
This is my mother Betty Louise Ansel (Greer) who hails from Sault St. Marie Canada. Her and my dad Norm raised six (6) boys. She has 19 grand-children and 31 great grand-children. I guess that’s why we all affectionately call her “Grannie.” She’s fast approaching the mid-eighty mark on the calendar, and has been without “Papa Bear” (my dad) for almost 32 years. She lives independently, and still drives her little red neon once a week to the beauty shop, where the girls all adore her. Her snow white hair is “what you see is what you get!” No color highlights here. Her dad Kelly also had snow white hair.
As you can see from the pictures mom inherited the high cheekbones from her grandmother (Plains Cree) but got the white hair from her Irish Dad. She had gorgeous auburn hair when she was younger. She never knew her Indian grandmother, as she died very young, and her mother passed away when my mother was just three years old. She was raised by her fathers mother (her grandmother) and never experienced a mother/daughter relationship. Her grandma was “old school” and her dad was busy trying to keep his large family afloat. Mom’s brothers and sister were raised by various family members, so even the sibling aspect of childhood was splintered. Mom has a great outgoing personality, and never met a stranger. Her zest for life, and love for people, has kept her smiling throughout the years.
If you check out the lights shining in mothers window, you’ll see her Christmas tree is still standing! Thank God it’s artificial, cause it has another two months to go. However, there was a day when we would haul out her real tree, to the garbage, without a needle on it. She loves Christmas and she loves her Christmas trees. She also is a totally “wacko,” over the top, hockey nut. She’s a tried and true Red Wing fan, and never misses a game. In fact we avoid visiting when we know a game is being televised. She has a lot of “kin” and many friends, but one in particular has met her every need.
He has “filled” in the hours, days, months, and years. He has actually been closer to her than a brother, as their relationship is rock solid. He’s been her confidant, guide, counselor, friend, father, and even her healer. He’s never left her or forsaken her. He’s showered her with mercy, and imparted grace and truth into her life. He’s made her wise concerning her destiny, and sown compassion and joy in her heart. He’s there each morning for her, and he will not sleep, as he watches over her in the night. He helps her fight loneliness and self pity. He watches her coming and her going. He puts a hedge around her life, and whispers love songs in her ear. He holds her in the palm of his hand, and when she walks through the “fire” she will not be burned. He’s her advocate (lawyer) as He stands in the gap on her behalf. He is altogether lovely, Holy and Just. He is Almighty God, her Everlasting Father, her Savior, her Friend. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. He is her all in all, and his name is “JESUS!”
My mom, even though she is a “squaw,” has been a warrior in the Kingdom of God for many decades. she is a women of prayer, and has intimate conversations with her Lord and Savior. God has heard her plea on many occasions, as miracles surround her prayers. She is an example to her seventy six children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She still comforts us all, and defends us like a “mother bear” even when were wrong. She is a virtuous woman and we (her family) are truly blessed to call her Mom, Grannie, and Gigi.
Love You Mother
Mike