August 27, 2009

Anniversary




Meet Richard & Naomi Gibbs


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My sweet parents






They met at an Air Force dance in Madison, Wisconsin.

Married 3 months later.

Three days after the wedding, Dad left for a year, to Korea.

That was love during war time.


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Wedding Day - August 27, 1953 - Reno, Nevada




When he returned, I was 3 months old.

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Then came:

Getting reacquainted,
completing dad's education,
and meager living.



Dad finished school and took a job teaching High School in Weaverville, CA; life got better. He went on to earn a Masters Degree and a Doctorate, instructing Economics at Fresno City College until his retirement. Dad is brilliant; able to recite facts about almost anything. He is the one you want on your team when playing Trivial Pursuit. Dad took his role as head of the household very seriously. He worked hard, taking summer school assignments and second jobs to provide us with security. He kept the house and autos repaired and always had a project going, like refinishing furniture. The desk in my office was his father's. One summer, dad refinished it and gave it to me. It is one of my treasures.



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Mom was teaching dancing at Aurthur Murray Studio when they met. She is a wonderful mother. Her gift, a steadfast testimony, has never wavered. Dad was not a member of the Church, but never stood in the way of our activities in it. Every Sunday, mom sat with 4 little girls in Sacrament meeting and made sure we all attended midweek Primary and Mutual. As grown women, we all love the Gospel and have married in the Temple. She is a strong, remarkable woman. She is an excellent Interior Decorator, and even had her own shop for a few years. Mom also has incredible style....a true lady, who always carries a lace edged linen hankie.


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They were blessed with 5 beautiful children, the only son, Richard, passed away from SIDS at 2 months. I was 8 years old, my sister Marsha, was 4. It was my first experience with the concept of bad things happening to good people, something life seems replete with. Much grief followed in the ensuing months. Mom became pregnant as soon as possible; the birth of Jennifer, 10 months later, helped heal the loss of Richard. Susan arrived a year later, and the family was complete.

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Diane, Richard & Marsha




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We had fun times growing up. My childhood memories are good. We had a boat and I became a decent water skier. I always loved it when dad would ski because he would let me drive the boat. Mom tried hard, but we nearly rolled out of the boat, laughing, when she was back there with her huge life preserver, trying to get up on those skies. We would have great picnics on the shore and go home happy and exhausted from the sun and water.






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Cruise to Canada


Some of my favorite times with my parents have been since I have married, when we vacation together. We always laugh a lot when we travel. Dad relaxes and shares his clever wit. Mom is fun loving and always positive.

They attended every special event in my family's life; blessings, baptisms, recitals, and games. Always there to lend a hand; they babysat, mowed, and repaired; helped with moves and even business start-ups.




My parents are a great blessing.





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With their first grandchild, Michael




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50th Wedding Anniversary





Dad joined the Church a few years ago
and they were Sealed in the Temple.



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They eat dinner holding hands.

They fall asleep holding hands.


They are very much in love.




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Mom and Dad in front of Temple.





Happy 56th Anniversary Mom & Dad

I love you




5 comments:

Cheryl Joy said...

Diane, thanks for sharing your stories about your parents. They are touching. :)

Chrissy said...

That was such a great post, Mom. Made feel so proud of my family and where I come from. Thank you for the detailed record of their lives.

Grandpa a teacher at a community college and Grandma a dance teacher... I guess it's no coincidence what I have decided to do with my life these days. The same goes for the rest of us kids!

michele cabiness said...

It was so much fun to read all about your parents and family! Thanks for posting this!

Brittany said...

Your posts are so jam packed with good stuff I feel like I can write an essay of comments :) I agree with all that's been said. I love how much more in love g-ma and pa are now that they're sealed. And it's weird seeing that cruise picture where we're all single, the family just doesn't look right!

Anonymous said...

I love this this post. It made me a bit misty the first time I read it.
I have known your family since you were 15 and of all the sights and sounds that I have experienced with them, I'd give my right arm to see YOUR MOM waterski. I laugh just thinking about it. Is there a home movie with her skiing?
I love your parents! I just wish their health was better so we could do all the things we used to do with them.

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About Me

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I married my high school sweetheart 34 years ago in the LDS Temple. I have 4 children (3 married, and a 14 year old) and 6 grandchildren. I lived my entire life in California, until 6 years ago. I now reside in San Antonio, Texas. The most important thing to me is my family; I have invested the most in them and it has paid great dividends. I love doing anything creative that beautifies my surroundings and I love nature. I minored in Art and majored in Interior Design at BYU, yet, my profession is a Tax Preparer.

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