dear mom,

I grew some little bites of sunshine.

And since I don't eat them, I need some help.

Please come over.

Love,

Rachel

poppy & grandma lynk's

Yesterday I went with my mom and Ethan to visit my mom's parents, "Grandma & Grandpa Lynk". Growing up, I called my grandpa "Poppy". They live in eastern New York, about four hours from where I grew up. I used to spend a week or so with my grandparents every summer when I was younger, but as our family got bigger and Dad starting farming full time, it was increasingly difficult to get away in the summer. Our visits dwindled to every other Thanksgiving and every December for "Lynk Christmas". As Grandma & Grandpa got older, Thanksgiving and Lynk Christmas were moved to Uncle Tom & Aunt Heidi's - which means, sadly, it had been about 5 years since I'd been to Lynkholm Farms.

The drive there is absolutely beautiful:

gorgeous hills

awesome barns & silos dotting the landscape

& the ADKs on the horizon!

Then we arrived at Lynk Road in Sharon Springs.

Pulling onto this dirt road, I can still hear Robert's 6-year old voice: "Can I walk from here?!" I can see Uncle James & Aunt Georgia's house from the end of the road, and when we get around the curve, I see Grandma and Grandpa's.

As we get closer, the cows greet us with slightly curious stares, as they always have.

We pull into the driveway, and I see something new: a wheelchair ramp. Grandma comes to the door to greet us, like she's done for at least the past 25 years. But Poppy is no longer able to greet us with bear hugs and whiskered kisses. We walk into what used to be the dining room and say hi to Grandpa, who returns our greeting from his bed. Pokey, the dog they've had for years, wags his tail and haltingly gets to his feet. We all sit in Grandpa's room, laughing at old stories about Mom punching a kid in 4th grade, reminiscing about Great Grandma's famous sayings ("If you don't have anything to do out at the barn, I've got plenty for you to do in the house!"), updating Grandma and Grandpa about various happenings on Excelsior Farms...

Our visit is too short, but Grandpa needs to rest. Pokey slowly settles his tired body back on the floor at the foot of Grandpa's bed. I give Grandpa a gentle hug and kiss goodbye. Before we leave, he tells Mom they've got three new heifers, and I know his heart is out there in the barn, in the pasture, on the farm...

mother's wisdom

Happy Mother's Day!

I found myself looking at the cookbook my mom made for me this morning, reflecting on the love & wisdom of mothers.

Before I was even engaged, I told my mom jokingly that the only thing I wanted from her for my wedding was a cookbook with all her recipes. Well, Mom took that to heart and at my shower a couple years later, she presented me with this. Beautiful cross-stitched cover, recipes typed and organized, with personal touches throughout. Fun stories behind recipes, Bible verses, family favorites, inside jokes...

One of my favorite pages, with pearls of wisdom my mother has offered throughout the years:

What are some of your mothers' wise sayings that you grew up with?

These are the 10 that my mom included in the cookbook:

1. If you always put it away, you always know where it is. (Or, the variation of this, "A place for everything, and everything in its place!")

2. Always look in your oven before you preheat it.

3. Make your bed every day.

4. Clean as you go.

5. Never go empty-handed.

6. Parsley is your friend. (This was another adaptable one, the more common dinner time reminder being "Veggies are your friend.")

7. Think backwards (whenever we were trying to remember where we'd put something!).

8. Do it nice, or do it twice.

9. Be a blessing.

10. When in doubt, improvise.

To the wisest, most loving woman I know - Happy Mother's Day, Mom.

to the best woman i know

Oscar Wilde said,

"All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy."

I could only hope to endure such a "tragedy".

I love you, Mom.

Happy birthday.

love & devotion

Today is my parents' 27th anniversary!

Here are some fun stories about my parents - some my memories, some theirs:

-My parents met at Cornell, where my Mom & her girlfriends lived in the apartment above Dad & his friends.
-When my dad was wooing my mom, he would bake her treats and write her notes on the napkin.
-My mom and her friends used to steal packages that Grandma sent Dad, because they knew they contained cookies!
-After they got married, my parents lived in Sodus, NY with their awesome dog, Sukie.
-Three years after they got married, my mom told my dad that she was pregnant (with me!), and my dad started jumping up and down in excitement.
-When I was approximately 10 (give or take a couple years), I remember a specific instance where my dad came in from doing farm work and had picked a bouquet of wildflowers for my mom.
-Throughout the summer, on "Mom's Monday Off," she would often walk to wherever my dad was out working, with a canteen full of ice water for him.
-Mom's birthday is a few days before Dad's. A year or two ago, Dad presented my mom with a quirky Star Trek card, and when she opened it, she was really confused -- because she had purchased the same card for his birthday!
-When I was in high school, our church started a Saturday night service, and my parents led worship for it. I loved seeing them leading praises together.
-My parents are just an awesome team. They are both really hard workers, and watching them collaborate on various farm projects is always neat - even in the midst of frustrating, blazing hot days plotting out an orchard when your teenage daughter drives the 4-wheeler into the pond.
-One evening at dinner when I was young, my dad was blessing the meal and thanked God for his children, and "especially" his "sweet, dolly wife" - I realized, "My dad loves my mom more than us kids!" I interrogated him about this seemingly unfair favoritism, and he told me I'd understand one day when I got married. True.

