Name/Title
Magazine, Inspire, Memories Of Motherhood/Nurturing a Purposeful LifeDescription
Memories Of Motherhood/Nurturing a Purposeful Life from the Magazine InSpire May 2011
Memories of Motherhood
By Renee Wahlen Tillema
With six children, nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, Georgene Mulder has years of mothering experience. Georgene and her husband, Junior, raised their children on a farm outside of Waupun. It was not always easy with six children, several of whom had special needs, but Georgene remembers the hugs, the "I love yous," and many dandelion deliveries. While Junior farmed and later drove school bus, Georgene found her calling with Tupperware.
"When we had four small children it seemed we were drowning in doctor bills and medical expenses," she explained. "I decided to try Tupperware as a means to supplement the income. It was something I could do at night so dad could be home with the kids. Two more children later and now I had six reasons that getting out of the house was good for me."
Georgene found this business to work well for her family, she was with the children throughout the day, and Junior could spend time with them in the evenings when she had parties. The children helped with stamping catalogs and bagging orders. Later, when the children were grown, her husband joined her in the Tupperware demonstrations and parties, they became a team. Junior would help Georgene set up and then would entertain the children, he became known as "Grandpa Tupperware."
"Tupperware has been just a real blessing for our family," she said. "It put food on the table, helped to pay doctor bills, and I guess the therapy I received couldn't be measured in dollars and cents. It was so good to have an outside outlet. There is nothing more important than being a mom, but mom needs some down-time too."
This couple has also been faced with challenges over the years. Eight years ago, their oldest daughter passed away suddenly, and about five years ago, Junior went to live at a nursing home in Fond du Lac due to Alzheimer's. Georgene visits him regularly, and continues to keep her positive attitude.
"I learned that the most important things in life aren't bought with money," she said. "Count your blessings. I just would not be comfortable living a sheltered self-centered life, because I am so blessed that I try so hard to inspire and pass it along to other people. We should aspire to inspire before we expire."
Georgene said that while they did not always have many material goods, they were content and satisfied with what they had, especially with their close family bond. She believes everyone has a purpose in their life, and since discovering her own, she strives to help others find their true purpose.
"All that I have and all that I am is just because of the grace of God," Georgene said. "We are just so blessed. He is my stronghold and just knowing He is in control each day when I wake up is my assurance. He gives me the faith and the confidence and the strength to do each day what I need to."
To celebrate her 50 years with Tupperware, Georgene attended a celebration in Florida where she was honored for this achievement. She credits Tupperware with helping her to find the good in many situations, and talks about her Positive Mental Attitude as her PMA.
"My children have heard me talk about this, it's so important," Georgene said. "Attitudes are contagious, is yours worth catching? There is always the bright side to look at."
While life has taken her family through many twists and turns and challenges with a growing family, Georgene focuses on the rewards. One of those is seeing her own children blossom into parents themselves and then experiencing the joy of being a grandparent.
"Some of the things you see them patterning or doing, you remember teaching them," she said. "It just comes around full circle. God is in control of all the circumstances He puts in my life, but I am in control of how I react to these circumstances. I tried to tell my children that you can be anything you want to be and if you want it bad enough just ask the Lord to help you."
One incident stands out in her memory of a day when she was sitting on the floor playing a game with the children — the lunch dishes were still on the table, the kitchen was a mess, and her mother and grandmother walked in the front door.
"I could have cried," Georgene said. "I asked why they didn't tell me they were coming. Grandma said to me, 'Your children will never remember how often you cleaned the kitchen, but they will never forget how often you sat on the floor and played with them.' That came back to me many times as I thought about how there were more important things than a clean house when your children are little. Each stage as they are growing up should be the most important part of your life."
Georgene likes to keep herself busy, and when she is not hosting Tupperware parties, she volunteers at Bargains Galore, teaches Sunday School, goes to the fitness club and is a member of the Red Hat Society.
"We are all here for a reason, we each are unique and have something to contribute," Georgene
said. "Too often we let our talents lay hidden. Being parents is challenging, but so rewarding. It's a great role that God has given us to fill."
