Thursday, April 22, 2010

N is for our Nice Daughter, Nancy...

So...

Recently our Nice Daughter, Nancy, had us over to her house for a celebration.

She went to an incredible amount of work to make it special.

And she did.

She and her husband made wonderful food. Nancy also decorated everything with these gorgeous paper flowers (isn't this lovely and festive), she dyed doilies to make them the same pastel shades and covered glass votives in tissue paper.
Everyone had a happy time. And at the very end Nancy gave me this card. Which made me cry...because this is what was written on the card. (If you're feeling a bit emotional today I should interject a Possible Kleenex Warning here):
Mom,
Growing up I never thought of you as being your own person,
You were simply my Mom.
Not a girl with parents of her own,
Not a kid with goals and dreams,
And not a woman with worries and fears.
You were (and in many ways still are) the center of my life.
You were the voice of reason.
You were the arms that held me when I was sick,
And cheered me up when I was down.
And even though you no longer make my meals,
Or tuck me into bed -
You're still taking care of me.
You'll always be my Mom...
Even though I've come to see you as so much more.


I bet you can see why I love our Nice daughter, Nancy so much.

William Shakespeare wrote, "What is in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."

And I find that especially appropriate here...

And I'm hoping you find it especially distracting...

Because we don't have a daughter named Nancy.

Her name is Jessie. And she is amazing.

And the names were only changed here to protect the poor, innocent little letter "N".

(hey, leave me alone...Mr. Jenny wouldn't let me use the "N" post I wanted...which was the word Next? as the title and then a picture of the letter "O" for next week)

This post is linked to Alphabe-Thursday's Letter "N" post.

post signature

75 comments:

Mrs. M said...

What a sweet daughter, no matter what her name is!

Count on you to keep us on our toes! :)

VKT said...

That is such a precious tribute to you Jenny! What a loving daughter you have. You were right about the kleenex, I needed it.


I left an award for you on my blog although it pales in comparison to what your sweet daughter wrote. Have a wonderful day!

Mardell said...

I was definitely confused with the Nancy thing! LOL Thanks for the tissue warning ~ I needed it. She is amazingly sweet. Apples don't fall far from the tree! :o)

Cheryl said...

Did Nancy/Jessie write that? It's really beautiful.

As much as I loved this, I'd have posted the other one too! That's funny stuff.

Nicki Meier said...

Awww...that Jessie! Although, it really does look to me like she is taking after her mama in the AMAZING department...:)

Terry said...

Awe...what a sweet card!

Unknown said...

you reap what you sow. you must have been a wonderful mother to raise such a great daughter! lucky, lucky both of you!!!!!

Deb said...

sweet card...she will always be Nancy to me...my step grandma's name was Nancy and she was a pistol...great lady....

Jeanie said...

I'm glad Mr. Jenny put his foot down because this was such a great "N" post. What a special daughter you have. I have 2 "J" daughters, Jill and Joanna, who are also nice Nancys.

Unknown said...

A love so Natural and Nurturing is the bond between daughter and mother. Very Nice!

Pondside said...

Thank you for the kleenex warning - it was timely.
Lovely to have raised such a gracious and thoughtful daughter!

Beth said...

Aww, how sweet is she?! I had the name Jesse picked out if I had a boy. :) Hope you have a great day. I'm off to eat lunch with my baby girl at school!

jenn said...

yeah, that was sweet.

~Kristen~ said...

So very sweet! I am sitting at my desk chuckling and with a tear in my eye all at the same time! :-)

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

I have a son named Jesse and he is an amazing father and husband. Doesn't it make it all worth it when you see them grow into caring, loving adults?

Sarah said...

Oh, I'm using the kleenex! I'm not surprised that a daughter of yours would write those beautiful heartfelt words to her mom. We all know "Jenny" is one special lady!
I wrote about Nantucket, but I do have a sister named Nancy. Now I'm feeling a bit guilty I didn't write about her. She is the dearest friend to all and the most amazing individual.

Viki said...

OMG, what a cheater LOL. That was a beautiful card. I would expect nothing less of her considering the good example that was set for her. You seem like such a good mom. Loved the paper flowers.

Amy said...

I was thinking - now why haven't I ever heard of her daughter Nancy??? LOL

What a sweetheart that Jessie is and what a great Mom you are! I glad I know you!

Nellie's Cozy Place said...

Hi Jenny,
That was precious, at first I thought you made the whole thing up and I was thinking that stinker,
So glad it really happened and you have a sweet daughter even if her name isn't Nancy. Jessie did a great job of celebrating her Mommies birthday, and what a lovely card.
Don't you just love those cards,
my daughter does a fabulous job with cards as well. They just melt my heart!!
and Happy Birthday Jenny!!
I know it was a good one, cause I can tell by the sweet pictures.
Loved all the nice things she did on the table, so sweet and creative.
Hope you have a delightful day,
Blessings, Nellie

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I really liked this post. WHY? Because it is so Jenny! Love your daughter and Jessie is a very nice name but does not start with N so it makes perfect sense to take a little creative license and make it work. STILL that card would make any Mom cry.

laterg8r said...

that is so sweet :D

Anita said...

