A Great Accomplishment

When my Uncle Larry Byer married the love of his life, Jeanette Morton, she became the first daughter-in-law my grandparents ever had. My grandparents had nine children…two sons, Larry and Wayne, and seven daughters, Evelyn, Virginia, Deloris, Collene, Bonnie, Dixie, and Sandy. Larry was the oldest boy, Wayne the youngest, with three sisters before Larry, three sisters after Wayne, and my mom, Collene Byer Spencer, right in the middle.

My grandparents were used to girls and all their mixed emotions, but before Aunt Jeanette, the new additions had always been men…husbands for the daughters. I imagine it must have been a bit of a culture shock to welcome another girl into the mix. In a family overflowing with girls, adding boys always seemed to settle things down, calming the emotions of the girls as well. I suppose Uncle Larry and Aunt Jeanette might have thought that a daughter-in-law could stir up more emotions, but they couldn’t have been more wrong. To me, Aunt Jeanette has always been a calm, mellow person with a wonderful laugh that lights up everyone’s face. I honestly can’t remember a time without her, since she married my Uncle Larry on February 11, 1956, just two months before I was born. Her sweet personality was a asset to the family. She never has had an unkind word for anyone.

Aunt Jeanette has always been such a kind and thoughtful person, which I’m sure is what drew Uncle Larry to her as well. She had been a friend of the family for quite some time before she and Uncle Larry began dating, so in many ways, she naturally fit right in. Still, Aunt Jeanette brought a unique sweetness, a blend of Grandma Byer’s warmth and her own gentle charm, to the family. She’s one of those rare people who still sends Christmas cards, simply because she wants her loved ones to know she’s thinking of them. That’s just who she is…and always has been.

Aunt Jeanette has almost always been the only sister-in-law in the family, and the only one that remained for life, but to the rest of the siblings, she feels more like a true sister. She’s won their hearts in countless ways, with her kindness and generosity known to anyone who’s ever needed a helping hand. Always quick with comforting words, she makes it clear that whatever you need, she’ll be there. Today we celebrate Aunt Jeanette’s 90th birthday…such a great accomplishment!! Not everyone is so blessed as to live that long. Aunt Jeanette is indeed blessed. Happy birthday, Aunt Jeanette! Have a great day!! We love you!!