Happy 90th Birthday Helen!!

Happy 90th Birthday Helen!! 01/02/2012

We will get back to Willie and Helen's story later, but today is a special blog about my mom and the fact that she will be turning 90 on January 3, 2012. That date is on a Tuesday, so we did a little celebrating early. I haven't written in my blog for the past few days, but going home to visit with mom and be a part of this monumental moment was more important. You know...turning 90 don't happen everyday...so I thought you might want to share in the celebration via the blog and pictures. (beautiful flowers from Jim and Becky...who were unable to be present)

First we will start with the party planners:

My niece, Andrea Jane; my nephew, Scottie Tollison and my great niece, Aunna Meece threw together a wonderful surprise party for mom. Andrea Jane and Scottie have been so good to mom during her stays in the hospital...they love her so much and have shown it in all they have done for her.

Our family has been blessed with lots of caring and loving younger generation kids that have stepped up to do what they could while mom has struggled with her health in the past 3 months. Even though I don't have a picture of Shannon Reed in this particular blog, I have to mention how much she has cared for and loved her grandma during this time. She spent nights at the hospital with her as did Andrea Jane. Scottie wouldn't let anyone (doctor, nurse or aide) mistreat his MaMa...if something didn't seem quite right - he would ask questions and make sure she was given the correct treatment. Andrea Jane lives close to the hospital and if she got wind of her MaMa needing her in any way shape or form...she was there. Because of how well I know all of the Tollison grandkids and great grandkids...if they all lived closer, they would've been involved helping as much as they could too.

But I just can't say enough good things about these party planners...love you all so much!

. When I look at the pictures of mom at her birthday celebration, I am amazed! First of all she looks great for a 90 year old and secondly we almost lost her several times in the past few months - she is a living breathing miracle in front of our eyes.

I have never met a fighter like her. But you know, if you think back to what you have learned about her in this blog...it shouldn't surprise you that she was able to fight through this last bout. She has had to be strong her entire life! I'm still learning things about mom that amaze me in her ability to face adversity and come out on top.

Is she fiesty? You bet your boots! She has proven that time and again with how she has been able to forge through anything life sends her way.

Here are just a few:

She was born into a big family with a dad who had a drinking problem
Worked as a farm hand for her dad
Dropped out of school for a year or two to help raise her brothers and sisters while her mom was in a facility
Eloped at 17
Raised 2 little ones while husband was away 2 years in the service
Living conditions of some of her homes were really bad
Worked to help with the finances while raising her five children
Helped when her children needed her with their children
Grieved and still grieves over the loss of her husband
Went through heart surgeries and various other surgeries
Had to give up her own home to move in with her son Larry and daughter in law, Linda (who have been sooo good to her-if she needs something...all she does is ask and she pretty much has it)
Learned how to use a computer at 89 and started Facebooking and makes the grandkids tow the mark if she sees something bad on there LOL
Lost her leg due to circulation issues
Fought through some confusing times in the hospital
Despite all she went through she is smiling for her 90th birthday!

Does she let you know when you have your facts wrong? Yep! She is sharp as a tack! That is why when she was having so much trouble in the hospital with her speech and talking out of her head, we knew something was not right with her treatment. That is just not mom. She has been sharing her life story with me since September and doesn't miss a beat. If I don't get it quite right, she lets me know, but also says, that's okay...nobody but us will know anyway! Haha...gotta love her. She reads a lot so several went together and got her a Kindle for her birthday. She will learn how to use it in no time and will be reading all kinds of books.

Is she one of the sweetest ladies you could know who has always shared her gift of hospitality? For sure! As a child growing up, I remember her inviting people over all the time for Sunday dinner. Even after dad passed and she was so sad, she would invite neighbor ladies over to watch movies and eat popcorn. While she was still able to drive, she even took a carload of them to Branson with her .

Even to this day she loves to bless others! She got a movie for her birthday and invited one of the ladies from down the hall and her roommate to watch it with her.

Before Bobby and I left to come home, she hands me a check and told me she had Larry bring it over to her at the nursing home so she could help pay for my gas. There she is trying her darnedest to get better and she still thinks of me. That woman is something else!

Comments

charlene pruett

01/02/2012 4:02pm

Happy 90th Birthday Mrs. Tollison! Wishing you the very best! I sure enjoy reading about your life thru Paula! Love to you, Charlene Lyons Pruett

Paula Maupin

01/03/2012 6:27pm

Thanks Charlene...I read this to mom tonight!

April & Tom Rhodes

01/02/2012 8:20pm

Happy Birthday Mrs Helen...you were always a sweet, warm and wonderful person when we went to church with you :)

Paula Maupin

01/03/2012 6:29pm

Mom remembers you April...you and your husband! I read your comment to her tonight! Thank you!

Bob Maupin Sr link

01/03/2012 2:01pm

Hello Mrs Helen, and Happy Birthday, Thanks for having that prescious young daughter Paula. She must be very special as all the childred have their own ways. God bless you and keep on keeping on. You have a lot already to be thankful for and I know you praise the Lord for all your blessings.
When Liz gets able to move around a little better, I'll bring her to see you and meet your sweet family. I'll be looking forward to that.

Paula Maupin

01/03/2012 6:30pm

Thanks Mr. Bob! I read your comment to mom tonight and she appreciates you thinking about her on her birthday!

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.

Author
Paula Tollison Andrews Maupin
I am married to Bobby and live in the Nashville, TN area, working as Executive Assistant to both the Director of Sales and General Manager of FOX17, MyTV30 & CW58 television

I have 3 wonderful sons and daughters in love (Brad & Holly Andrews, Bryan & Stacy Andrews and Brandon & Ashley Andrews) from Tulsa, St. Louis & Springfield respectively. They have given me 9 precious grandbabies. (Joseph, Cooper, Margo, Sloan, Jonas, Nora, Everett, Lawson and Blythe & Gma loves them so much) I also have 2 great stepsons and daughter in love (Jonathan & Kathryn Maupin and William Maupin) from Lexington, Kentucky.

As a lady who's lived through both good & bad circumstances in my life, I've learned and continue to learn a lot of "life lessons". Along the way I have been inspired to be a better me. God is faithful in ALL circumstances and His love covers all. My hope is that you will be inspired to be who you were meant to be.

I have been writing this blog about my mom and dad since September of 2011.

You can find their story from the beginning by going to the Stories link. Happy Reading!!!

Paula Tollison Andrews Maupin

Create Your Badge

Comments

Leave a Reply

Archives