1999. What a special year that was.
It was the year that a tan little girl with an infectious smile and a blond ponytail swinging as she walked into our hearts and never left.
Of course, Bob took all of the credit for getting you and Jeffry together. He pushed the subject until Jeffry got the confidence to ask you out … and you said “no”. But I think it was your mom who forced the issue and then he got his “yes”. We were thrilled. And still are. Bob still took all of the credit, of course.
As soon as you came into our lives, the ups were like floating clouds on a background of blue sky, and the downs were not so down. We had parties and Christmases and movies and game nights. Your enthusiasm for life and your kids and any promotion Jeffry ever earned was always met with the positive attitude that makes you our Kerri.
You were comfortable with people and I cherish our relationship deeply. You have been there to laugh with me at your husband’s antics, cry with me at times of loss, and just offer a silent hug when you knew it was needed. You can always explain something to me that I cannot ask my boys – and I will admit, it is a little bit disturbing that you seem to know a bit about anything I ask. I always know when something might be a little on the “off the beaten path” side, when Jeffry tells me “Ask Kerri” and then laughs. You speak your truth and and nobody has to wonder where you stand on any given subject. And just when I think I have stated my case ever so plainly and think I have the upper hand, I look to you and my face drops when you say “no, I don’t think that is the right way to handle it”. Honest to a fault. And not always to my benefit.
No topic is off limits and you always insist on just the facts and plain speak. When Max was little and just starting to talk, I had to get used to an almost 2 year old using anatomically correct names of “things”. Gone are the days of referring to a body part as his “winkie”. He would correct me in a heartbeat if I slipped up. Nana, it’s my …. well, you get the idea. One weekend, both boys were spending the night at Nana’s house. I had plans for making clubhouses out of sheets and eating in front of a movie and singing and crafts – the schedule was set. And just as you kissed them goodbye and they ran off to drag everything out and demolish the living room, you turned to me while walking towards your car and flatly stated “Oh, we had the talk with them today so they may ask you questions”. Um, WHAT?!? No big deal to you. I, on the other hand, was in full panic mode. Later when Max stated that you and daddy talked to them about their bodies and more, I interrupted with “Mommy is a teacher and very smart. Always listen to her. WHO WANTS POPCORN?”
And then one day Jeffry told me that together, you had decided to move to Canada. Alex and his decisions needed to be respected and not rejected. I will admit, I thought you were being a little paranoid about how things would go here in the states. It wasn’t long before I knew that you kids had made the right decision for your family. The grandkids seem to be flourishing and living their best life. Of course, I miss you terribly. But you have always had my admiration for doing the right thing and putting the kids first. Bob always said that he wished we would have been the kind of parents that you kids are. I do too. But more than that, I wish that I had your sense of humor (maybe not so much the naughty parts…) and your confidence to just be yourself. I am still trying to be like you.
And now you celebrate another birthday. And I wish for you nothing less than happiness and joy. Time with your family exploring British Columbia and trying new things. Settling in to new routines with two teenagers and teaching them to be confident and adventurous. You mean a lot to many people.
But you mean the world to me.
a gdovin girl's perspective 