True Love is Unconditional

By Cindy Meyers
Posted Sunday, August 20, 2006

God blessed me with a set of parents that had a terrific philosopy. They believed that true love was unconditional and they showed in in every thing they did. In honor of my mothers birthday I submit the following:
Shirley Durby Myers, 80 Years Young!
On August 11th my mom, Shirley Myers, celebrated her 80th birthday. There are the normal things that can be said about her. She has five children, 12 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. She was a wonderful wife, an extraordinary daughter and is a great mother. My grandmother lived to be 97 and until her death I do not remember a day that mom didn’t stop in and do something for her. To the moment my dad died my mom was literally at his side. Whether they were working in the field, milking cows or he was taking honors for having the highest corn yield in the state of Iowa she stood by his side.Mom has lived a very full life. Most importantly her life has touched so many other lives in a way that has made the world a better place. I can not remember a time when even though there were five of us children, Mom and Dad did not have a foster child or two or three living with us. Our house wasn’t big but they always found room. Today they all still call her mom and are as much a part of our family as they were back then. She was a cheerleader in 1943, the last year her hometown team went to state. She has never stopped being a cheerleader, cheering others on to excel in life and then proudly watching as they became all that they aspired to be always knowing that she believed in them. . Mom has set an example of excellence for all, always willing to serve her church and her community. She taught us that service was important and set the bar so high we often find it hard to reach. Most of all she taught us that love was above all unconditional. She loves us when we are successful and she loves us when we fail, No matter what we always know she loves us and is there for us.
Mom will never make it to the Cowgirl Hall of Fame. Yet she has left her mark on Iowa rodeo. She worked tirelessly helping dad get the “Lincoln Highway Days Rodeo” going. She would go to every parade she could and march in it telling people about the celebration. Several years ago the town honored her by selecting her as the “Queen” of the celebration. She was the grand marshal for the parade. When Dad died the rodeo was dedicated to him and Mom proudly accepted the plaque. August 25th=26th her hometown, Nevada, Iowa, will once again host the rodeo. Few of the younger people in town will remember or even care how it got started or those who worked so hard to make it a successful, but I will. Maybe some day people will remember one of the greatest gifts she gave the world was a daughter with a Rodeo Attitude!