It was an amazing experience to see his work in person. You would have loved his use of absolutely NO VIOLENCE in any of his work with horses. Watch one of his join-up videos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYtTz9GtAT4 Many horse trainers would not believe or use his ideas. THEN... Queen Elizabeth heard about his work with horses and had Monty travel to England inviting Monty to come and work with all of her horses. His work was effective immediately. Then... others began to listen. His first book about his life is called The Man Who Listens to Horses. Anyone reading this post, please read.  I studied his work just because your horses would have loved his method. He can take a wild, high-strung horse who has never before been handled and persuade that horse to accept a bridle, saddle, and rider in thirty minutes. His powers may seem like magic, but his amazing “horse sense” is based on a lifetime of experience. In The Man Who Listens to Horses, Roberts reveals his unforgettable personal story and his exceptional insight into nonverbal communication, an understanding that applies to human relationships as well. He shows that between parent and child, employee and employer, abuser and abused, there are forms of communication far stronger than the spoken word that is accessible to all who will learn to listen. Monty was severely abused by his father who was a horse trainer and called Monty names for using the Equus language. He was even thrown out of the Cowboys' Hall of Fame. He never gave up and at 87 years old, he still trains others. His farm is near Santa Barbara, Flag Is Up Farms. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7tb1dKx73Q Bruce and I visited and strolled through the barns and pastures looking at his famous horse, the mustang, Shy Boy. I had a chance to chat with his daughter online as well. https://youtu.be/Y0QF5rq8htI
Thank you, Monty Roberts. Marilyn would have loved you so much. Love, Janet Adams

Hi Marilyn... 10 years ago I received a call from your health provider that you had passed away. I stood by the trailer and thought how much I loved you. I was loading up our travel trailer to visit Paso Robles. Memory:  You and your horse riding friends passed through Paso many times as you were all pulling horse trailers full of hay, tack, and ready for daily trail rides through Montana de Oro State Park. Bruce and I enjoy visiting there to bird and ride our bikes on the trails near the seashore cliffs. Many birders absolutely love the campground that has corrals for campers with horses and you stayed many times. Somehow rare birds are reported at that campground on eBird. One day Bruce and I drove over to your beloved campground and walked around thinking of you with Jed and Travis. Now, I drive that road many times when we are camping at Morro Bay State Park just a few miles down Los Osos Valley Road toward the cutoff to Montana de Oro. Your eternal home now is amazing. I love to read the passage in Revelation 21... A new earth is coming! We will all see each other then. "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”  I love you, Marilyn. Thank you for sharing our lives together. 

Dear Marilyn, I long to relive times in our lives which were filled with excitement and joy- such as Christmas Eve, birthdays, camping in Yosemite, rafting at the slough, picking wild blackberries. My memories of these times with you are still colored with the adventurous happiness of the days they occurred. You stand out in each one, my dear sister, as if it were yesterday. I love you,
Margie

 Because I was no longer home after you were twelve or so my fondest memories are of your early childhood- especially when you were a toddler. It was fun, interesting, and frustrating to be a big sister to such a cute, sweet, curly-haired little girl. I remember you and Janet, at about 18 months old, sitting in your twins stroller, side-by-side and you were pulling Janet's hair and laughing. I ran to stop you and you giggled as you hesitated to let up on the torture of your sister. I have many memories of you dragging your favorite pillow around and never sleeping without it. Memories flood my mind when I think of you, which is often, even after these many years. I have loved you since the day you were born. Happy Birthday dear sister. I miss you. Love, Margie

Hi Marilyn,
Today is our birthday! Happy Birthday dear twin sister. I was camping near one of your favorite places. I enjoyed hearing your horseback riding adventures at Montana de Oro. Many times as we visit the cliffs horse trailers are parked in pullouts. You loved the trail rides there. I camped in our trailer at Morro Bay State Park this last week. Bruce and I ride our bikes on a trail from SLO to Avila Beach. Beautiful trail with moms and strollers, dogs and joggers. We love this quaint cafe situated right in the middle of the trail. Of course we stop and have coffee and a roll. This week we ride up to the San Luis Inn. The view of the Pacific was stunning. Today, Travis was born.  What a great son you raised. His family is awesome and with great joy they moved into the home you built on 13th. The house is full of family noise and animals outside too. I miss you so much. Love Janet. Twins forever.

