Celebrations April 9

We have at least two things to celebrate today:  What would have been Phyllis Thompon Shaw's 90th birthday and Terry and Catherine Courtney's 75th wedding anniversary.  In honor thereof, here are two of Phyllis's poems.  One to honor her mother and one for Friends.  The four of them, Raymond and Phyllis, and Terry and Catherine, were friends, beginning when the Shaws moved to Warm Springs, Oregon, in 1955.

                                                 My Mother

Surely you've seen her, the sweetest, kindest woman in the world.
You couldn't have missed her tired, gentle eyes with courage like a flag unfurled.
Her soft, caressing hands that heal the wounds of those to her so dear,
Her ever smiling lips that speak so softly letting you know she is near.

Oh, yes, her once dark, shining hair is liberally sprinkled with silver,
But each thread is the symbol of a victory won, only making her dearer.
Her face, to you, may look a little old and worn, but I think it very pretty.
It's fought battles, to come out, not ravaged, but serene, calm and full of living.

Her heart is brimming full of love, faith, honor, trust and loyalty.
Her mind solves all problems, yet is laughter, song, and happiness, combined with purity.
It takes so little to win her undying gratefulness for a small deed done by another.
Just in case you haven't guessed, all this and much more is----MY MOTHER.

          Phyllis Thompson Shaw
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Phyllis told me one day after she returned from the beauty shop, that the women were all talking (yes, we do that in the beauty shop!) She said most of the ladies were complaining of their mothers/daughters-in-law.   But, she said she and her daughter-in-law got along great and it was a blessing .  She was a blessing - we sure do miss her. 
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                              FRIENDS LIKE YOU.

It's friends like YOU that make life worth living,
It's friends like YOU that put the pleasure in giving,
It's friends like YOU that always stand by,
It's friends like YOU that make friendship never die.

It's friends like YOU that make sorrows seem less sad,
It's friends like YOU that make trouble seem small, though it's bad,
So now I offer up a prayer of thanks to God, for friends so true,
A prayer that everyone may have friends like you.

     Phyllis B. Thompson
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Phyllis had so many friends here in the reservation.  She had lots of stories to tell about the elders here because they so loved to visit her.  She was the Administrative Secretary.  Her desk was at the top of the stairs and many a day there was an elder sitting on the other side of her desk, visiting.  Not all non-Indians are easy for Indians to talk to, but she's was right at home with us.