Mom & Dad -
Thank you so much for being an example of a loving, Christ-centered marriage. Your devotion to one another and willingness to work through trials (read: your five children) is inspiring. Now that I'm married, I appreciate even more everything you've taught me, both in your instruction and through your lives.
I love you guys so much. Happy 27th anniversary!

happy mother's day

A woman of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her.

She works with eager hands.

She provides food for her family.

She sets about her work vigorously.

She opens her arms to the poor;

she extends her hands to the needy.

She is clothed with strength and dignity.

She speaks with wisdom;

faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household;

she does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

"Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all."

-adapted from Proverbs 31

Happy Mother's Day to the woman who surpasses all other women.

I love you, Mom.

better late than never...

I realized that I didn't do a birthday post for my beloved mother, who has spent the past 24 years of her life devoted to her children. (Just so everyone doesn't think I'm totally heartless - I didn't forget her birthday; I did call!)

Dear Mom - you saucy minx,

I'm sorry that I didn't post this on your birthday.

I don't know too many moms who would break into pools with their daughters, make kitchen rock n' roll bands, or sit through PTA meetings while "Paula Zanheiser" is on the loose.

Encourager, companion, confidante, accomplice, etc. - you're the best mom in the world.

Love always,

your Pigaletto

"You're my mom, you're my friend, you're my cousin - you're everyone!"

mom & emily's day

We went home for Mother's Day and Emily's birthday - both on Sunday. I took a lot of pictures.

Doug & I went for a walk and fed the horses.

Robert's dirtbike provided a little excitement on Saturday afternoon. Ethan's driving in this pic.

We all took turns jumping on the rope swing - here's Jayne.

Dad ups the ante...

Jayne riding "Sugar"...

The birthday girl takes a turn.

Mom arranging flowers for Emily's birthday dinner...

Robert.

Delicious birthday/Mother's Day meal, prepared by Dad - steak kabobs!

A glorious weekend at the Bannister homestead!

happy mother's day

This might seem funny, but in writing this, I first tried to think of everything Mom does that annoys me. I thought it would be funny to make a list of these “annoying” things, and then contradict myself by writing about how they actually reflect on what an amazing mother she is. Unfortunately, the only thing I could think of is the fact that she loves to sporadically put butterscotch chips in chocolate chip cookies. They’re called chocolate chip cookies for a reason!

Wait – I just thought of another thing. I’m not sure how thrilled she’ll be to have me talking about this on the Internet, but oh well. That’s what kids are for – public embarrassment. Here it is: my mom doesn’t need to wear deodorant! Seriously, how is it possible that this woman does not smell? Maybe this is weird or gross to people, but I’ve checked for her before, and I am telling you – this woman does not sweat. Actually, I’m not so much annoyed as I am impressed. The only thing I’m annoyed about is that she’s hogging all those fresh genes to herself. Where’s the love, Mom?

Anyway, allow me to extol my mother’s virtues:

My mom hasn’t had a day to herself in 23 years. Even when she’s on a business trip, indulging in a rare soak in a bathtub, you can rest assured that her cell phone will be ringing at some point later that evening, with kids or husband calling to check up on her. We love to joke that my mom hasn’t even been able to go to the bathroom peacefully in the past 23 years. Someone’s always walking in, calling up the stairs, yelling for her intervention in various disputes, etc. She seldom has time to relax when she’s at home –always running kids up to various sporting events, church activities, band concerts, etc. She is one of the most selfless people I know.

My mom is also one of the smartest people I know, if not THE smartest. She’s got an astounding memory. She’s incredibly humble. She’s the best cook in the world (minus the butterscotch chip obsession). She has an incredible work ethic – at her job, at home, around the farm – wherever she is. She has a flair for crafts and artsy projects, although she rarely has time to indulge in these hobbies. She is hilarious (even when she doesn’t mean to be). She’s tough – she went through childbirth 5 times with no painkillers whatsoever.

Basically, there is no flaw to be found in my mother. She’s been weighed, measured, and found AWESOME.

Thanks for putting up with my shenanigans all these years, Mom, and for giving me something to aspire to. I love you!