A few years ago my mother and I ended up with the same Christmas Eve pajamas, ordered from L.L. Bean. It was unplanned, and too funny when we opened our packages . . .
Look how cute we are in our Jammies!
It just goes to show you how much I really am like my mother.
And being like my mother is a very wonderful thing.
I have come to realize and understand deeply -- the strong ties between family bonds and who you come from. No matter who (or what) your past consist of (for better or worse) you are affected by those ancestors who have gone before you. Similar to the concept in the Lion King movie, your ancestors essentially "live in you".
King Mufasa says to his son Simba:
"You have forgotten who you are and so have forgotten me. Look inside yourself. You are more than what you have become. You must take your place in the Circle of Life."
The more you understand those who have gone before you . . . the more you will understand YOU!
The more you understand you . . . the more you will understand them!
And so on . . .
Life really does become circular.
A circle has no beginning and no end.
Eternal. Families.
I have come to have a deep love and special gratitude for the women of my family line. They are the Queens in whose mighty company I hope to dwell . . .
For this Mothers Day, I wanted to honor them.
Without them . . . I would not be me.
For those who might think a mother is "just" a mother . . . think again.
Time will tell your great worth. Generations will know your great worth.
Ann Steele Murdoch
Great, Great, Great Grandma
"Muzz"
1829-1909
- Joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Scotland with her husband John Murray Murdoch
- She left her homeland behind to face the hardships of crossing the ocean and the plains of America by Ox-team, where 2 of their children passed away shortly after arrival.
- She had 15 children
- Her husband worked for Brigham Young when he first arrived in Utah and was the Stake Patriarch
- She was the Relief Society President
- She loved helping and serving others
- They helped in settling Heber City, Utah
- It was with her approval and consent that John Murdoch followed the principle of plural marriage and so he married Isabella "Bella" Crawford
- "Muzz" and "Bella" were the best of friends and were known for their friendship and love for each other. They worked together to take care of their very large family.
I LOVE this picture!
John Murdoch with Ann and Isabella
John, both wives, and children all lived under one roof for many years in peace and harmony.
(22 children grew to maturity 7 dying very young)
John had been sent to jail for practicing the principle of polygamy and had to build another home for Isabella. They lived separately for years until almost all the children were grown, then he built a smaller home with two separate living quarters for the two ladies, in accordance with the law.
NOTE:
(Any questions about polygamy, send me an e-mail!)
To make it clear: POLYGAMY IS NOT PRACTICED in the church today.
It was a commandment for that time.
The more I learn about that time in history -- the more I understand the need for it. (Lots of women left to fend for themselves, they needed a provider.) I am amazed by the faith of those willing to live the principle.
Though I better understand polygamy -- I CANNOT IMAGINE being that selfless! WOW!
It was said of Ann Steele Murdoch:
"We will miss her pleasant, motherly smile, her wrinkled face and her gentle voice with it's quaint Scotch accent."
----------
Sarah Jane Murdoch
(daughter of Ann Steele Murdoch)
Great, Great, Grandma
1859-1933
She was one of the daughters of John Murray Murdoch and Ann Steele.
"One day my girl chum and I went into the school room and a little parcel was handed to us; it read "Dear Valentine." We opened it and there was a cedar pointer of beautiful workmanship and a stick of candy. Thomas Heber Rasband and John Carlisle were the givers."
Sarah married that boy Valentine, Thomas Heber Rasband.
They lived a happy life full of life, trials and children . . . until one day Sarah recalls:
"What is the matter?" Annie said. "There has been a terrible accident at the mine and Papa was in it." I said, "Come inside and we will kneel down and pray that there will be no lives lost." But at 3 o'clock James Rasband came in and said, "Sarah, it is Heber that is in the accident . He had fallen down the shaft 275 feet into a sump filled with water and they did not know if they could ever get him out. My first thought was that I must go to the mine. I started up the hill in front of our house and went blind and fell. They carried me back into the house and laid me on the bed and would not let me get up.