And it's not even the official Mother's Day! :)
I guess in her heart, every day is "Mother's Day." How blessed you are.

Busy Bee Suz said...

This cracked me up...you are too funny. And You MUST be an amazing mom to Nancy. And Jessie. And maybe next week you will have a new daughter; Oprah.

Tracy said...

Hi whilst I hate the word nice I love your blog

Beedeebabee said...

Your daughter is as sweet as you are, and as gifted with her words! Such beautiful decorations, Jenny...if it was your birthday, HaPpY BiRtHdaY!!! Have a fun day! xo Paulette

Julia Christie said...

You are so blessed and I am laughing out loud right now at the last sentence!!!
Thank you for the laugh!

I'm just sayin'...Erma Bombeck had nothin' on you...Write a book?

Smiles

Ms. A said...

Nice Nancy, even if she is a Jessie.

Diana said...

What a sweet card Jenny! It really is a wonderful feeling when they grow up and show appreciation to us! I think that's when we know that they ARE grown ups! Love Di ♥

Susan Anderson said...

heehee

Happy Birthday to your sweet, name-adjusted to protect the alphabet, daughter.

;)

Becky said...

I was gonna say, "HEY! Ya been keepin' her in the closet or something? You don't have a daughter named Nancy?!?!?!"

Hahahaha

and you're right, she's amazing! I hope Teresa turns out just like her...

Julie Harward said...

You always "get me"...I was going along, nearly in tears..then you threw me under the bus! Love you! Come say hi :D

Jo said...

That was simply beautiful ... what a wonderful card and hey, what a wonderful child ... and you do get bonus marks for making some of us tear up ... okay, group (((hug)))!

Kat said...

What a sweet thing for Nancy, I mean Jessie, to do. I just know that you had to be a fantastic mom to raise such a wonderful daughter. But you are a sneaky little thing aren't you? Maybe Nancy means Jessie in another language :) Kathy

Unknown said...

I love that she took the time to write you tat awesome note.

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

I actually laughed all the way through this because of the "Nancy" bit.

The card was what every mother would love to have her children realize, even if they never said it or wrote it. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!!!

Tina said...

You big cheater!!! But what a wonderful daughter, no matter what her name. Happy Belated Birthday Jenny!

Wanda..... said...

Talk about poetic license! Who, but you would think to change your daughter's name to suit your post and whimsy! You truly are a gem of a blogger, Jenny!!!
♥...Wanda

Together We Save said...

So sweet! Excure me I need a tissue... you warned me, I should have listened.

Anonymous said...

O.K., you got me! Nancy? Hmmm, must be Steve's daughter, whose name I didn't remember. What a nice card! Jessie? O.K. Now, that makes sense! That apple didn't fall far from the tree - dying doilies?? Hahahahahahaha!

Unknown said...

your not-nancy daughter should work for hallmark! what a lovely card. I also love the details put into the day...what a great idea to dye doilies

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

You have a wonderful and lovely Daughter!

But watch out for the 'Nancy's' of the world [and those with all the other spellings of that pretty name] to come knocking at your door and protest.

-giggggggles-

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

Oh, that is a beautiful tribute and heart-felt note, Jenny! I would laminate it..

Thanks for your concern about my illness..It touched my heart!

Darcie said...

Oh Jenny...you got me again...but that's OK! I can see your daughter(whatever her name may be), has a way with words just like her mom! Loved it!

J said...

Aw, I actually had to get a Kleenex. :|

That was a really sweet post, Jenny.

Unknown said...

Lovely daughter ... no matter what her name is! :)

Unknown said...

And I have NO idea why my comment posted twice ... ;) !

jeff campbell said...

You, you, you, you...little sNeaky pete...well, I do have a sister named Nancy...really...

It is not nice for the teacher to play tricks on the students...Karma can be a...

Happy, blessed Earth Day to you...I'd give you a shiny apple if I could:-)

SquirrelQueen said...

Neat, it looks like Nancy/Jessie cooked up some Nifty Nibbles. No one went Needy at this feast. Love the Natural colors of the table Notions.

My emotions were in Neutral until I read the card verse, Nice. Looks like everyone had a great time.

Brenda said...

Good one. I'm glad even though her name is not Nancy she is still the nice daughter. I was stumped all day yesterday for the N word. Bugged hubs. He was no help. When I titled my post Nothing, I had Nothing. Then I started singing the silly little song. Where did that come from? This has really been a fun trip with you because I am somewhat surprised with what I do come up with each week.

Bossy Betty said...

That card Those words just melted this mama's heart!

