My dear mother-in-law passed away at the end of March, and the Witemeyer clan is feeling her loss. She was a feisty woman who was always ready to give an opinion and who loved people, especially family, with a heart as big as Texas.
Even before I started writing books of my own, Hilda and I discovered a shared love of romance novels. We passed books between us, though she read much faster than I did. And when I shyly admitted to her that I had decided to try my hand at writing my own stories, she didn’t bat an eye. She had complete confidence in me from the very start and supported my dream without hesitation.
She had struggled with her health since the end of January and spent most of that time in the hospital or a skilled nursing facility, yet whenever I visited her, she never tried to wheedle me into extending my stay. She’d shoo me away with a smile and tell me to “Go write me another book.”
She read all of my novels and bought extra copies to share with friends and extended family. Her support was such a blessing.
I think one of the reasons she supported my writing with such fervor was because she was a creative person herself. She painted wonderful landscapes and floral still-life art. Some of my favorites are ones that show her love of Texas, her home for the last 54 years of her life.
I adore this Texas landscape with the bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush. This hangs in a place of honor in her home. She gifted this next one to my husband and I when we moved into our house. I love the old barn and the country setting.
She loved to examine my book covers and tell me thing about the lighting and design choices that my untrained eye had never considered. She fostered creativity in all of her chidlren and grandchildren, and her home proudly displays various cross stitch, crochet, and drawing projects collected from various generations of Witemeyers.
She will be greatly missed, but her love for art, for books, for family, and for Jesus lives on in all of us who have been touched by her life.
Do you have someone special in your life who has fostered your dreams or goals?
For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Karen is a firm believer in the power of happy endings. . . and ice cream. She is an avid cross-stitcher, and makes her home in Abilene, TX with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at: www.karenwitemeyer.com.
My sincere condolences for your Mother-in-law’s passing, Karen! How wonderful that you have not only your memories of Hilda, but also her art as a visual reminder of her – I love both those paintings! Knowing we will see our Christian loved-ones again makes their loss a little easier to shoulder. May you & your family feel God’s peace, love, comfort and strength until your reunion.
Thank you, Nadine. The hope of heaven is such a beautiful thing!
My dad died early, and my mother has been gone for a decade. I still miss them.
I lost my dad when I was 16, so I know the pain of losing a parent far too early. I miss him, too.
Hey Karen. What a nice tribute to your second mother and friend in this article. I was close to my second mother also. My mother has always supported my art. But, I think My husband has always been the one to push me more. He thinks I’m THAT good and tells me all the time. He is probably my greatest supporter.
Many blessings to you and your family!
What a blessing to have such support from your husband and MIL. It is such an encouragement!
It is so great you have her special memories as well as the paintings and other things she did. I have special memories of my grandmother. She always to us get as much education as we could because it was something no one could take away from you (she lived during the depression as well as only going through 3rd grade).
I love that she ensured her grandkids valued education. I bet she educated herself in many areas even without much formal schooling.
My mom is one who I am always talking with about my crocheting and is giving me suggestions on what to do. My niece has helped me with my writing.
My daughter and I are crafting buddies, and it is so fun to share projects, knowing that we each appreciate how much work, time, and love go into such things.
Condolences on her loss. I do not have anyone inspiring me but I feel as if I have inspired my three daughters.
I’m sure you have, Debra. That is a parent’s calling – to support and encourage their children. I love that you have been there for your girls.
What a great tribute to your mother-in-law! My parents were my biggest cheerleaders. Daddy loved my embroidery efforts, and the fact that I helped Mom make her cards. Mom lived to see my editing/proofreading “job” start, and to see my insurance business start taking off. We’ll always miss them, though we’ll also always carry them in our hearts. Last month was 29 years since Daddy’s passing, and Mom’s been gone 4 now.
You are so right about carrying them with us in our hearts. I still think of my dad often, even though I lost him 37 years ago. I’m sure it will be the same with Hilda.
So sorry for your loss. But I’m glad you have so many cherished memories of her and her influences in your lives. I am grateful that I still have my parents who are my most supportive players in my support team. Although we did lose my grandad 11 years ago, and his loss made a huge impact on the whole family. I’m glad we didn’t drift apart after losing him, he was, along with my grandma ,the glue that held the family together. His work ethic always inspired me to do better, to make talk things through when the times got tough and never give up on the people you love. to stick together to thick and thin.
