Mom -- Mama Esther -- Grandma Esther

Known by various names over the years, and I had the great opportunity to learn about all of them yesterday.  I took the video camera with me when I drove to Phenix City for the July 4, 2010 weekend and spent several hours on Monday "interviewing" my Mama!! She did great. We started with (1) first childhood memory, (2) school years/friends/homes/vacations, (3) high school/college, (4) meeting Dad/marriage - 64 years - and (5) was able to get thru 6 kids births too!! Yes, we took a long lunch break in there. And yes, we three who were there (Cathy, Julie, and myself) learned stuff!! But mostly I learned that we Benton sisters (4 of us) are strong women because of our Mom. Dad had an Army career and then Civil Service career that required much of him, and Mom persevered through all of that, raising 6 children, being a stay-home Mom, then a working Mom, and now a retired-from-work Mom, but never from just being our Mom! Not only that, as an only child, she cared for her Mom for over twenty years after my Granddaddy died. Granny didn't drive, didn't know how to handle money, didn't know how to change the thermostat from winter to summer temps - and Mom (and Dad) were always there. This is a special tribute to a very special lady -- my Mom!! Who is even more special to me because she loves my husband, my children, and my grandchildren!!!!!!! And lastly, my Mom is a Christian woman who always taught us Christian values, and has lived those values these 83 years.  Thanks Mom!!!!!