First Photo:[This photo from a 1981 Tupperware®magazine, pictures some of the growing Mulder family with in-laws and grandchildren.]
Second and Third Photos:[Below, Georgene with one of her great-grandchildren. At right, Georgene and Junior Mulder.]
Nurturing a Purposeful Life
Ift's 1:00 pm and the familiar sound of a sewing machine hard at work is softly heard in the distance. Poised at her machine, Jeanette will launch into her next sewing project, oblivious to the footsteps of staff and visitors as they pass by. Later today, her evening sewing time will be cut a bit short; she will finish the children's book she's sewing just in time to begin her shift as a volunteer greeter.
Meet Jeanette Decker, resident of the Christian Home & Rehabilitation Center in Waupun.
Life can change in a second. On February 25, 2009, life stood still and then turned upside down for Jeanette Decker, when she and her husband were involved in a devastating motor vehicle accident. The accident occurred when a speeding motorcyclist collided head-on with their vehicle, claiming the life of the motorcyclist. Elmer, her husband was treated and released from the hospital. Jeanette, however, suffered extensive injuries.
Jeanette's injuries included multiple fractures, internal and head injuries. The degree of her injuries was such that her respiratory status was compromised to the point that mechanical ventilation was required.
On April 20, 2009, Jeanette was discharged from the hospital and admitted to the Christian Home & Rehabilitation Center for skilled care and rehabilitation. On admission, Jeanette was only able to actively move her right arm, was breathing through a tracheostomy tube, unable to speak, and required intensive skilled care. "When I arrived at the Christian Home, I was happy to be there but didn't know what the future would hold."
"I knew I had a choice to make; to try as hard as I could to get better or to do nothing. I chose to work hard." Over the next several months, Jeanette worked diligently with physical, occupational and speech therapy professionals towards her goal to become as independent as possible. "The therapy staff was wonderful...they rejoiced with me in each accomplishment I made. When I took my first step — all available Christian Home staff gathered in the Therapy Department to cheer me on, and I can tell you from my heart, I felt the love of everyone there and that made a difference!"
As Jeanette healed and progressed in therapy her strength and endurance increased. Enough so that she had the desire to sew again — a hobby enjoyed prior to the accident. So in came her machine, ready for action. Now Jeanette would begin to command her hands to guide her fabric and her feet to monitor the speed of her stitches —initially working for just minutes and then progressing to segments of time throughout the day. Soon she would be turning out delightful doll clothes, which she donates to the Christian Home General Store, and her newest creation — educational cloth books for toddlers.
Sewing isn't the only thing giving Jeanette purpose. She also is a Christian Home volunteer, participating two evenings per week as a greeter at the reception desk. "Jeanette is truly an inspiration to the staff of the Christian Home & Rehabilitation Center," said Fawn Senn, Social Worker. "She inspires all of us to value life and make the best of the hand we are dealt."
While Jeanette has come a long way in her recovery, she still requires the skilled care provided by professionals at the Christian Home & Rehabilitation Center. "The nurses at the hospital called my wife the `miracle lady' and each day she continues to work hard to become more independent," said her husband.
Jeanette and Elmer recently celebrated their 58th Wedding Anniversary. "This type of situation is hard on a marriage — I want Elmer to have a life too. I'm happy he has things to do that he enjoys, like volunteering at Bargains Galore in Waupun. He visits me every day and that time is very important to us."
"God gives me the strength to go on," said Jeanette, "and I know there is a purpose for my being here."
Photos On First Page:[Jeanette with a few of the doll clothes she made that are for sale in the Christian Home General Store. Proceeds go to the Resident Activities Program.]
Second Photo:[Above: Jeanette pictured with some of the Christian Home staff members.]
Last Photo:[Above, Jeanette with her husband Elmer, married 58 years.]Acquisition
Accession
2011.0500Source or Donor
Waupun Newspapers and other newspapers.Acquisition Method
Bequest,Collected byCredit Line
These are basically newspaper article that Jim cut from the newspapers and presented for documentation.
