The last couple of months I have been rereading Grandpa and Grandma Watson's life history books. I was particularly inspired by Grandma's stories and the many examples she gave of ordinary life that is simply living a life of discipleship. I was inspired and moved. What a remarkable legacy they have left for their posterity to follow! I wrote this letter to Mom to express my feelings of gratitude.
Dear Mom, 1/14/2026
I have been
rereading Grandma and Grandpa Watson’s life history books and have been
extremely inspired these last few weeks. So much so, that I’ve stopped my
studying of general conference talks because I’m soaking up every word and
mental picture of their lives. It is like family scripture to me, sacred.
I’ve been
pondering all of the people that Grandma cared for over the years. Grandma
Charlet, Grandma Gold, her sister Patty, her Daddy, and a few others I’m sure
I’m forgetting. I think of Grandma as a young teenager who had so much grit and
amazing work ethic. The few photos of her during this time period (standing one
leg on each horse side by side and the huge hay wagon) speak for themselves,
what a woman! No wonder Grandpa pursued her so relentlessly! Then the stories
of being a wife and mother, raising seven children while being self employed
and also helping the family business with the milk routes and egg handling,
running the family farm, supporting Grandpa through his many callings, and
teaching for so many years. I’m sure Grandma was exhausted the majority of the
time but there was work to be done, so she did it.
I’ve
realized you have paralleled Grandma’s life exactly. The most prominent and
selfless example is you caring for Paul all those years when he had nobody
else. Paul didn’t ask you, you simply took care of him because he was so lonely
without his wife and had no family. You’ve always supported Dad in his callings
and excelled in your own callings. How you survived serving in boy scouts for
so long, I’ll never know, that takes the patience of a saint. Somehow you
raised your own seven children while taking care of the farm and growing our
own food to reap the harvest and I will never for the life of me understand how
in the world you did it! I’m sure you were exhausted the majority of the time
but there was work to be done, so you did it.
I look at my
life and wonder how I can be like you and Grandma, you both have set the bar so
high that I’ll never measure up. I have to remind myself that I have Watson in
my blood, Christ in my heart, and unseen family angels by my side.
One of the
selfless acts of love you’ve given me has been that of mothering support.
Sometimes as a mother with needed tough love, telling me to put on my britches and
stop whining; and other times as a best friend, with gentle love and enough
grace for both of us. The times that stand out the most were the first couple
years after Cora was born. I had a new baby with an imperfect body and only
Heavenly Father knew what she needed to develop properly and succeed in
growing. I always called you after each doctor appointment giving you updates,
but mostly so you knew what I was up against because I needed all the extra
prayers and encouragement I could get. You traveled so many times to meet me in
my hour of need when as a new mother to this baby, I needed my own mother just
as much. You and Cora seem to have a special bond unlike any of the other
grandchildren, you see her for what she’s to become and nobody can make her
happier than her Grandma Julie.
I have often
wondered why I don’t have visions or hear angels singing like Grandma did. She
seemed to have visions or dreams quite frequently. However, I have to remind
myself that these experiences are unique to the individual and I’ve pondered
the ways the spirit has spoken to me. They may not be an audible voice, but
many, many times words have come to my mind that were not my own. The first
instance was when I was dating Lance; he was dropping me off at the house
(after curfew I’m sure because I was good at that) and we were kind of arguing
in the car. I stopped him from speaking and told him we needed to say a prayer
because the feeling inside the car was one of tension and unease. During that
prayer the spirit spoke to my mind that this was the man I was supposed to
marry. What?! Lance?? I hardly know him! And from that point on whenever he
asked me on a date I said yes. I had daily reassurances from the spirit that
this was the man I was supposed to marry. I remember another time about a month
later he had told me the story of his Dad having a major heart attack while on
his mission and I gave him a hug. When I hugged him I saw a picture of Christ
behind him and the words distinctly came to my mind, “this is right” meaning
our relationship trajectory. There were a few other times that those same words
“this is right” came to me so I knew without a doubt that I was supposed to
marry him. I look forward to eternity with Lance!
When Cora
was going to all those doctor, surgery, specialist, and therapy appointments,
there were many times that I was left not knowing what else I could do for her.
What stone had I left unturned? Why is she still so sick and frail and how can
I know what she needs? The answers always came late at night as I was trying to
fall asleep. The spiritual direction always came to my mind that I needed to
try this or seek out that specialist, and I knew it was from Heavenly Father. I
knew that Heavenly Father is Cora’s baby just as much mine, and that He would
guide me to care for her. I have seen so many miracles on her behalf to which I
will always credit Him.
You and Dad
are the best grandparents around, how lucky are all of these grandchildren?! My
only sadness is not living closer, so my kids could have a closer relationship
with you and Dad and growing up along side their cousins. I try to make the
most of the time we do get together and summers are certainly a time for
learning lessons from Grandma and Grandpa.
I hope I can
keep Grandma’s and your examples close to my heart, especially the way that she
ministered to so many people. I still remember the calendar on the farm always
had VT written on it multiple times a month but it wasn’t until years later I
learned it stood for visiting teaching. You walk in your mother’s footsteps in
the way she ministered and I pray I can do the same.
Mom, I love
you more than words can say! I am so appreciative of all that you do and are.
As I’ve entered this phase of rearing teenagers, I think back to what I put you
through and it makes my heart hurt knowing I caused you grief. I guess it’s my
turn to experience the teenage grief now! As Dad always says, “What goes around
comes around.” I am so grateful to you and love you so, so much!
Much love,
Becky
