My parents celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in May. All of their 11 children and most of their sons/daughters in law and grandchildren were in attendance. My mom's sisters and brother also made the long trek up to Langley for the party.
On Saturday, all the adults went to the temple for a session then the youth all did baptisms in the afternoon. It was the first time in 50 years that my mother had been in the temple with her brother and sisters. There is something sweet and tender being in the temple with so much family.
That evening we had a big party at their clubhouse. We made a Thai dinner and participated in tribute/talent show for my parents. I was awed by the legacy of love, faith and service my parents have built for their family. There were many laughs, joyful tears and a small glimpse of eternity as we spent time together.
I have to boast about my AMAZING sister in law, Ashley. She worked for months to prepare a special photo book that chronicles the last 50 years. Then she worked her heart out planning, decorating and helping out with EVERYTHING while trying to deal with a tired and cranky 1 year old. The party would never have turned out as well without her phenomenal talents. I have to applaud everyone for taking on tasks and working together so mom and dad didn't have to lift a finger. It's no small feat to keep my mom away from the work. :)
My uber talented sister, Maria, wrote an original song for my parents. She had Sarah and Ardie on harmonies, back up guitar and piano. They passed out tambourines and shakers... it was pure awesomeness!
Here are the words: (I hope to have a CD of this soon.)
Anniversary Song: 50 years
and counting
Mamma
grew up in a tiny town
With
a grocery store and lots of cows around
Prettiest
girl of the Glenwood Three
She’s
been workin’ hard since 1940
That’s
a trait that didn’t pass to me
But
she’s my family
Well
she grew up tall and she grew up tough
She
knows how to call a fool-man’s bluff
Shoots
her marbles straight through the pearly gate
She’s
a country-born, farm-boy’s dream
Oh, she’s my family
Oh, on my family tree
I’m her progeny
She, She’s my family
Daddy grew up north of Tennessee,
West
of Iowa, south of Calgary
Born
a man, yeah he’s full of sand
He can run off bears with his own two hands
Handsomest
man in any land
He’s
my family
Well
he grew up wise and he grew up strong
He
can walk as far day is long
He
can fix your tooth, he can weed your beans
He’s
a country-born, farm-girl’s dream
Oh, he’s my family
Oh, on my family tree
I’m his progeny
He, he’s my family
We grew up in the prettiest place
Where you walk at night and never carry mace
We were raised on spam, we were raised on love
We were taught to pray up to God above.
And if Monday night tends end in fights,
Well we’re a family
We were raised on love, we were raised up right
We could can a peach, we can take a hike.
We’re a noisy band, yeah we’re the Burnham Clan
We’re a family.
Oh, We’re the family
Of Ron and Shirley
We’re their progeny
We, we’re a family
Here are a few of my favorite candid shots...
(totally candid) ha ha
The Glenwood Clan together again.
Sunday morning, before church, wonder-woman Ashley staged us for family pictures. ( my sister in law Tracy's dad helped out too.)
The noisy band, Burnham Clan!
Most of Ron and Shirley's progeny. (Missing: Donna, Jon, little Shirley, Larry, Rebecca, Sarah, Meg, Erik, Lizzie, Josh, Sam,Alex, Alex11, Tasha (Ian and Cache), Kat, Julia, Isaac, Gid, Bella, Angel and Ryan.)
Grandpa and Grandma with 14 of their 31 grandchildren. Also missing their first great grandson, Cache.
I treasure the memories we created that weekend and all the memories of my childhood. I look forward to the eternities with these wonderful people!
