My mother-in-law’s name is Eleanor, but she’s always gone by her middle name… June.
I recently had the pleasure of attending her 85th birthday party. It was held in a room at the Kellogg Center on the campus of Michigan State University. June graduated from MSU, as did one of her sons and one of her daughters. When I first met her, she was a preacher’s wife.
Poor June really didn’t know what to think of me. I was home on leave from the Army, trying my best to get to know her daughter in the Biblical sense. June’s never been a dense woman. She could see what was going on, and tried her best to keep her young daughter out of my clutches.
Actually, I didn’t know how young her daughter was until a county cop asked us for our IDs one night… but that’s another story altogether. I was talking about June.
As I said, she graduated from MSU. Later in life, she got her Master’s there. She was a schoolteacher who eventually worked with special needs students at the Beekman Center in Lansing, Michigan.
By the time she retired, she was well-known for her work in the Music Department at Beekman. She put together what was called the Hand-bell Choir, and the group became so proficient that they gave concerts across the state.
June has always been a seamstress. When I met her daughter, many of the clothes I tried to get her out of were made by June. I would guess that comes, at least partly, from growing up in times a lot tougher than many of us have ever seen. But June has always been really good at it. My wife takes clothes to June for alteration often, and I suppose others do too.
She quilts, at home and with a group of ladies at her church. The quilts she makes at home were for her grand-children at first, but now are for her great-grand-children. My own children slept under her quilts.The quilts made in her church group are so special that people buy them for gifts, though I have a sneaky suspicion that some of them are resold for a profit.
She’s an accomplished musician, plays the organ for her church and with a band that does religious music that’s pretty close to blues. I’m not a churchgoer, but those that have heard the band say it’s really something to see June rocking away on the stage.
It took June a long time to warm up to me, but eventually she did. I sometimes joke that I won her over by sending her flowers on her birthdays, but I know that’s not completely true. Like I said, she’s never been dense.
Maybe she saw something in me, or maybe it was the grand-kids, or maybe we warmed up to each other over the years, but I guess it doesn’t matter.
June stood by me when I was a hurtin’ unit, just about to go down in flames. She’s given me encouragement when I needed it, kindly advice (whether I wanted it or not), but never scolded me or reprimanded me.
She’s one classy lady, with a heart of gold.
My second mom.
Thomas Rydder said:
That sounds like one very special lady, Tim…God bless her, I’m betting she also kept you on your toes for quite a few years now, hmm? She comes from a time that’s dying off fast, when people knew how to do for themselves, hunting, fishing, canning goods. Bet she knows how to do that, too. Reminds me quite a bit of my grandmother.
Now…let’s talk a bit about that I.D. story…..:)
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T. W. Dittmer said:
She’s a grand lady, and yes she had a big garden and canned the produce from it.
Sorry, Thomas, but my wife has already told me that the ID story is not to be told. 🙂
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puiyinlab said:
This is like a sweet memoir.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
A wonderful woman.
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robincoyle said:
What a lovely tribute to your mother-in-law. You don’t see/read that very often. Will you let her read this? Or will she disapprove of how hard you tried to get her daughter out of her clothes? Tee hee.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
She’s been good to me. I don’t think she’ll ever read this, but don’t think it would surprise her one bit to hear how hard I was trying to get in her daughter’s pants. 🙂
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Britt Skrabanek said:
Aww, I love this so much! I am very fortunate to have an amazing mother-in-law as well. She is truly my second mom. Initially, I was slightly terrified to meet mine because my hubby and I had already been married for four years and it was hard to imagine what was in store for me. I was pleasantly surprised. I believe the more family we have, the better! : )
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T. W. Dittmer said:
It’s pretty special to have that kind of relationship with a mother-in-law, I think.
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Britt Skrabanek said:
Agreed.
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Kozo said:
Tim,
Beautifully written. Although June may never read this, I’m sure she knows how you feel. Like you said, “she’s never been dense.”
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bodhisattvaintraining said:
that’s a nice story 🙂 and yeah, I’d like to know just how young your wife was!!
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Thanks, Annie. She read the post last night and punched me in the arm. 😉
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bodhisattvaintraining said:
Yeah I probably would have done that too 🙂
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Stan R. Mitchell said:
Nice post, Tim. Incredibly written. And I’m glad I now know a little dirt on you for when you make it big.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Thanks, Stan. Oh…. like most people, I’ve got my secrets. 😉
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elroyjones said:
You have the good fortune of great in-laws; lovely post.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Hey you. Thanks. 🙂
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Rosalie Squires said:
Really lovely. And the early part reminds me a bit of a situation amongst some of my relatives. Unfortunately, as far as my knowledge goes, that was never so well resolved.
There is profound wisdom in lovingly accepting people we don’t naturally like.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
I’m really not sure how it happened, but we’re pretty close now. She’s the only person I willingly hug at family get-togethers.
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letizia said:
Oh, Tim, you’re such a wonderful storyteller! Such a beautiful telling of your story with this fascinating woman and you really had me laughing at times!
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Thanks so much. I really didn’t do her justice. 🙂
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Maddie Cochere said:
This is a really nice tribute, Tim. You mother-in-law is an amazing woman, and I’m glad she warmed up to you. There was a bit of a grip on my heart when I read, “June stood by me when I was a hurtin’ unit, just about to go down in flames.” I guess we all have our stories, but I’m surprised at times by how much I care about my blogger friends. Glad you came out on the other side of it. … And what’s this I read today about you not being the hugging kind? What?!! I hoped to meet you one day and give you a big ole hug and plant a sloppy one on your cheek. 🙂
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T. W. Dittmer said:
June is a great lady, Maddie. I had to say something about her… just had to.
The blogging sphere and the friends you make is a world unto itself. I know you’ve been hammering away at NaNoWriMo, but am anxious to have you back.
Take care of yourself.
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danniehill said:
What a great story, Tim. I know I’d like to meet June. My Mom is 83 and sound much the same. Some people just know how to live. I was touched by her standing by you in a time of trouble. It’s hard to find people like that!
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Rara avis. She’s a rare bird.
Thanks for stopping by, Dannie. Peace.
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runoffwriter said:
Hey, Tim~ I think you absolutely should make a point of showing this to your second mom. I’ll bet she’s an old softie inside and will weep like a baby, and you’ll share a “moment.” Worked with my father-in-law, anyway…
Secondly, thanks for the follow and the likes! I really respect your work so it means a lot to me that you took the time to explore my pages. All the best!
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T. W. Dittmer said:
June’s a grand lady. I really didn’t do her justice.
Your stuff is really good. I mean, REALLY good.
I don’t do quid pro quo or tit for tat. If I see something I like, I say so.
My best to you, too. Hoping to read more of your work.
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runoffwriter said:
Well, that just made my night! I hear you on avoiding the quid pro quo- that whole practice seems a little pointless to me.
Anyway, very glad you enjoyed reading- thanks again!
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sweetmother said:
this is a great piece, my friend. a truly great piece. xo, sm
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Thanks so much. Glad you liked it.
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sweetmother said:
🙂
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asklotta said:
What a lovely lady…I loved your humor as you describe June! Especially loved how appreciative you are to a mother who is not your biological mother!
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eden baylee said:
I’m happy your recent post pointed me here Tim. Your mother -in-law was an incredible woman in so many ways. I’m glad you had so many years with her as your second mom. xox eden
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T. W. Dittmer said:
She certainly was incredible, and she was my second mom. Thanks, Eden.
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neihtn2012 said:
Wonderful account of your mother-in-law, Tim! She is a great lady.
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T. W. Dittmer said:
Yes, Hien, a great lady from the greatest generation.
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