When I think of you Marilyn
I remember your smile.
It brightened the room you were in,
And echoed the sparkle in your eyes.
In your heart you wished, wished-
For brightness and calm, back then.
But now you have the time of ages
To bask in the Light of eternity.
I love you. Your sister, Margie

Hi Marilyn,
Happy Birthday! The weather was beautiful today and a perfect time to saddle up Rusty and Spinner and ride down the cotton field lane. We had so many fun conversations during those hour-long rides.  Spinner was always skittish with every leaf or sound but you rode him well.  I love the sound of the saddle squeaking underneath and the bob of the horse's head as we rode during the dusk of the day. I will be volunteering my time at a horse ranch this year that provides therapy horses for children and adults. Horses have an amazing gift providing a unique set of attributes that bring healing to the hurting. Horseback riding makes them braver, stronger and it gives the child freedom. For people with emotional and physical needs, being on horseback is life-changing. Providing freedom and empowerment, the horse is widely recognized as a powerful tool in therapy. So in honor of you, Marilyn, I want to help others through horse therapy. You are missed... Love Janet

Dearest Marilyn,
I clearly remember the day you and Janet were born. As your eldest sister I could hardly wait to see my two baby girls. As it turned out I had to wait two weeks but it was worth my patience because holding you for the first time was one of the most memorable events of my life. I was only six but that experience is still as vivid as if it had happened yesterday. I wish I could hug you today to wish you Happy Birthday! Love, Margie

I just sent sa Hsppy Birthday text to your twin. I wonder if we would text and share pictures of our lives? I would hope that we would keep in touch, visit, and laugh about the days at the cabin, stick horses, playing business.. and share stories about family and vacations... I miss you, dear Cousin.

Dear Marilyn,
Every day, sometime during the duties and joys of my life, I think of you and wish we had lived closer as adults. Your life gave me joy and your efforts as a mother gave the world your two wonderful sons and four beautiful grandchildren. I miss you and the opportunities to know you in your later years. I love you.
Margie

Hi Marilyn,
Today marks 8 years that you traveled to the eternal arms of Jesus Christ. We were on our way to Paso Robles when I heard about it.  As we were packing up this very day to a Central Coast visit, I was reminded of your anniversary.  GREAT VERSE FOR US.
“You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139:3-8 NLT
Miss you as only a twin can,
Love Janet

My Dear Marilyn,
Your first birthday with Janet was memorable to me because the two of you, when your heart-shaped cakes were place before you, beamed with excitement. You and Janet dove into the whipped cream frosting as if you had received new toys. After 30 seconds your faces were covered with cream as well as smiles and laughter.  Also, you both had Chicken Pox, so the spots on your faces added something extra. I love you!
Margie

Dearest Marilyn,
My first Christmas memory of you is when you were standing in front of the Christmas tree with Janet. You both were wearing flannel pajamas sewn by Grandma. (I remember she made us pajamas every year and they were big enough to last a whole year.) Yours were rolled up to fit because, of course, the pants were to long; the arms were rolled up too. I always smile when I think of you as the little girl in the Christmas PJ's. I love you.

My dear Marilyn,
I am a little slow in posting a thought about you on your birthday but I have thoughts about you multiple times a day, so I will share one of those.I remember a family film Dad made of us sisters while we were waiting for our wading pool to fill on a hot summer day. You were about 18 months old and you were jumping up and down with excitement. You suddenly turned around and gave a big dimpled smile to the camera. The image of that smile could make the saddest soul happy. I love you forever. Margie

Dearest Marilyn,
The memories as your eldest sister ripple through my mind every day, pooling in my heart where I can feel each one. I love you and thank you for being part of my life.
Margie

Hi Marilyn, I wanted to let you know that I miss you. Yesterday, I was petting a beautiful quarter horse ridden by a sheriff from the Fresno County Search and Rescue. Honestly, that horse was the color, height, and personality of our horse, Rusty. Rusty was well cared for by the both of us and as well, her offspring Spinner was a crazy fun, Morgan. So, I reached out and gave this horse a long hard pat then smelled my hand and loved the memories that faint scent brought back. The sheriff smiled at me and I expressed that I will always love that smell.  Marilyn, we would ride together for hours. Our conversations were usually about our hopes and dreams along with our current struggles in school. I still would like to own two horses and ride in the countryside or mountain trails. I visit Montana de Oro, Sequoia, Yosemite, and the high Sierras often and when I pass the horse camps or the sign of the trails you would ride with your friends, I smile. You were so excited to haul your horses up those trails and loved the excitement of camping with Jed and Travis and friends. Once, at Montana de Oro a rattlesnake was under a log near your campfire, a bear broke into your truck for food at Hume Lake, and you shared with me that your horse tripped and rolled off the embankment with you on it on a coastal trail. The bushes kept both you and your mount from rolling all the way down. You loved it and was always ready to go back. Hey, I love those places too. I actually visit the coast or mountains once a month. I hike for miles amongst the pine trees or coastal mountains and the smell, the breeze, my love of nature, and God remind me of how good He has been to the both of us. I love you, Janet

My dear little Marilyn,
To me you will always seem like that little girl who was scared to death of horses and dogs. As the latest posted pictures show, you got over that to become a great horsewoman and a dog lover. I can still remember your idol, Roy Rogers, and how I ordered an autographed photo for you and Janet. My memories of your childhood are very dear to me and will always lie deep in my heart. I love you. Margie

My sweet Marilyn,
I can't believe you have been gone a while but I know you are safely with the Lord and are completely whole again. I can't imagine what your must be experiencing but I look forward to seeing you again. I think of you every day and wish we could have had more time together as adults. I love you forever.
Margie

Hi Marilyn,

Thank you for being my very best friend. You left to be with our Lord Jesus Christ five years ago. I know that you are in an amazing place. I have been reading a book called, Imagine Heaven by John Burke with scripture references. Wow, no time, lots of friends, beautiful scenery, light that never ends, and love that is endless. About Jesus: "When I saw Him, I fell at his feet if I were dead. Be he laid his right hand on me and said, "Don't be afraid! I am the First and the Last, I am the living one. I died, but look - I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave." Revelations 1:9-18 Marilyn, we will be with each other for eternity. So...I continue to live a life here on earth with great joy and praise to a wonderful Father. He truly is a great Father. 

