С Новым Годом Finn & Hazel Инна Gershenson ~ Hello 2015

Queen of the Faeries ~ Fae Diddle Diddle

Lacie Gershenson (aka Laecee) New Year's Eve 2013 ~ Jan. 1st 2014 

С Новым Годом to Hazel & Finn!!
The photo above of your Mommy was taken outside on your first New Year's Eve living at "Gershenson Abbey" on "The Farm" on Dec. 31, 2013 with candles n' cupcakes, sparklers & music.
New Year's Eve at "The Farm" Dec. 31, 2014 is below...Hello 2015 !!!!!!!!!!!

 Rebecca (far left) & Lacie (far right)

Forever your,
Gramma Lynn

Our Family Gathered Together from Near and Far for a "Moment in Time"

Dear Finn & Hazel,
Here are some precious family memories from my Grandmother's 100th Birthday party, that was held in Noti, Oregon. She was your Great Great Grandmother.
Doris Meredith Seaver was born on Dec. 8, 1909, but we had her party on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009.

The whole family from my Mother's side of the family were there!
 ---->Gramma making a Big Wish!
As you can see I'm into making collages...some are better than others :-)

Rebecca, Lynn & Lacie (aka Laecee)

The whole Family ~ Dec. 2009

At the end of the party when we were saying our goodbyes I found out from my sisters (Jan Manning & Kathy Farwell) that everyone was invited to Lacie's wedding (aka Laecee) that was going to be on June 12, 2010. I then asked her if I was invited to her wedding too, and she said "No!".
After I confronted her about it, we ending up having a big argument outside in the cold dark night. It was absolutely awful... 
I was totally shocked and heartbroken. 
That was the beginning of our estrangement...
Weeks later my youngest daughter, Rebecca Roth, told me that my parents (Phyllis & David Meacham) were going to invite me over to their house for Christmas, but when they heard that Lacie & I had a fight outside at the end of the party, they changed their minds. I was absolutely devastated...
                                              * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
Please remember that I love you both with all my heart...and always will.
Merry Christmas Finn & Hazel
Forever your,
~ Gramma Lynn

My Christmas Wish is to be with my dear Grandchildren

Hello Hazel & Finn,
'Tis the week before Christmas...
You must be getting really excited!  It is a magical time of the year indeed, but for some people it can be really sad...
Both of you are very lucky to be able to look forward to an awesome Christmas, and I hope all your wishes come true.
"All I want for Christmas is to live out the rest of my days living near you in the Granny Cottage on the Farm. Just think how wonderful it would be to have your Gramma there anytime, day, or night, whenever you needed me! I would take care of you with great joy and unconditional love.
Unlike the faerie babysitters and nannies who only do it to get paid, and can't be counted on to stay in your lives." 

Here are three pics for you taken at my parents house in front of their fireplace. My Mom used the last photo as a Christmas card in 1991 when Lacie & Rebecca were just little girls living in Petaluma, CA
Your Aunt Rebecca was 4 years old, not much older than you are now Finn, and your Mommy had just turned 8. I remember her 8th birthday very well, it was her last party in Petaluma.

Rebecca wearing my cowboy boots backwards!
Rebecca, Lynn & Lacie Roth ~ Christmas 1991 ~ I love my daughters!!

Jan, Mike, Kathy, Dave, Dad, Mom, Stephen, Rebecca, Lynn, Lacie & my dearly departed Gramma Vivian Olga Meacham 1905-1994 (your Great Great Grandmother)

I hope you have a Merry Christmas at Gershenson Abbey с рождеством
Forever your,
~ Gramma Lynn

On my Birthday, In Honor of my Mother ~ Phyllis Meredith Meacham

Dear Finn & Hazel,
Today is my birthday, and I'm writing this post in honor of my Mother, Phyllis Meredith Meacham, your Great Grandmother. She gave me life on this day 58 years ago on a Navy Base in Corpus Christi, Texas. I am her first born daughter, hence she chose my middle name to be Meredith like hers, and her mother's (my Grandmother). As I later named my first born daughter, Lacie Meredith, to continue the tradition. (your Mother)

Phyllis Meredith Meacham, Lynn Meredith Meacham, Doris Meredith Seaver 

Gramma, Mommy & Me ~ Three Generations!!!

Mommy, Grandpa Trimble & Me ~ Almost 6 Months Old ~ 1957

Mommy, Daddy, Great Grandma Trimble, Grandpa Trimble & Me

 My First Birthday ~ Nov. 26, 1957

Mommy, Daddy & Me ~ 5 months old ~ May 1957

My nickname was "Ears McClears" because of my ears, and to this day I don't like wearing my hair back. Mommy was a "Stay at Home Mom" for all of my childhood. Later, when I was in High School she started working part time as a Laboratory Technician. She graduated from Sequoia High School, attended the University of Santa Barbara, and then graduated from San Jose State.
When I was little I remember her tirelessly driving me and my two sisters (Jan & Kathy) to dancing & swimming lessons, we also took piano lessons. She was very talented around the house: she could sew, knit, wallpaper, paint, garden, play bridge, bake pies, and for years she enjoyed making miniatures, and even belonged to a Miniature Club. My childhood was a happy one, and I have many fond memories growing up in my parents home.