No human tongue can tell what I passed through at that time. What a terrible calamity had overtaken me to think that my dear companion was in such distress and that I would never see him alive again. Then to hear the pitiful cries of our dear children. Their cries were heartbreaking. I tried to make myself believe it was all a mistake and not true.
At 8 p.m. word came that his body had been taken to the undertaker. This was little consolation in this terrible trying time. There were many people outside crying and praying for me. I was helped into the room where I got to look at that dear face and mangled body. There were no tears for me for I was past shedding tears. I knew I would meet him again.
She lived a life of faith and trial and sacrifice.
Now, she is with her sweet Valentine, Heber.
--------------
Emily Isabella Rasband Cram
1886-1967
Great Grandma
"Embell"
"Embell's life was full of faith, hard work, laughter, tears and goodness and seemed blessed with an innocence (untouched by evil) that is unknown today."
- She was not afraid of anything as a child
- Her child nickname was "Curly"
- As a child their family would sing, play games, have skits, poetry, shadow plays with a sheet and light behind it. There favorite hymn was "Love at Home".
- Emily Isabella was 5'6 and 140lbs
- She had dark blue eyes and beautiful dark curly hair and good health
- Embell was the "Beautiful Belle of the County".
- She had a wonderful disposition
In August of 1908, Victor Dee Cram and Emily met. He was on a semi-pro baseball team and had a game in Park City. He was 28 and had a black eye and hurt hip from the game. Embell was 22 and worked at the candy counter of the drug store. Victor came limping in with his hurt leg and black eye. She was at the fountain, and turned around; she had a black eye also. Vic said, "Hi Curly! How about swapping black eyes?" Later he asked if he could take her home. He borrowed a bicycle built for two to come after her. "A love rose up between Sarah and Dad that lasted all their lives."
Victor
It took two days to get to the temple in horse and buggy. Mother was their chaperone from Heber City and on June 22 1910 -- two years after they met -- they were married in the Salt Lake Temple.
- Their home was lovely but after 10 children it really wore out. But it was orderly and clean.
"Sometimes I wonder how mother stood our gangs. Her arms were always outstretched to us, or around us! The eight loaves of hot bread, the homemade soups, Saturday night baths in a big iron tub were all a story of their own in our lives."
- She taught love thy neighbor, honesty, virtue, kindness and compassion in all they did.
- Embell lived her religion everyday of her life -- her example
- She worked in Primary, taught religion classes, and was Relief Society President
- She always had a Relief Society quilt in her living room
- She was such a peaceful, happy person to be around
- The corners of her mouth seemed to be turned up in a permanent smile.
- She never wore pants or slacks -- she did not like them!
- She always wore a housedress and silk stockings and lovely apron
"A bed was always kept on the front porch where many song fests were held. It was a joy to hear Mother's beautiful tenor voice."
"Mother always took the harmony -- tenor or alto-- whatever was needed." Sometimes as we all lay in bed before going to sleep, we'd all sing -- upstairs and down. We'd sing anywhere -- in front of the house, canyon parties, or just riding in the car."
Few things frightened Embell, but she hated lightning and thunder. She would close the drapes and gather her family around.
Embell laughed a lot. She enjoyed a good joke and loved to laugh. She could get so tickled; she'd get the giggles and couldn't stop. Even during occasions of deep sorrow, Embell and her cousins would be able to find something to laugh about. It was their way of saying, "It's sad, but we can go on."
Her favorite saying was: "The Hurrier I go, the behinder I get."
"Our home was a haven for the sick, the tired, the hungry, the lonely; the doors were always open to everyone. There was always food and room for one more. Many transients were welcomed to a good meal."
Embell had cancer of the mouth which caused her jawbone to be exposed. The doctor was amazed how she "hypnotized" herself out of the pain. He had never seen anyone with such patience and forbearance as she had. Even when she was sick, she was still kind and pleasant. She was still thinking of others. She passed away from the cancer.
Now, I am sure she is still "Belle of the County" in Heaven.
