.......................Mom

I find myself thinking a lot about my Mom this time of year.
She was an incredible woman…My only hope is that I can be just a fraction of the what she was.
My Mom, Rhea Afton Coon Bagley, was born on November 4, 1921 in Pleasant Green Utah, now known as Magna, to John Bert and Hannah Charlotte Ek Coon.
She grew up in Magna on the corner of 3500 South and 8400 West and went to Cyprus High School.
She married my Father, Donald Franklin Bagley, on June 3, 1940 and after 8 years of marriage on June 2, 1948 they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. The 3 daughters they had at that time were sealed to them the following day, June 3, 1948.
She left this life on January 18, 1998. Oh how I miss her. There are still days that I almost pick up the phone and dial her number. I long to talk to her…to ask her advice…to hear the comfort of her voice…to tell her that I love her.
As I think of how to describe her, the words that come to my mind are:
Beautiful, Loving, Selfless, Compassionate, Concerned, Giving, Spiritual, Faithful, Supportive, Caring, Nurturing, Thoughtful, Patient, Kind, Generous, Forgiving,Understanding, Sensitive, Affectionate, Hard Working, Compassionate, Graceful, Proper, Well Mannered, Dignifid, Gentle and Practical. She was all these things and more… and she was Always…Always a Lady.
That is one of the lessons she taught…to always be a lady. I remember when I would question what I should wear when I was going somewhere, she would always tell me that a lady is never out of place in a dress…she maybe out of place wearing pants…but never in a dress.
Mom was the most unselfish person I have ever known. Her life was truly devoted to her family.
She made life special…There are so many fun memories.
One of my fondest memories is the clothing she would sew for me. It was important to her for us to have the same stylish clothing that all the other kids were wearing. And where money was not available to buy them…she sewed them for us.
There are 4 outfits that I remember very well. One of my favorite was a soft orange blouse and a floral patterned skirt. The blouse had a very specific name, but I can not recall what it was. But it had short sleeves with ruffles around the band that edged them; it buttoned down the front with the same tiny ruffles on both sides of the panel. I was probably 10 or 11 and I was so proud of that outfit…I remember it like it was yesterday.
When I was in 9th grade I was invited to the 9th grade dance…she made me a beautiful dress of pink taffeta with a tiny black pattern on it. It had long sleeves and tiny ruffles down the front that were edged in black…I felt like the best dressed girl at the ball.
A few years later for the Jr. Prom she made me the most beautiful dress ever.
It was white chiffon that gathered and flowed from a high neckband of white sequins.
No ruffles on the sleeves this time…matter of fact…there were no sleeves on this dress…actually there were no shoulders either. (I can't believe she let me wear that) She created a masterpiece that made me feel like Cinderella herself.
The last of my four favorites was the Wedding Gown she made for me. (This gown can be seen in my Wedding Picture below). I recall her sitting up late into the night cutting out and sewing on the lace appliqués on the dress and veil. What a precious gift it was to me.
Growing up going to the Drive In was a very special occasion. Mom took us to every Doris Day movie that ever came out. Mom and all us kids would pile in the car (Dad always passed on this one) and head for the Motor View Drive In. Now this was not an impromptu thing. It was very planned out…we spent the day preparing. We baked cookies, popped popcorn, boiled hot dogs and put them in a thermos to keep them hot, we made kool aide and bought green licorice…yes green licorice…it truly was the best. Then we piled in the car with our pajamas and blankets and pillows…I am not sure how we all fit.
I remember a birthday party that she threw for me. It was probably my 12th.
All my friends sit around a long table in the living room and she served us homemade pizza…but it was not your traditional round pizza. This one was baked in a square pan and cut into square pieces. Why that is so distinct in my memory I am not sure…I only know it is embedded as a special time in my life.
Mom was patient…or at least she did not let you see otherwise. In the 46 years that I spent on this earth with her I only remember her getting upset with me one time. I have been told there were a couple of times that she spanked me…but I don't remember them…she truly was serene.
As years rendered her older…we then had opportunities to take her on outings and vacations.
Today we laugh as we share the experiences and tell the stories, but we find that each one is a beautifully treasured nugget.
I never questioned whether my mother loved me…I knew she did. It was evident in her every action. And there was never a day I did not feel the love I had for her. I regret the days I felt impatient with her and wish I had more deeply cherished her every moment while she was still here.
I will always remember the day she left this life. She lay quietly in a hospital bed surrounded by her children and her grandchildren. I do not question that Daddy was also at her side, waiting…maybe just a bit impatient, to take her home with him. Love flowed deeply from all sides.
I believe that she was sad to leave us...for as her spirit lifted from her body, leaving it still, a tear fell from each eye…
The day we dressed her for her burial…as I looked at her I realized more deeply, how truly beautiful she was…Her skin was so soft and flawless, the smile that still existed on her sweet face was so warm and her lifeless body still radiated the love she had always shown us.
How I miss you Mom…How blessed I am to have been a part of your life and to have had you be a part of mine.