Mimi Sue's Cottage

A home is much more than a house built of lumber, brick, or stone. A home is made of love, sacrifice, and respect. We are responsible for the homes we build. We must build wisely, for eternity is not a short voyage. There will be calm and wind, sunlight and shadows, joy and sorrow. But if we really try, our home can be a bit of heaven here on earth. Thomas S Monson







Friday, July 30, 2010

When I Grow Up

I'd like you to meet my cute neighbor. Her name is Hazel and she lives just across the street and east of Mimi's Cottage. She turned 90 this year. Every morning she raises the American flag on her flagpole. Her husband was a veteran of WWII and she sat home with a baby and a baby on the way and waited for him to come home. Which he did. She is now a widow and says she misses her husband every single day.
She's been living in her little cottage since 1941. She raised 6 kids in this house with 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. It looks like it might have 1200 square feet. Maybe. Every Monday she does her laundry and hangs it all out on the line to dry. Every Thursday she and her 60 something year old son and daughter in law mow her almost acre lot. They each push a gas powered mower. Every day she waters that almost acre by hand since she doesn't have a sprinkler system. Drags around the hoses and sprinklers. She doesn't need glasses. She can hear me talking to her from across the street. She never complains and is always cheerful and friendly. A wonderful example. She is truly an elect lady. It is such a privilege to know her. I want to be just like her when I grow up.

11 comments:

Julie Harward said...

I think I remember this house! She is an amazing elect lady for sure. Just proves that people don't need such big houses! All that good work has kept her young...you better get to mowing Mimi! :D

Simple Home said...

Wow, I love Hazel, and I don't even know her! She is the lady we all want to grow up to be :-) I hope she finds out about your post. Its a wonderful tribute to her.
Blessings,
Marcia

Judy said...

What a lovely woman.
Up until two months ago, we had a neighbor like that, too.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I think I want to grow up to be her too...she sounds like an amazing woman.

Donna said...

What a sweet post, and a dear neighbor you have. I'd like to be just like her too.

Hugs,
Donna

Jen~ Lipstick and Laundry said...

That is TRUE BEAUTY... She is a shining example to all... A virtuous woman!

Lorilee said...

What a lady! She makes me proud to be an Ameician!
Blessings,
Lorilee

Lisa said...

I hope she knows how wonderful she is. I even love her name. Beautiful tribute.

Diane's Photography said...

Mimi, that is just awesome! It made me tear up reading this tribute to a wonderful lady. I want to be like her too when I grow up!

Lallee said...

What a special neighbor you have. How remarkable she is! I can barely stand to walk to the mailbox in our heat right now.

Nanette Merrill said...

This is the "simple" life where you actually worked around the house. Women today are too busy for this kind of existence. I admire her and I feel bad we will lose these wonderful women and things like this will be lost forever.