In continuing on with the comments to 52 Blessings—Ande, it's Ty’s turn . . .
Ty told me on the phone today that he knew he wasn’t loved as much as the other kids in our family because he’s the last one to be a 52 Blessing. He didn’t buy it when I said I was saving the best for last, he just reminded me that I am a tough bird where he is concerned and then reminded me of what he told our German neighbor Emilie. Emilie was a surrogate grandmother for our kids and was tending Abe and Ty one day when they were little. The boys had been fighting so she separated them, putting Ty on a stool in the middle of her living room. As she lifted him to the seat he said in his gruff stutter, “Wwwwwwwwwelll . . . my mom is mmmmmeaner than youuuuuuuuu.” (Certainly a proud moment for any mother. Almost as much as when they brag to their friends on the playground, “My mom is bigger than yours.”)
Ty, you’re so right, I was meaner than Emilie and your honesty and integrity is but one thing I appreciate about you.
A couple of other things I appreciate about Ty are his talents of exactness and resourcefulness. One example happened last fall while he was serving an LDS mission in Taiwan. Missionaries are supposed to be in bed by a certain time and wake up at a certain time. Ty struggled utilizing that much sleep, especially after attending the United States Air Force Academy where their sleep is severely limited. However he wanted to obey the rules with exactness, so he rigged himself a night light by tying a pair of socks together and sticking a flashlight in the knot so that he could read without waking his companion while he waited for the time to pass.
(flipping off a wall by running up the side of it and flipping in the air)
Ty is a happy blessing. He loves life. He loves people. He loves to tease. He loves fun. He loves work. He loves new things. He loves me. Ty is a terrific blessing--first, last and in-between--and I love him deeply.
10 comments:
I'm sure my kids could make both those claims about me too, but I'm comforted if that puts me in the same category as you!
I'm impressed with his sock-strapped headlight innovation and the serious air he got in that flip!
I think all of those pictures were very typically Ty. What a goofy kid. I love him too and thanks for pointing out some of his great qualities, Mom. What a good job you did raising us.
I find it a little incongruous that someone who wants to keep mission rules so strictly somehow justifies an air flip....which i'm certain wouldn't be in the rulebooks.....
But Ty as a part of the 52 blessings? Really goes without saying, doesn't it? We all know what a blessing he is.
Oh mom (and Ty),
Mom, thank you for carrying him in your womb for many months. Thank you for being such a good mom to ALL of us. I think we are only blessings because you did such a good job. Otherwise we might have grown up to be naughty... and not a blessing.
Ty, this post makes me excited for the day when you will be my next door neighbor (don't forget that when we are all old and retired... we will ALL live next to each other) (Abe and Ande, we forgot to tell you... start planning). I think Ray wished you were with us yesterday because I just wanted someone to tease... so I kept bugging him while he was sleeping. You know, breathing on his neck, tickling him with a feather, that kind of stuff. While he was sleeping, you would have played with me, just like when we were growing up.
I love you both,
Cali
Those are some awesome pictures of your boy.
That's an amzing flip! (and a scary photo for the mother in me to contemplate). You know, I have to tell you, Jane, your reports from Life Beyond is giving me courage to face them all growing up and away. You make it look fun!
I love Ty because he emailed you every day, telling you good morning and calling you princess....
That last picture is amazing. What perfect timing.
I have to admit, with ty on a mission these last two years, he is the least known to me of all your children. But, thanks to your 52 blessings, I now know that he is every bit as awesome. How could he not be? You are his mother:)
We miss Ty! You got him right on the nose Jane... especially the teasing trait he has :D LOVE IT!
Becka
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