Happy Mother’s Day Kitty Rise

5/12/2013

Your motherhood day of recognition has arrived, chai mai?

Time to celebrate your loving devotion to and for Golf and Gift.

Also, time to acknowledge your steadfast love and support of Don.

Your enduring stamina allows you to juggle many balls!

Your genuine nature and bounding energy,

Add luster to your culinary and hospitality undertakings,

Adding a personal touch to the service of others.

Serving as a tour guide through a large part of Thailand,

Your efforts made for a memorable experience.

Know that you and your family occupy a special place my life,

Enriching it in more ways than one.

May we be friends for a loonngg time....mai pen rai!

Happy Mother’s Day Kitty!

Nathan (Nate) J. Bender

Happy Mother-Lena’s Day

5/12/2013

An enduring, persevering survivor.  

Third child of ten, of German immigrant parents.

Farming on 700 acres of fertile southeast South Dakota soil,

Fostering responsibilities early and many.

Challenges of sustainability were large and pressing,

Directly shaping her eighty seven year life span. 

Emancipation brought her to Chicago, during the depression years,

Ultimately and fortuitously, landing her in Iowa, in her mid-thirties.

Embracing the challenges of marrying into an existing family of two,

Only to face assorted trials in relating to an ensconced extended family.

Fastidious in virtually every undertaking,

Household management was marked by virtuous cleanliness and dutifulness.

In short order, the Bender Boys Three, were co-created,

Adding to the already present step children, James and Emily.

Lacking a formal education beyond fourth grade,

She became a strong advocate for her children’s educational path,

Resisting her husband’s claim of corruptive influences therein.

Instilling messages her children had potential for a better life,

She created unconscious motivation in them to learn and explore.

Though steeped in strong ties to the Lutheran religion brand,

Her spiritual foundation was marked by authenticity and curiosity,

Endearing her to all who encountered her.

Most of all Mother Lena was MY mother,

Who gave me the foundation for living fully and joyfully.

Nathan John Bender

Happy Mother’s Day 2013 - Sandra

Throughout the passing years, 

Your Mothering status expands in quality,

Gaining laudatory acclaim from the recipients thereof.

Your enduring support of children and grandchildren,

Creates long-term merits and memories.

Blessed with skills to engage during troubling times, 

You create a safety net for seekers of your forthright input.

Your authenticity leaves an indelible mark,

Providing merits, holding long-term value.

Most of all, I salute your ability to engage my son,

Fostering a mother-son relationship so vital, endearing and strong.

From your ‘head of the class’ Hubby

Lucy @ 1

(5/18/2013)

We’re celebrating a special birthday today!

Lucy is now one year old!

She had a early start,

A bit like her grandfather once had.

Showing us early on,

A taste of her feisty spirit,

One that will carry her into the coming years.

Here’s a warning for her family.......

She will have Dad and brother wrapped around her little finger,

Indulging her every need (spoiling her?),

While her Mom resorts to counter measures! 

Happy Birthday Dear Lucy,

From your Grandfather in far-away Mississippi.

Emily @ 36!

(5/10/13)

Once fancy-free and adventure-seeking,

Now we find her less fancy in her freedom,

While remaining a seeker of life enrichment.

Mother of two, co-creator of the next generation,

Her imprint on an unfolding future is duly noted,

While facing the challenges of civilizing her spouse!

Her presence in our blended family circle 

Occupies an important place, 

Offering emotional intelligence 

And a zest for life.

Happy birthday Emily!

From your grateful and proud father-inlaw.