This last day of May I want to share a tribute poem I wrote for my mom on her 75th 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.
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