38 | SUNRAYS MAY 2014
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Mom and Dad Stories
Editor’s Note:
With Mother’s and Father’s Day shortly upon us, a few Sun City
Texas residents decided to share some of their favorite Mom and Dad moments—from
stories about their parents to being new grandparents themselves, as well as those
who helped neighboring parents with their children. To all of the Moms and Dads
out there, kudos! Have a happy Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
“Love you, Dad!”
My dad was the greatest! Dad was born
December 15, 1909, in Ashland, Wiscon-
sin, the son of Swedish immigrants. Dad
had a call upon his life at a very young
age. He never wavered from that call,
not one time. A man of great faith, his
desire and passion was to serve his God.
His love and devotion for his family was
what I was so privileged to experience.
My mother was the love of his life—he
treated her like a queen. In the latter
part of their 66 years of marriage, he
exemplified that love by visiting Mom
every day in the nursing home where she
resided. He sat beside her, hours on end.
He held her hand, sang to her and read
to her because she was blind. They would
laugh and talk and reminisce about the
good times and the difficult times.
Since pastors were not paid much, we
never had monetary riches, but we were
always rich because we were loved un-
conditionally and given the example of
faith, honesty, integrity, hard work and
fun. The older I get the more I appreciate
my upbringing! The love my parents had
for their God, each other, their family
and the people they served is immeasur-
able. Dad was still conducting chapel
services at the local nursing home until
a few months before he passed away, at
the age of 91. What a legacy he left for
me and my children. I am one fortunate
gal! Love you, Dad!
—Marsi Benson, N52
True Love
My dad died from cancer at the age of 79.
Just moments before he died he asked
for a pencil and paper from my mother.
My parents were always close, but as I
picked up the paper, I noticed that his
last words to my mother were “I love
you.”
—Diane Cajka, N24B1
A Wonderful Birthday Surprise!
It was January 21, 1998; I was in a hurry to open the school library. I had
a substitute teacher on one side of me wanting instructions for the day, and
students on my other side clamoring for attention. When the phone rang, it
seemed it was the last straw. On the line was my daughter who said, “Mom,
I have an early birthday present for you and her name is Margaret Julia.”
I was flabbergasted. My first grandchild and she was born on my birthday!
What a special birthday present and what a special girl.
The photo is Grandma and Granddaughter on a trip to Paris in 2008.
— Valerie Weis, N14
