May Ends Today With A Tribute Poem to Mom

Larada Horner-Miller

2 weeks ago

Mom Celebrating her 75th birthday - tribute poem — Mom Celebrating her 75th birthday

This last day of May I want to share a tribute poem I wrote for my mom on her 75^th birthday. Not everyone writes a tribute poem for their mother, but I had to for this occasion. Turning 75 seemed like a big deal then, and much bigger deal today as I’m 72.

How the Poem was Presented

My nieces and nephew read it to us. So, it was a poem in three voices. Mom loved it. The variety of their voices made the poem come alive in a different way. Poetry is meant to be read alive, and it showed

A Tribute Poem to Mom

Here’s Your Life, Elva Marie Dickerson Horner

Summer, 2003

February 13, 1919, a young couple rode
     horseback
          to marry
               Virgil & Tresia
Nine months later, Willa Lee came
Nine years later, Elva Marie was born
     on September 24, 1928.

Your story starts here!

Youngest child,
Dirt floors in your home,
Ma and Pa close
Violin lessons
Donald Lujan called you “Squeaky.”

A move to Raton when you were
     in the eighth grade.
In high school you hung out with
     The country kids
          from Johnson Mesa.
You went to see the play Othello
     and were mystified.
Hughie and Willie were married
     and along came Janet.
     You played with her like a doll.

And you loved to dance.
     A certain cowboy caught your eye
          at a dance.
You noticed his different dance style.

At the Robin Hood
     in Raton, New Mexico,
He crossed the dance floor
     toward you.
You knew he was going to ask you
     to dance,
          you panicked.
And the romance of a lifetime started
     with Harold Horner.

You dated:
     you danced!
You got thrown out of the Crystal Lounge
     because you were underage,
But he returned
     when you turned 21.

You were married on August 28, 1951
     in Raton, New Mexico.
Your married life that would span
     45 years had begun.
You immediately became stepmother
     to three small children:
          Fred, Larraine, and Sue.

As newlyweds you moved in with
     Harold's parents in Branson, Colorado
          to experience a small town
               tradition—Chevarier
     Short sheet the beds,
     Remove labels oﬀ of all
          the canned goods,
     A wheelbarrow ride for the bride

Your first home was bought from
     the Stevensons—
          Lock, stock, and barrel.

On May 25, 1952,
     Harold Virgil arrived;
On June 27, 1953,
     Teresa Larada appeared
— 13 months later!

Your family intact!

Lots of life happened in that small
     country town through the years.
The children grew—
     Dad remembers coming home
          From La Junta and caught you
          In the rocking chair
          With the baby in each arm.
Your arms were numb!

You painted bright red lips
     for Larada's thin lips.
You spanked us with a wooden spoon.
You shampooed our hair
     And sculpted it to stand up
          Straight and tall.

Bub caught his hand
     In the washing machine wringer—
You ran next door to Edna Fry
     For help.

School filled the fall and winter
     With basketball, dances, and
          Cheerleading.
Spring was calving, baseball,
     And branding.
Summer was Little League, horses,
     4H, and our county fair,
Our one family vacation every year.

And lots of children at our house
     Because you made them feel
          So welcome!

Marriages—Lela joined our family!

Nine grandchildren came
     Connie, Andy, Cheryl,
     Jeﬀ, Wade, Ellen,
     Jason, Travis, and Blake

Eleven great grandchildren,
     and one on the way.

You cherish family gatherings,
     And holidays.
Granddad Horner loved to have family
Gatherings at our house because of
     Your cooking and hospitality!

After Granddad Horner died,
     You became Dad's right hand man,
     Able to do anything on the ranch—
     You worked hard!

You and Dad enjoyed a remarkable
     Relationship of shared interest:
          You danced, traveled,
          Work together, and loved people.

You lovingly cared for Dad
     To the end—
And you have taken care of yourself
     These last few years admirably

Your interests vary.

You're an avid sports fan
     Of all the Branson sports;
You yelled loudly at basketball games
     With Mary Arguello.
You now sit in the same place every game
     With Doris Goﬀ.

You have been involved in the Branson
     Home Demonstration Club,
          Now Craft Club
     And Community Club
Working in PTA for many years,
     You helped start the annual
          junior high basketball tournament.

In the 70s,
     You got interested in genealogy
          And have researched both
               The Dickerson and
                    Horner sides extensively.

Girlfriends have been a part of
     Your life forever—
          Ellin Berry in high school;
          Clara Warner, Nancy Salas,
          and Mokey McMillan
     Years ago;
          Helen Waldroup, Betty Clark,
               And Rose Ward now.

You were baptized
     And are a faithful member of
          Des Moines Methodist Church,
     Attending every Sunday
          With Bill & Janet.

All of us have evidence
     Of your beautiful handiwork:
          Afghans, quilts,
               Christmas ornaments,
                    And so much more.

In 1999, we took a trip
     To Eastern Europe
     To find information
          about your great grandfather—
               It was a trip of a lifetime.

Often when we are with you,
     We get the privilege of
          Hearing your laughter,
               So rich and inviting
          Seeing your eyes twinkle.

Here are some memories
     That make your blue eyes sparkle:
The first time Harold Horner asked
     You to dance
Connie making milkshakes with you
     And it ended up on the floor
Andy looking through the Remington
     Cowboy book together with you
          And making up stories
Cheryl drawing the
     "God don't make Junk" picture
          for you
     And you sitting the whole time
     watching
          her draw.
     You still have it on your refrigerator.
The twins loved going to the trailer
     And playing baseball with you.

Mom, what a wonderful life
     We celebrate today —
          75 glorious years!

Pictures from the Celebration!

Let’s End!

What a lovely day it was! And here you have had the opportunity to get to know my mom today and throughout the month of May.

A tribute poem etched out her life with bits and pieces but there was more! Reading it now, I remember so much more! I hope you enjoyed it.

What a joy and treat this had been so share my mom with you!

SALE FIRST WEEK OF JUNE: Was It A Dream?: Navigating Life’s Journey Through Poetryy E-book is $.99 from June 1 – 8. Don’t miss this sale. Click on the title and grabbed it today!