-----------
Sara LeIsle Cram Post
1923-Present
Grandma
"Nan"
- Played semi-pro softball on the teams "The White Stars" and "The Lucky 13". (Like the teams on the movie A League of their Own).
- She was co-editor for the high-school paper
- She was Valedictorian in her class
- She married Bill Post; Radio personality, composer, vocalist.
- They courted for 1 month and married -- he was 12 years older than her!
- She had eight children
- One of her children, John, drowned in a boating accident
- She worked in the Primary and Relief Society programs
- She was part of the PTA
- She had to work to support the family when her husband became ill
- She is the most adorable, kindest, sweetest person you will ever meet
- You always feel better when you are with her
- She always has something nice to say about everyone and everything
- After learning about her mother "Embell" she sounds just like her!
- Their family was all about music and singing -- all the time!
- She learned to smile through the hard times
- In her older age she was crocheting bandages for a leprosy colony
- She is always making or doing something for someone
- She bakes with love and you can taste it!
Nan also says often, "The Hurrier I go, the behinder I get!"
I love and adore my Nan. Just thinking about her makes me smile and happy. Her face is the face of an angel.
Nan is an angel.
*Poor Nan just fell a few weeks ago and hit her head. We pray she will recover quickly.
We all love her so much!
Just look at her sweet face and smile lines. :-)
------------
Sara Emily Post Lindquist
1943-Present
Mother
"Sally"
OK, so I could write a whole story about my mother. I used to love her as my mother, but now I adore her as an angel, like Nan. My mother is my best friend (besides Charles, of course!). We can talk and talk for hours. (Just ask my dad!) ;-) wink! As I mature, I grow more and more amazed at all my mother is.
- My mother is all about MUSIC
- She has played the piano/organ for THOUSANDS of occasions
- She played the organ in church for years, without it being her calling
- She has put on huge youth productions, fabulous elaborate roadshows, plays, musicals, etc.
- She can create an "atmosphere" in a home and you will NEVER want to leave!
- Don't get me started on how gloriously she cooks/bakes
- She has 5 children -- all married in the Temple
- She is the epitome of "Grandma"
- She has a special "sparkle" in her eye
- She is also all about FAMILY (family and music are tied closely together!)
- She would gather us around the piano for Sunday night singing time
- When she tells a story it is way more exciting than the actual event that took place. If there was a whale in the ocean, then in my mother's eyes they were "breaching, doing ballet dancing, smiling and waving at us!" (If there were actually two whales then she saw 20. ;-) wink!)
- My mother can just get the job done and done right
- She is not afraid -- of anything
- She has been the President of Relief Society, Young Women, Primary (all with young children)
- She has a special way with the youth -- usually through music
- She is master church choir director
- Growing up the oldest of 6 brothers (1 sister) she has learned to be "tough"
- She is on her second mission with my daddy right now. The faith of our fathers (and mothers) seems to grow stronger with each generation
- She is very passionate in all she does
- She just makes you feel better by being with you
- She is beautiful
- Like Embell, "The corners of her mouth seemed to be turned up in a permanent smile."
My Mother, My Friend
My family is full of angelic women and my mother is one of them.
She just keeps getting more and more beautiful.
I love this image.
It captures her perfectly.
Oh, Mother . . . how my heart bursts with joy when I think of you.
I will rise up and call you blessed, forever.
With Angels like these women walking behind me, how can I possibly fail them?
How can I not fulfill my potential?
As a woman. As a Mother.
“The errand of angels is given to women"
(Hymn, As sisters in Zion)
I have known such angelic women.
I can only hope to follow in their footprints of faith
and continue on creating my own footprints . . .
filling my place in the Circle of Life, and eternity.
Mothers are Angels.
So, for you mothers of babies and young children . . . HOLD THEM CLOSE! Enjoy every precious moment. Snuggle their little checks and marvel at their faces. It goes too fast and you will wish these days back again . . . I promise, you will. Go snuggle those babies with love . . . one day they might just have to be troopers, too. 