I love that you bonded over your loss instead of letting it pull you apart. What a blessing to still feel your grandad’s influence even now!
I am so sorry about your loss. The pictures are beautiful!
Thank you, Barbara!
I’m so sorry for your loss, Karen. Hilda reminds me of my own precious mother-in-law who crossed over many years ago. Peggy read my books and at times she slipped into the pages. One day she told me she’d invited Duel McClain and his wife to dinner. That was the start of her Alzheimer’s. But Peggy loved life and her family and she didn’t hesitate in embracing my children when I married her son. Everyone was welcome in her house. I loved her dearly.
What precious memories, Linda. These ladies made such an impact with their love.
I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. Her art is beautiful.
My friends have been my biggest supporters.
Friends are a wonderful blessing. Family can sometimes be a trial, but having good friends makes all the difference.
What a sweet tribute. A woman with such talents and encouragement is sure to be missed. Your family is blessed to have such memories.
Yes, we are. Thanks, Lynne!
My parents are realists. They always encouraged us to do our best. When we didn’t or when we outright failed at something, they were always there to talk to and figure things out with. I am lucky that I still have both of them in my life. It’s hard to have those same chats with my Dad becaise he’s getting worse with dementia.
Precious memories. They helped shape you into the person you are today, and now you have the chance to serve them in return as they age. It’s hard, but it’s a blessing to be able to give back.
What a treasure to have had such a good relationship with your mother-in-law. She sounds like a delightful woman. And her paintings are beautiful!
I married into a wonderful family!
I am so very sorry for your loss and what a wonderful mother in law you had. Her paintings are Beautiful and how very nice and sweet of her for supporting you and loving your books ! My greatest supporters were always my mom and dad, they always told my 5 siblings and I to always watch out for each other and to always do the very best in everything that we did. So many talks and good advice that they gave us and I have been passing it down to my children and my grandchildren. Have a great day and a great rest of the week.
Thank you, Alicia. It sounds as if your parents were wonderful people. 🙂
A lovely tribute to a beautiful lady and a wonderful relationship… It’s great that she believed in you immediately because a lot of people aren’t like that.
So true! I have to remind myself to be more like that sometimes. It’s really a gift.
Heartfelt condolences on your loss! She’ll be watching over and guiding you all (all y’all!) from above but her personal presence will clearly be missed. HUGS!
Thanks for the virtual hugs, Elissa. Always appreciated. 🙂
Karen, I’m so sorry for you and your family’s loss! My maternal grandmother taught me to knit when I was visiting with her and Grandpa. It was July 1969 and we saw the 1st moon landing on their TV while I was there. I still do a bit of simple knitting but learning to knit first spoiled me for crocheting. I need both needles to control tension. My 7th grade crochet project had all the stitches but was the size of a coin purse; everyone created a hobo style shoulder bag!
Ha! What fun memories, Mary. My grandmother tried to teach me to knit one time, and I just couldn’t get the hang of it. At the time, lack of interest probably contributed. I love seeing my daughter crochet now. It reminds me of those who came before.
Not really just Jesus.
He’s the best there could ever be!
So very sorry for your family’s loss. Losing a parent is never easy. Praying God’s comfort to surround you.
Looking forward to the reunion in heaven with my parents and my in- laws. Thankful for the promise of heaven.
That heavenly reunion will be so glorious! So much joy and love overflowing!
You were so lucky to have such a wonderful and talented mother-in-law. Her paintings are lovely, especially the first one. I am so sorry you have lost such a light in your lives. You have many wonderful memories to warm your hearts in the years to come. She will still be there with you.
My mother quietly supported me in some of my goals. My father never approved of anything I did and she wasn’t about to openly counter that. She supported my dreams and encouraged me to follow them. I think, in a way, she was vicariously having experiences and adventures she never got the opportunity to have herself. By the time I graduated from college and was preparing to go overseas, we were good friends as well as mother -daughter. Sadly, she died 3 years later at 47. There is so much she missed that we wanted to share with her. Luckily, I had a wonderful mother-in-law, but I missed being able to share my wedding, the man I love, and our children, and her great grandchildren with her. I needed more time to make more memories.
It’s so hard to lose a parent early. I lost my dad when I was sixteen, and at every major life event since (graduations, weddings, birth of my kids, first bok published, etc.) I’ve wished he was there. I take great comfort in knowing he would be proud of me and would love the people in my life.