Connie said...

You're her mother, I think you can call her any name you want!
Your daughter has the same writing talent you do. What a beautiful sentiment! No wonder you needed a kleenex!

Terra said...

I have already forgotten how I found your blog, But I am SO SO SO glad I did. Each day, a great read, a real moment and little love all wrapped up in my reader!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

That must be a Hallmark card, Jenny! I have one that I saved that my mother gave me for my birthday before she died, and I still cry when I read it. I think that's so sweet of your daughter that she gave you one on her birthday. What a sweetie!

I'm taking a break from my break as I had to get away from workmen for twenty four hours. I hope to be back to regular blogging soon. Miss you!!!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Sook said...

What a cute post! :)

Nadeen said...

Nancy? You nut. I was beginning to think you had a daughter stuffed in a closet that you hadn't told us about.

How sweet is Miss Jessie. MeHopes she's a Mama someday too. Actually MePrays.

mrs. c said...

That's a 3-hanky card and I am so impressed with how wonderful the decorations are. You daughter is so talented and sweet, just like her mother!

Sue said...

Well, you can imagine how the mom love made me cry. It would have anytime...but right now, even more so. I can't thank you enough for the cards you sent my mom and me. I came home and put on my new necklace...the word "peace" being so perfect for me right now. It has been the worst time of my life and the best. Mom is still hanging on...still squeezing dad's hand and smiling when I call and talk on the speaker. Lucky for me, I have my own Nancy (her name is Kelsey) and she is trying so hard to take care of me right now.

"Will the circle be unbroken..."

Sue

Vicki/Jake said...

You're just so fun! Now, tell Nancy how fun she was too (o:

Great card, great letter N, great you!

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Oh how very sweet! I would cry too!

GardenOfDaisies said...

Jessie is a sweet daughter! I like her paper flower decor!

You should have been allowed to write "Next?" as your post. You fulfilled your quota of N words when you wrote our comments. LOL!

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

haha!!! You totally had me there with Nancy!

How sweet is your post and how sweet is your daughter :o)

Blessings & Aloha!

OH MY GOODNESS!!! sidenote: your playlist took me by surprise, when The Alphabet song sung by the Three Stooges came on!!! My hubby and I sang this song when our first one was an infant back in 1983...on lo-o-ong car rides...it was one of the only songs that we would sing that would keep her from being fussy! I never knew that they sang that! Thanks for finding that!

Unknown said...

Daughters are SO SWEET aren't they?
I am so proud of you!
Having a LOVELY DAUGHTER reflects AN AWESOME MOTHER!
hugs
shakira

Lourie said...

I finally got here! Whew! It's been a crazy day. I love this post. And I am totally okay with you changing her name to Nancy...after all, what's in a name.

Brittany said...

I think when you see such a wonderful daughter, it is a reflection of the mother.

Your beautiful spirit rubbed off on her!

I am so glad that we both share such a great relationships with our family. I am so close with my mom as well, and I give her lots of credit for all the good I have inside of me!

Christy said...

Tricky switcheroo! I hope I will always have such a wonderful relationship with my daughters as you do!

Amanda Lee said...

O dear, Mrs, Matlock, I think your husband is a wise man. And your daughter, Je, er, Nancy, she sounds like a good one!

Short and Sweet said...

Great "N" post. Nancy has a way with words that really touched my heart.
Loretta

Jacque said...

Good Morning Ms. Matlock,

It is wonderful to see a daughter take so much interest into making everything "PERFECT" for a family celebration, down to the "sentimental" cards. I love it!

Strange that we both re: Shakespeare in our posts!! I thought that was super neat!!

Thanks for hosting this meme and bringing sunshine into our homes everyday! You are a doll!!

Have a great weekend.

Lola said...

Dear Ms Matlock!

Fabulous 'N' post & pics!

Thanks for stopping by - am just getting around to all the other students!

Look forward to *seeing* you again for next Thursday's class assignment 'O'! (Oooooh, there are so many possibilities!)

Have a lovely weekend!

XOXO LOLA:)

Theresa said...

Oh Jenny, I know that you didn't just rename your daughter for this blog... that would be crazy and of course you did because you ARE! Love the sweet words and I can see why you cried! I was about to cry until I finished reading the post and then I giggled! Hugs my friend! Have a blessed day!

Unknown said...

you are such a N' is for Nutball.....but it is the nutballs that make the world go round.....I think anyway...Isnt that a quote....oh shoot, I dont know.....sheeesh

Jackie said...

I hate to say this but everytime I read a mothers heart I can see my mother and it feels good . Thank you for sharing .

easternsparkle said...

Thanks for PKW - lovely story, very inventive to change your daughter's name!

Mary Lou said...

Wonderful posts.

Brenda said...

Oh, c'mon! How much did you pay her to write that? LOL! Does she know who you REALLY are??? HMMMM.