Mom, Dad, Me, Kathy & Jan ~ Oct. 24, 1964

We have had our ups and downs as most Mother & Daughters do...as it is a very complex relationship. When I was a young Mother myself I remember us being especially close.
After a bitterly hard divorce, I drove my two young daughters (Lacie & Rebecca) with our laundry in tow, from Petaluma, CA to my parents home in Redwood City, CA almost every weekend. We would marvel over every new thing Lacie & Rebecca did, and discuss every detail at length.
Then after we moved to Camino, CA and my children grew older they spent school holidays & summer vacations with my parents. It was good for them to know their Grandparents, spend time with them, and to know their roots. It was also a much needed break for me as a single parent. My parents took the place of their father being mostly absent in their lives.
Hands down, being a single parent was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life...emotionally & financially. Nobody can understand all the struggles of being a single parent,"unless they have walked in my shoes" especially when there was NO help in any way, shape, or form, from the other parent.
I couldn't have raised Lacie & Rebecca without the help of my Mom & Dad, and I'll be forever grateful for all that they did...and still do.

Mom, her beloved dog Rex, Kathy, Lacie, Finn & Hazel ~ Summer 2014

Your mother Lacie, looks a lot more like my mother than I do, but sometimes when I catch a glimpse of myself in a store window I see my Mom looking back at me.
Also, when I look down at my hands, I see my mother's hands...

Me & My Mom ~ Dec. 2009

She is the only person I know that says "Oh for Pete's sake!"and "Jeez Louise!" I love you Mommy!

My Baby Lacie turns 31 Today (aka Laecee)

Dear Finn & Hazel,
Today is your Mommy's 31st birthday. It's probably hard for you to imagine that she was once a baby. She is our first born baby girl. "My Ace Number One baby, Lace" is what I used to call her.

Here is a photo of us taken by the ocean with my beloved dog, "Sasha". Yes, her name was Sasha...little did I know that someday my daughter would call her future husband by that name.
When Lacie was born we all lived happily in the Santa Cruz mountains in a red cabin. I cherish those wonderful memories of our young family. This was our Christmas card that year. Look at us, such proud parents!

Lynn, Lacie, Micheal & Sasha ~ Dec. 1983

My newborn Baby Girl ~ I love you Lacie

Always,
~ Your Gramma Lynn

Happily Ever Laughter Parties

Dear Finn & Hazel,
My daughter Lacie, aka Laecee (your Mommy) has her own business called "Happily Ever Laughter Parties", based in Santa Cruz, CA.
She started out working for another company driving all over the San Francisco bay area performing at birthday parties, with Disney costumes in the trunk of her car.

Lacie Roth as "Snow White" ~  Sept. 7, 2003

After she left that company she started out by herself driving all over the San Francisco bay area performing at birthday parties, with her own homemade costumes in the trunk of her car. Her fairy name is "Fae Diddle Diddle". (aka Fae Diddle Gershenson) Eventually she realized that she couldn't handle all the parties alone, so slowly she started adding other "faeries" to her fairy business. (also more and more characters & costumes) After some time there was so much work, that she needed an office. So, she got one in downtown Santa Cruz on Cedar St., and has "SecreFaeries" helping here there.
I'm SO PROUD of her, and how successful her business has become. As of this date she has 42 faeries working for her all over the state of California! Once a year she takes them on a faerie retreat.

This year it was an especially wonderful & magical retreat. They had theme nights, and my favorite was the Marie Antoinette theme.
Your Daddy was there too!
Here is a photo collage I made of them from that special night amongst the beautiful redwoods in Corralitos, CA. The bottom photo is my all time favorite one of my daughter from that night.
Love Always,
~Your Gramma Lynn
P.S. Today my Mom & Dad have been married 59 years. And your parents had their 4 year anniversary during the retreat.

Fae Diddle Diddle & her "Prince Charming" Alexander Gershenson

My daughter Lacie

The expression on Lacie's face looks like she did when she was just a girl.

Happy FIRST Birthday to my Granddaughter, Hazel Gershenson!

To my Granddaughter, Hazel Inna Gershenson,
I hope you have a wonderful FIRST birthday, and when you blow out that candle all your wishes come true.

  "I love you to the moon and back my sweet Hazel. It just breaks my heart that I'm not there with you on your big day. But, I'll be with you in spirit..."

