Climb Every Mountain...

Dear Morgan and Jonathan,

You did it! We have been talking about it for years and finally, it was time. You and dad climbed Long's Peak! I couldn't be more proud. Almost since the beginning of time, the "mountain climbing" analogy has been made...a mountain represents a trial or a difficulty; climbing the mountain is hard, but just persevere and you'll make it. I've not always liked that analogy. Why does a mountain have to represent a trial? Don't we sometimes just climb a mountain because we can?

Love you,

Mom

Siempre Listos

Dear Morgan, Jonathan and Luke,
We just experienced an amazing 10 days with our scouting friends from Costa Rica. What fun we had! Camping, boating, golfing, hiking, playing in the snow. The motto of scouting in the U.S. is "Be Prepared." Sounds good, right? Before you head out on an adventure, make sure you have everything you need. I like the Costa Rican motto a little better. "Siempre Listos." Always Ready. No matter what comes your way, a Scout is always ready. Ready to hike, ready to camp, ready to cook...ready to help, laugh, work, listen. Whatever the need, whatever the situation, always ready.
Yo te amo,
Mom

A Walk Down Memory Lane

Dear Morgan, Jonathan and Luke,
Several days ago I took a walk around Lake Estes. It was not quite Spring, but it was a warm and windless day. On the north side of the lake, I encountered a flock of Canadian Geese. We see them a lot up here in the Spring. We've even seen a row of goslings following dutifully behind their mother. And I've been hissed at when the mom thought I was getting too close!

Seeing the geese made me think of my Grandma Holdorf. Sadly, you never met her. She passed away on Easter morning in 1993. She lived her whole life in Omaha, Nebraska. When she and my grandpa would come to Colorado for a visit, one of her favorite things to spot was a Canadian Goose. I guess she didn't see them much in Nebraska.

I just wanted you to know that little bit about my grandma. Now, when you see a Canadian Goose, you can think of me, and I'll be thinking of her.
I love you, Mom

A Woman's Prerogative...

Dear Morgan,
From the time you were old enough to identify colors, yellow has always been your favorite. When most girls your age were crazy over pink and purple, yellow stayed at the top of your list. One time, I think, you were thinking about changing it to green, but that didn't last. Even now, at age 15, you are drawn to soft yellows and butter creams. Your favorite color doesn't always have to be yellow, but I love that you know what you like and you stick with it. Things like colors, shoes and foods can be a passing fancy, but there are some things to which you must hold firm. God and His Word, family, faith and hope...never change your mind about those things.
I love you, Mom

Chivalry is not dead...

Dear Jonathan and Luke,
One of the things I most desire to see in you, aside from a personal relationship with your God, is that you behave as gentlemen. Not a snobby, aloof gentleman. But as a kind, caring, observant and attentive gentleman. When you are out and about, I hope that you will notice when someone needs help. I hope that you will carry a package for someone who has his hands full; open the door for a lady; give up your seat for an elderly man. I see glimpses of that character in you now, and it makes me happy. You are very good at offering to help. And don't be too shy to offer help to a stranger. It will always bring a smile.
Love, Mom

The Road Less Traveled...

Dear Morgan,
Remember when we stayed at the "Dancing Moose" yurt in State Forest State Park? What an adventure! It was our first time to stay in a yurt and the first time for us to explore this state park. It was late afternoon one day and we were walking down the road to see what we could see. Off to the side, was a little hill and you asked if we could go see what was up and over it. I wasn't too wild about the idea. After all, we might get lost and it's easier to walk on the road. But you started up, so we all followed you. And what a delight we discovered on the other side of the hill! It was a former burn area that was growing in with all kinds of fresh, new life. We saw beautiful flowers, young pine trees and a carpet of moss and leaves. It was beautiful and we never would have seen it if you hadn't been curious and unafraid. Life will be like that for you, Morgan. Take the beaten path and you may see some lovely things, but take the road less traveled and you will find surprises and beauty that most people will pass by. You risk losing your way, but the rewards will be great.
Love you, Mom

By the Numbers...

