mothers & daughters – Leta McFarland

FAMILY TIES – Leta McFarland, back right, gathers with her family, from left, daughter Brenda Brown, great-granddaughter Erika Fitzpatrick, front, and granddaughter Debbie Fitzpatrick.
    What do you hope your children learn from you?
    Leta: “To show respect and kindness to others.”
    What did you see in your mother that helped when you became a mother?
    Brenda: “She taught me the importance of giving unselfish love and support. She was always there to listen and give me guidance.”
    Debbie: “I have learned many things about being a mother from my mother and grandmother. I realize how important family is to me and that my daughter is my first concern.”
    Now that you are older, looking back what did you appreciate about your mother?
    Debbie: “I appreciated the time that they have spent with me and they were always ready to help me when I needed help.”
    What do you hope to pass on to your children and especially your grandchildren?
    Brenda: “I hope to pass on to my children respect for others, confidence in themselves and pride in what they are doing.”
    Debbie: “I want my daughter to be happy and to always cherish the memories that we have together. I feel my biggest accomplishment will be to raise my daughter so she has a happy life.”
    What is it like to go from being a mother to grandmother and great-grandmother?
    Leta: “As a mother, I didn’t have time a lot of quality time to spend with my children. As a grandmother and great-grandmother, I have more time to do things with them. I could relive my experience as a mother through my grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”
    What do you do together that you enjoy?
     Brenda: “I enjoy spending time with my mother, sharing our favorite memories, shopping and going out to lunch.”
    Erika: “I enjoy going to camp and on trips, spending time with my mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and making things.”