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Blessed to Have a Special Mom

By
Real Estate Agent

Today, while revisiting all the many blessings in my life, sweet memories of my mother came to mind.  So much of who we are is based on the kind of childhood we experienced. I was fortunate enough to live in a home with both my parents.

My mother was especially wonderful! My dad worked 10 minutes from home at the Western Pacific Railroad. The Western Pacific whistle would blow at 4:00 pm each afternoon, and we could hear it from our home. It signaled the end of the work day. Supper was at 4:15 each afternoon, and I could set a watch on the family routine - When Dad left for work each morning, when he would return home, when we would sit down for supper, and when Dad would walk out onto the front porch to pick up the evening paper.

Mom was the perfect 1950s style housewife and mother. Albeit, a bit prissy, but not to her detriment. Her 5 foot 2 inch frame never varied 5 pounds in weight which hovered around 105 pounds. Mom was an expert seamstress, and very practical. She often took in alterations and dress making. She created perfect things out of almost nothing. 

Our garden, especially the roses, which Mom watered along with the lawn, in her high heels, was always spectacular. The picture below is a testament to how far Mom carried her way of dress. She’s at a picnic in the woods, and that’s a suit, she is wearing, with hair perfectly coiffed, makeup on. . . And, once again, high heels!

Francie Heady - Abt. 1967
*Francie Heady enjoying a picnic in the woods.

Francie Heady 1967

Sadly, Mom passed in 1975 at age 65 from Cancer. In this photo, which was taken circa 1967, she would have been 57. 

I have very special memories of Mom, who looked very much like a younger Queen Elizabeth. I wish all children could be as blessed as I was, having her as my mother.

 

Posted by

Myrl Jeffcoat ActiveRain Signature
  

Comments(18)

George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Myrl your mother sounds like one of the wives in the early TV series.  Father Knows Best or the Nelsons come quickly to mind.

Nov 20, 2023 03:52 PM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Myrl, growing up in your traditional American family must have been such a blessing! 

I remember those American TV series with the moms who were always perfectly dressed. They were like fashion icons on the small screen, making the rest of us feel like we just rolled out of bed in our pajamas.

Nov 20, 2023 04:04 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Myrl,

I love the photos of your mom in your traditional family of the 1950's. I still remember my dad coming home from work in his top coat and hat and the first thing he did was kiss my mom and remove his hat!

Nov 20, 2023 04:19 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Oh, what a lovely Mom you had, Myrl! I love how 'prissy' she was and got a chuckle out of the picnic photo - also in high heels! What a wonderful mother she was to you. I can't believe how young she looked at 57 - wow.

Thank you for a wonderfully heart-warming post for Novembers gratitude challenge. I enjoyed getting to know you more through your Mom.

Nov 20, 2023 06:42 PM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I too was blessed with a stay at home mother and a working father but unlike you my dad's job kept him on the road all the time. Love that your mom was always dressed to the nines Myrl Jeffcoat .

Nov 20, 2023 06:51 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Myrl- When I read your post and saw the photo of your mom, I too thought of Queen Elizabeth. This speaks volumes about the '50s. I remember my mother getting dressed in heels, etc to go downtown.   

Nov 20, 2023 07:32 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

George Souto - Yes, it really was a 1950s sitcom existence that I grew up in.

Aura Alex - I had to smile.  I can't remember the last time I wore high heels. I can remember when my mom bought her first pair of Capri pants. It must have been the late 1950s.

Dorie Dillard Austin TX - What I remember so well about those days, was how everything was a routine, that you could set a clock on.

Debe Maxwell, CRS - I sometimes look at that photo and wonder, what was she thinking.  I don't even know how you would walk through pine needles, and wooded turf in high heels.

Nov 20, 2023 08:37 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Bob "RealMan" Timm - The world seems so chaotic now.  And, it all seemed to change so quickly.  I often tell my friends (of the same age), that we were lucky to have been born when we were.

Kathy Streib - I also remember how folks would dress up to go shopping downtown.

Nov 20, 2023 08:40 PM
Bill Salvatore - East Valley
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

Wonderful reflection of your mom.  i lost mine 40 years ago. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your week!

Bill Salvatore, Realtor- Arizona Elite Properties

Nov 21, 2023 03:59 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Myrl. Your post brings back so many memories of my youth with my mom. While she would not be classified as a "prissy", she was so close with a little latitude she would qualify. She would get dressed up to go into the backyard and talk to the neighbors over the fence. The 50's was such a different place in time. Enjoy your day.

Nov 21, 2023 04:08 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Being thankful for our parents, in this case mom, is truly a wonderful thing! Thank you for sharing your memories.

Nov 21, 2023 04:52 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Myrl... what a lovely tribute to your Mom (who did resemble Queen Elizabeth). Sad she died so young. Your description of your Mom made me think that we could all benefit if there were more mothers like yours today.

Nov 21, 2023 05:13 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, Myrl, for sharing some of your fond memories.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Nov 21, 2023 05:20 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Myrl Jeffcoat - I can feel all your love and affection for your mom Francie.  Some of us were able to grow up in a traditional family atmosphere.  You are blessed to have had that growing up.  You are so right about her looking like Queen Elizabeth.  I thought Francie looked familiar.  Thank you for helping me solve that puzzle. 

Nov 21, 2023 04:27 PM
Patricia Feager, ABR,CRS,GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Myrl Jeffcoat - Your story could become a family favorite movie. I loved everything about it and your mom was a classic woman with poise and grace! I rarely saw my mom without her apron tied around her waist. I could almost hear the sound of the whistle bringing your dad home for supper. Although my dad did not work for the RR he was a working man and when he came home I could set the time of 6:00 PM sharp without a clock or watch. Dinner time was taken seriously.

Your mother was so beautiful with so many extraordinary traits. I expecially love her sitting on the ground by her roses in that gorgeous dress, not a hair out of place, wearing high heels! It is easy for me to understand how much you admired her. This tribute to. your mom is extra special. I am so glad you shared it. It is beautifully written! 

Dec 03, 2023 06:41 AM
Patricia Feager, ABR,CRS,GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Myrl Jeffcoat - you're mom was definetely beautiful and special. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree and you inherited both. 

Dec 21, 2023 07:02 AM
Steffy Hristova
HomeSmart Elite Group Tempe AZ Tel: 602.710.8161 - Tempe, AZ
Tempe AZ Realtor - Your Home Close to Your Work!

Myrl, Your story brought memories of my childhood and the routine we had about family meals. Life was not as hurried, and we all sat at the table together.

I loved the look and poise of your Mom. I am sure she taught you a lot of things, and this happy childhood you had is an inspiration for you, for your kids and grandkids

Dec 27, 2023 12:54 PM
Gloria Todor
Premier Property Sales & Rentals - Springfield, PA
& Doug Durren (484) 431-3686 in SE PA

Myrl, Our mothers leave such an impression on us.  I love the fact that she was able to do everything in heels, just like Ginger Rogers did, dancing backwards with Fred Astaire.

Hope all is well.  Happy Spring!

Mar 27, 2024 08:11 AM