There are many memories I have of my mom. Some good, some bad, but all special. One thing that my mom taught me was how to survive in the toughest conditions. She had lived in various cabin style homes throughout my brother and my childhood years. Some of which had no running water, limited electricity, and the bathroom facilities were outside. I have shared my experiences with these homes with friends and they have often wondered if the outdoor facility was a "honey bucket" bathroom. Oh, now that would have been luxury compared to what we had. We actually had real out houses with wooden doors, floors and seats. At one of the homes up in the mountain in Colville, we even had a bear that liked to use the path to our bathroom as his bathroom. Unpleasant, yes. Ironic, definitely! We had bats fly into our home, badgers run across our path, and a snake or two to scare the wits out of me! Looking back at these memories I can't help but laugh. I wonder how in the world I will be able to give our children these same kind of crazy wonderful experiences. We learned so much from our mom. She will be missed, but always remembered.
The most vivid memory I will keep of your mom is her voice. I didn't get to spend much time with her "in person", but we did talk on the phone every so often. Her voice was so distinctive to me in that I could just *hear* a mischievous, warm energy that communicated through the phone line from thousands of miles away. I am so sorry for your loss, and so grateful you all had each other through the struggles and the joys.
ReplyDeleteI will ALWAYS remember your mom's sausage biscuits & gravy. Its one of the reasons I wanted to stay over at your house all the time... that and the AWESOME tree house. Your mom had a tremendous free spirit. I admire how she craved adventure, even if it was just living in a cabin in the woods and how she always survived by her wits regardless of what life had in store for her. She will be missed, and I hope that God heals your family’s hearts and you find peace in her passing. I love you, Marney, and my heart is breaking for you.
ReplyDeleteI met your mom a couple of times; most recently this last summer @ Seth and Emilys rental place in Scappoose.
ReplyDeleteNancy was a friendly, outgoing soul who would talk your ear off if you let her. A very proud parent who could not sing the praises of her children enough. Always quick with a kind word or complement. These are the memories I have of Nancy.
Rich Welch
My most distinct memory of Nancy was on Gold Cup Mountain in a cabin. I had accompanied Marney as a child up a long, windy road to the cabin. Even as small-town country kids, THIS was an adventure! The donkies, the woods, the cozy little cabin... I can still vividly picture our trip. As others have said, Nancy was a free spirit and she helped develop the lives of her two extraordinary children. Now she has taken off her heavy yoke of life and is experiencing freedom in a way we can only imagine.
ReplyDeleteI am the proud father of Marney and Seth. Even though Nancy and I did not stay married long, we still kept in touch and shared many events and stories of our children. I am thankful that Nancy inspired Marney and Seth to be adventorous and outgoing. She was always encouraging all of us to get out in the outdoors and enjoy nature.
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for the love she gave to all of us. She welcomed people into her home and always made sure they were comfortable.
I first met Nancy at the old Student Union Building at Eastern Washington University. I was somewhat social but pretty much a loner. Nancy introduced me to a mass of people and brought me out of my shell.
I carry around many good memories of the early days when Marney and Seth were growing up and I will treasure them, just as I treasure the moments going forward with my children and grand children.
I am proud of Marney and Seth and thankful to their Aunt Mary for being so very caring and thoughtful during the last month's difficult times.
"All we need is love"
Doug Hooper
Marney and Seth,
ReplyDeleteWhile I never met your Mother, I know she was a special lady to have raised two such ethical, wonderful, accomplished children. I have had the pleasure of working with both of you and getting to know you and your families personally. I was saddened to hear she was taken from you so soon. My deepest sympathy to you both. She is now enjoying the beautiful outdoors of Heaven. Patti Dahl
One story I want to add on is of the summer we spent up at Gold Cup. My mom often “cabin sat” for people over a summer or a point in time that the owner needed someone at the cabin or mom was in need of residence for the time and found these wonderful places to rent. I really don’t know how she found these places, but they were amazing.
ReplyDeleteJennifer shared her story with us all and I wanted to share some more. One thing that didn’t get in her story was where the tub was located. The bathtub was out side, on the edge of a hill that overlooked a valley of nothing but gorgeous trees. Not a soul in site. The tubs water supply came from a large metal drum that was positioned over a spot to build a fire. The water that filled this drum came from a natural spring up above. To get warm water, you would build a fire underneath the drum. The tub was then filled with the warm water. We would bathe with just the glory of God’s sunshine and surroundings around us. As a child, this was such an amazing experience.
I remember often thinking “what if someone sees me!” Then, as I looked around, would have to laugh at such a preposterous thought since there was absolutely no one around to see me. We truly were in God’s country and it was amazing.
Another summer “home” for my mom was along the Priest River in Idaho. She lived in a tent camper and we were plugged into a “current” bush (an electric source that happened to be hidden by some brush). I remember waking up to frogs under my pillow, and “bathing” in a rock that would fill up with water down at the river. We actually had a shower (I think), but down at the river there was this rock that the top was slightly curved like a bowl. We would splash up water onto the rock and fill the bowl. The warm summer sun would warm up the water and I would spend hours playing in the water and in the river.
To some, mom may have seemed like a restless soul trying to find her place in the world. From the outside, I imagine our lifestyle looked poor compared to many riches that others had. Mom certainly had her challenges, but she was never poor in spirit, determination, or sense of adventure. The experiences that my brother and I had growing up could not be bought for any price. It took having a mom with the survival instinct that she had and adventurous spirit to give us the life we had growing up. Every day may not have been a walk in the park or a grand adventure, but the days we had like what has been described far outweigh any other memory.
We love you mom. Thank you for all that you inspired in us and others.
Love, Marney
marney i sent you a message on facebook--i grew up with your mother and she was a important part of my life ==i loved her very much and i am so sorry for your loss==she was a special lady we use to have so much fun together == i sometimes chuckle to my self how crazy we acted--i did put a message on your facebook--i just wanted you to know how sorry i am for your loss--god bless and keep you --nancy's freied emma yarnell
ReplyDeleteDear mother: After many years of wondering, and many years of unanswered questions, the why's, the thought that you could have been the one I just walked by , the thoughts of a fellow co-worker could she be you. My search has finally ended and though my heart is drenched in sadness, I find the piece of my life I was missing and now I feel whole, the hole in my soul is almost healed the questions not so many, those that remain I know will in good time be answered and I will feel closer to you. Although you did not know I was searching, you let those you knew I would need for comfort know who I was and that I was out there, that brings comfort to me that you still loved me. Now that I know your situation and where you lived and how close you were and how close our lives have been at times, and the irony that you and I knew some of the same people I find comfort that even though we were a thousand miles apart you were there. So many times I have said to myself that I just want to find her so I can tell her that I am Ok , and that we could talk and laugh and cry, so that we would both be ok. I hoped so much that I could hold you and kiss your cheek to smell your hair and to hear your voice. I feel comfort to know that you enjoyed fishing one of my favorite things to do. When I look at your picture I see my face and the type of person I have become came from you. I know some day we will be together again and rejoice to be together to hold each other hands and walk in the woods to smell the flowers and fish the rivers but until that day comes I just want you to know that after 50 years of wondering and looking and searching to find you I love you momma.
ReplyDeleteYour long lost son.
Len
Today would have been our mothers 72nd birthday, and as it has been nearly 4 years since I found you and my brother Seth and my precious sister Marney I have heard many stories from family and your friends and even my father, all of which help me to be close to you and understand you and know where a lot of the very things that made you who you were also make me who I am, there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about you. I know some day I will be reunited not only with you but my parents as well , what a glorious day that will be. Until that day comes just know that I love you and always have. Your son. Len
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