Dear Jonathan,
You and I have something in common...numbers. I first knew that you had a thing for numbers when you were not yet 3. You were in my bed with me one morning and you looked up at our alarm clock and said, "6-5-4!" I didn't know you that you could recognize numbers yet! And ever since then, it's been your thing. Just like me, you can remember dates, times, phone numbers and, most importantly, sports stats. And let me tell you, that is a gift! Remember how we used to tell time by football players' jersey numbers? It's not 7:19, it's John Elway:Eddie Royal! When you're hanging out with your friends and they say, "Hey, what's Matt's phone number? I don't know, ask Jonathan." Or, "Hey, Jonathan, what year did the Saints win the Super Bowl?" Or, "What was John Lynch's number?", you'll know. I can't wait to see how God will use this gift in your life.
I love you a million times a billion, Mom

Fearfully and Wonderfully...

Dear Luke,
When you were about 4, we went on a mission trip to Juarez, Mexico. We went with other families from Uncle John's church in Fort Collins. The trip was a wonderful experience for our family and I learned a lot about you on that trip. You are a very friendly little guy! And so easy-going. You were OK with whatever was going on. What a gift. But I learned another thing from you weeks after we got home from that trip. One of the families that we went with had adopted a little black girl. You and she were about the same age. You were trying to remember her name and you asked me, "Remember that 'chocolate' girl?" I thought that was so precious! You knew she was different from you, but you saw her as something wonderful. We are all different: short, blonde, chubby, funny, squeaky, silly and chocolate. And God made you mine.
I love you, Mom

Guess what?

Dear Luke,
One of our family's traditions is to whisper in the other's ear "Guess what?" It always brings a smile, for we know that the answer is, "I love you!" You have always loved that little game. I can't tell you how many times we played it. Now that you're older, you still tell me you love me many times a day...first thing in the morning, last thing at night and anywhere in between. I never tire of hearing it. Don't ever pass up a chance to tell the people in your life how much they mean to you. Tell your brother, tell your sister, tell your dad. It never loses its meaning.
I love you, Mom

Sharing in the joy...

Dear Jonathan,
When you were about 4, we were at CBS on a Tuesday in the late Fall. When we came outside, we were surprised to see that it was snowing. Not just any snow, but huge, soft, downy flakes. It was beautiful and we were so excited. In your excitement, you asked, "Mom, can we stop at Grandma's house on the way home? I want to see how happy she is!" It really blessed me to know that part of what made you happy was experiencing someone else's happiness. I hope that you always retain that. It's a blessing to be able to enter in to someone else's joy or pain. It's part of what the Apostle Paul encourages us to do in his letters...to hold each other in the highest regard.
I love your heart and I love you, Mom

I dearly love to laugh...

Dear Morgan,
It's hard to believe that you started out as a reluctant reader. You just weren't sure if you wanted to jump in to the world of books. But jump you did. Now you read more than anyone I know. And one of my favorite things about you is that you laugh out loud when you read. Quite often, you are alone in your room reading and I hear you break out in laughter. Sometimes it's a little chuckle, other times it's a side-splitting laugh. It always makes me smile. And I hope you never stop enjoying a good laugh from a good book.
Love, Mom

From my heart...

April 2004
Dear Morgan, Jonathan and Luke,
I am reading John Adams by David McCulough, a very good read by the way. In it are many excerpts of letters from John and Abigail to their sons and daughter. These letters were their only means of communication as they were often separated by many miles and even the Atlantic.
In these letters they admonished their sons to be men of honor and integrity, to work hard and stand in adversity. To their daughter they encouraged seeking a husband of high moral character and not to be swept away by every worldly fancy.
Those letters inspire me! So much so, that I decided to keep a journal for you. In it I will record words of encouragement and love, and my hopes and dreams for you. Maybe in a few years you will find it to be a "good read".
Much love,
Mom