Love, your twin sister, Janet Adams

Hi Marilyn, Happy birthday and Happy Valentine's Day 2016. We are now legal for not only a car license, and a vote in this year's presidential election, but now we can receive Social Security and Medicare!! I miss you and would love to have a cup of coffee and chat about anything. I have been sharing with one of my granddaughters, now 4, a very special TV show we loved. Avie and I watch the old Roy Rodgers TV show on YouTube. ( it's a place in the cloud that archives videos) Trying to explain cowboys, bad guys/good guys, Trigger, Bullet, Nellie Bell, the jeep, and of course Dale Evans has been a joy. She asks me all kinds of questions during the 1/2 hour show. I try to express how special Trigger was to Roy. I believe I have her hooked. But really that was our favorite cowboy show and I love how simple it was. As always, Happy Trails To You Until We Meet Again!!
Love Janet.

Dearest Marilyn,
What can I say to you on your birthday but that I love you and miss you. We can catch up someday when we meet again but for now you are in my heart.
Love,
Margie

My dear Marilyn,
A day never passes that I don't think of you. You were twelve years old when I went away to college and I missed the last years of your childhood but you grew up anyway and became a beautiful person with two wonderful sons. I wish we could have seen each other more often but the times we did get together were special. I know you are in a wonderful place now and I look forward to seeing your smile and feeling a hug from you again. I love you.
Margie

Hi Marilyn, I miss you and think about you often. We had quite a grand time together growing up in Hanford. You would love all the new technology that has changed the way we communicate and do business. It is so much fun. You loved your first computer and understood how to use it for accounting. I was lost when you explained how easy it was compared to writing in ledgers. I love you and say a big hello to all our family and friends in heaven. Love, Janet

Happy Birthday Marilyn,

I miss you as always and love looking back to our lives we shared together. Now, I have lots of candles on my cake and so do you. Many memories of joy, laughter, sharing, and of course cooking together. You would love Pinterest. No more cutting out recipes... just "pin" away and this thing called an app saves your favorites somewhere in the CLOUD. I love you tons. Happy happy birthday Marilyn.
Janet Schumacher Adams

Flashlights in the dark, whispers and giggles, HORSES! Love always, Lisa

Hi, Marilyn. I miss you! Today I sent a Happy Birthday to Janet, and I want to wish the same to you. I think of you often, and love remembering our growing-up years with your sisters. I miss your mom and Dad, too, and just wish we could set the table for one more Thanksgiving together, you know? I spent some time with Susie and Janet a few months ago, just sitting and talking. We hope to get together again, and Marilyn, when we do, YOU will be there with us. I am so glad the Lord blessed us with YOU, and now keeps you safe.

Marilyn, I remember the day you and Janet were born, one of the best days of my life. I watched you grow from darling baby to sweet little girl to beautiful, energetic woman. A day does not go by when I don't think of you and wish you could be with your family and experience all the family members who have been born in the past years and would love to know their Grandma and Aunt Marilyn. I'll love you forever. Margie

Marilyn, tomorrow is our birthday!! We shared our celebration along with Valentines Day so mom baked two heart-shaped cakes. One for each of us. One birthday we had dad drive us both to Fresno to a horse tack shop and selected a nice breast collar to attach to one of our saddles. We rode in style!
Jed and Travis are great sons. You would be so happy with their families. 
I love you!
Janet Schumacher Adams

Marilyn, I miss you. You were my best friend. I think of you often while I drive to work and think of our life together as children, young adults, and adults raising our children. Yesterday it was two years since your passing. Jed and Travis have become wonderful adults with wonderful wives with Travis raising three children of his own. I love you.

I knew Marilyn in the late 1980's, when she trained a horse that I had back then. She was such a joy to be around, always so happy and energetic. I can still hear her voice greeting us as we drove up to her house - she would come bouncing out and say "Hi you guys!" Then she would share her knowledge about horses and helped me to become a better rider. Her boys, Travis and Jed, were always arou

Marilyn, you were my best friend. We shared our lives together. Every birthday, every Christmas, all the school years and even college. You were the light when you entered a room. You laughed and others loved you. I stood back and watched the magic happen when you met others. You had a marvelous way of making others feel welcome and important. We are Christians! Soon He is coming.