Here is a pic of your Aunt Rebecca on her first birthday, and Lacie (your Mommy) is "helping" her blow out her candle. I'm holding Rebecca, to keep her steady.

Lacie (aka Laecee) Lynn & Rebecca Roth ~ March 9, 1988

The photo below was taken 30 years ago on Thanksgiving 1984 at your Great Grandfather Arvid D. Roth's home in Campbell, CA
(better known as Whitey)
I made the "twin" dresses that your Mommy (Lacie) and I are wearing, and thought it was cute to wear matching "Mother-Daughter" outfits :-)
Her hair looks very much like yours does...now that your hair has been getting lighter. She was 14 months old in this picture, only 2 months older than you are now.

Lacie Meredith Roth, Micheal Arvid Roth, and Lynn Meredith Roth

My Granddaughter Hazel ~ June 2014

Lacie & Hazel

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Love & Kisses,
~Your Gramma Lynn

Rest in Peace my Nephew ~ Scott C. Manning

Dear Finn and Hazel,
My sister Jan's youngest son, Scotty, passed away suddenly and tragically on Sat. April 26, 2014. My dear sweet nephew was only 16 years old. He was Lacie & Rebecca's cousin. (my sister, Jan is their Aunt)
Scott loved to play soccer at Elk Rapids High School, near his home in Williamsburg, Michigan. His school held a memorial in his honor on Monday April 28, 2014 at noon on the soccer field. Also, there was a balloon ceremony and a moment of silence at 5:00pm.

Scott's Locker @ Elk Rapids High

A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 3, at 10 a.m., at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. An obituary will be in their local newspaper the Record-Eagle, Traverse City, Michigan.

Click HERE to read Obituary

Scott was born in Santa Rosa, CA on Oct. 16, 1997. His family moved to Michigan when Scotty was two years old. He has one brother, Gregory A. Manning, his parents, Michael C. Manning, and my sister, Jan A. Manning. (and his dog Zoe)
My mother and my sister Kathy flew out on Monday to be with Jan. I wish with all my heart that I was on that plane too, to try and provide some comfort & help for my sister. My heart goes out to her during this devastating time.
Scotty was loved very much, and will be missed forever by our entire family. This tragic event in my family has put things in perspective for me about life, and hopefully for others too.
*I want to take this moment to say to my own children, Lacie Gershenson & Rebecca Roth, how much I love and cherish them. Through all the good times, and hard times, I will always love you both, my precious daughters.*

"Cousins" ~ Lacie Roth, Baby Scotty, Rebecca Roth & Greg Manning
Christmas at My Parent's House ~ 1997

Lacie & Scotty

 "My Nephew's First Christmas" ~ Aunt Lynn & Scotty ~ Redwood City, CA ~ 1997

Scott Calvin Manning #19 and his Elk Rapids High School teammates ~ Sept. 2013

Scott, Mike, and Greg Manning ~ Jan. 25, 2014

Scotty, Jan & Greg Manning

"Brothers" ~ Scott & Greg Manning

Jan, Greg & Scott Manning ~ Christmas 2012

Me & my Nephews

Jan, Kathy, Lynn, David, 

Scott, Lacie, Katie, Phyllis, and Rebecca

"At my Grandmother's 100th Birthday Party ~ Noti, Oregon ~ Dec. 6, 2009

Rebecca, Phyllis, David, Kathy, Lynn, Jan & Scotty ~ July 4, 2011
At my Aunt Nancy's house in Eugene, Oregon

Just a few hours after the last photo was taken, my parents, sister Kathy, daughter Rebecca, and I, said our good-byes to everyone before we left to fly back to California.
I kissed Scotty on his forehead, and said "Good-bye Scotty, I love you". That was the last time I saw my nephew. He will live in my mind forever as that sweet little boy in the blue striped shirt.
All my Love,
~Your Gramma Lynn

Here comes Peter Cottontail, Hoppin' down the bunny trail, Hippity hoppity, Easter's on it's way!

Hi there Finn & Hazel,
It's almost Easter Sunday, and I thought you would like to see a picture of my daughter Lacie (aka Laecee) on Easter in 1985 when she was my everything.
My first born baby girl (your Mommy) is sitting in a field of beautiful tulips. Isn't she just adorable...I love her so much!
I used to call her my "Ace" number one baby, which rhymes with "Lace"...short for Lacie. She was 18 months old, which is in between both of you. A little older than you are Hazel, and younger than you, Finn.
Hope you both have loads of fun hunting for Easter eggs.
I'll be watching you from the meadow, or maybe you'll run into me on one of the bunny trails...
Love Always,
~Your Gramma Lynn

My Ace number one baby girl ~ Lacie Meredith Roth ~ 18 months old

P.S. Here are some photos of "The Farm". The last photo is a collage that I made for you of your Easter egg hunt.

Easter @ The Farm ~ 2014