Happy 80th Birthday Mom

Happy Birthday Mom.

We celebrate your life and the love you gave us.

We love you very much and miss you so.

All our love,


Nancy and Joe

In Memory of Mary Joan Miller - May 26, 1928 to May 5, 2008

Mother passed on from this life on May 5th.

Mary Joan Farr was born and raised in Greens Fork, Indiana and remained in this area her entire life. From humble beginnings, she wasn’t one to long for far-off places.

Born into an already large family, she often spoke of the tenderness her parents exhibited towards each other. She told us how her mother and dad never raised their voices to each other, but how they were stern with discipline and that they instilled in each of them a strong work ethic.

She shared stories of how they made ends meet and how they helped her and dad out even as an adult.

Mom enjoyed her childhood and she loved all her brothers and sisters. She had happy memories and often spoke of their childhood escapades. I’ll just mention one or two.

She didn’t care for anyone being mean to the little ones. She would get upset when Aunt Betty would pull Scharlene’s hair and hit her on the head with a hairbrush because she squirmed and cried while getting her hair combed.

More than once she told me how she begged Grandma Farr to let her hold Uncle Bob when he was born. She was only 5 and she promised not to hurt him. Granny set her in the sun and she held him as long as they would let her. She recalled how warm the sun was and how she just loved holding him as a little baby.

As kids, Mom and her brothers and sisters would play along the crick and under the bridge, or scavenge for treasure at the dump. As little children, Mom and Uncle Leon had real worries about their house catching on fire. They had a plan and talked about how they could build a house out of a couple of the trees and live real well. She looked to Leon for protection from a harmless milk cow as they crossed a fence on their way home.

Mom hated to be cold – more than once she would talk about how cold the home place was. About how many kids had to sleep in the bed, two or three at the top and another couple at the foot. I remember that she hated the thought of feet in her face, but she could recall every detail of those long nights trying to find a way to get comfortable.

Mom wasn’t a champagne and caviar kind of lady – she preferred a good cup of coffee and a card game, bon-fire or weenie roast.

The greatest gift you could ever give her was a shovel full of hardy flowers. Any where she could find a spot of dirt, she would plant them. She told me more than once “it’ll grow” and she was right. Mom was happiest in her garden and with her flowers. They were her passion.

A strong person, physically and mentally, she worked hard for every penny she ever made – never being paid what she was worth. But she persevered.

Mom knew about life’s difficulties, especially the loss of her first born son, Joey, at the age of 7 months. She had a difficult time adjusting to this loss.

There is so much more I could talk about, but mom would want me to mention the kindness and generosity of her dear friend and sister-in-law Martha Carlin. Martha was a treasured confidant. Mom often told me how Martha took care of Joey while she had to work, never asking for a penny. Martha you will never know what this meant to her, or how grateful she was for the tender care you showed him.

More sweet childhood memories came as she would recall play time with her friend, Fola Meadows. Fola and Fola’s Uncle Frank were sweet memories for her. They maintained a friendship that lasted over several decades. Thank you Fola.

When Uncle Leon married Florence, mom’s life was enriched tremendously. What a treasure we have in Florence – she was a dear, dear friend and huge source of support. Providing hours of phone calls to see what she was doing, and for the tender care she provided when mom was sick and we weren’t there. We cannot possibly thank her for her tenderness. Thank you for all the love and generosity you showed our mother. We are forever grateful and you are loved.

Soon after Mom met our dad they married – raising another 6 children to adulthood – some of us a little longer (especially me). Not only did she raise her children, but she helped us raise our children.

Especially when I moved to Texas – she and dad kept Heather and Lisa for 4 months so they could finish the school year. They were well beyond the years where you should be getting lunch money, homework and school books ready for the next day. They shouldn’t have had to get up and get kids off to school. I will be forever grateful as this move changed my life.

Since retirement, Joe and I had the gift of time with mom. What wonderful memories we and the kids have. We will recall them fondly for the rest of our lives. Our trip to Alaska, special times with the great grandkids, making cakes and cookies, teaching Peyton and Justin to play cards, letting them paint and do crafts.

I want to thank Heather and Mike, and Lisa and 'Eimh'in for their visits – for spending time with Grandma - and for the tender love ya'll gave to her.

I send thanks to our family and friends for their love and the friendship they showed to mom. Thanks to everyone who brought food when she was so very sick. We appreciate your generosity and kindness during a very tough time.

A very special thanks to my husband, Joe, for loving mom so much. I am forever grateful.

Thanks also to everyone who sends their love. So many folks are having their own health issues – so please do take care.

Dancing with the Stars

Peyton and Justin showing Great Grandma Miller their latest dance moves.

Easter Egg Hunt and Cupcake Bake at Great Grandma Miller's House

2008 3/14 Justin and Peyton

Our visit with Justin and Peyton was long overdue.

They really have grown and they are big fellas now.

They couldn't wait to show us how well they could play their new video game that uses wireless guitars. They love the Rock 'n Roll and someday they will be amazing guitar players - for the present though, they really did well and they were so cute to watch!

Mimi and Papaw tried to play it with them but they let us know straight away that we were just awful at this game! Go figure.

2008 3/03 Back Home Again - In Indiana

We endured the long 3-leg journey from New Zealand, via Tahiti to the States. We were so glad to be off that plane!

We arrived just in time to experience a major ice storm and subsequent snow event which pretty well shut things down around the area. We managed to loose power only once for a couple of hours - so we were lucky considering others in the area were without power for 4 days.

Our luck played out with the weather, and also with the car. No, it started without a hitch - it was a fender bender! We managed to drive for 5 months on the left side of the road through thousands of miles in Australia and New Zealand without a hitch. As soon as we get in the car to go visit Justin and Peyton, stopped at a stop sign waiting for traffic to clear so we could make a turn, BAM! A pick-up truck in front of us decided to back into the front of our car and buckle the hood and break the hood latch. After plenty of phone calls and a couple of estimates, we have a check in hand for the repairs and will be off to the body shop on Monday. It just had to be.....

We have managed to get the Bus out of storage. It started like a champ and all seems to be working as we left it. Over the next couple of weeks we'll get the old gal restocked and hit the road heading for warmer weather. We've promised to stay in Indiana long enough to watch the boys during Spring Break so Heather and Mike can take a mini-vacation to Gattlinburg. They deserve a break too.

As soon as we've fulfilled that commitment we'll head South for annual appointments - then back to the midwest - if the weather cooperates.

2008 3/02 NZ, Auckland Hike

Our last day in New Zealand absolutely had to include a hike.

Richard and Liz and their friends, Paul and Barbara invited us to join them on a hike along the beach outside Auckland to the beachside town of Karekare. With daypacks on our backs and hiking boots (some more worn than others) laced to our feet, we were ready to set-out! The walk took about 4 hours and we really enjoyed taking in the beautiful coastline one last time. We had a great day even though the weather was overcast and we were sprinkled on a couple of times. The scenery was grand and nothing could dampen our spirits - it was a great way to end our trip - hiking again with our Kiwi friends!

Here are a few photos from our day - Richard wading through the stream, the group taking a breather on the beach, Liz emptying water out of her boots.