Back in the day the welfare system allowed her to stay at home with her kids until the youngest was in kindergarten.  She took good care of us no matter if we were living in a trailer in the Washington woods, a motel hiding out from my Dad for a year in Oregon, or a summer in a California barn stall.  

Before my sister (the youngest) turned 5 my Mom read lots of books 📚 on what sort of job she was interested in.  2 years of schooling got approval by the Jehovah’s Witness elders.  She took an aptitude test which excited and frustrated her.  Her IQ was so high they said she could do anything!  She decided on Civil Engineering at a community college.  It was the highest earning career in demand with only 2 year degree.

She got a grant to cover the first year.  The second year she was awarded a full scholarship.  All the while raising 3 kids alone and getting us to meetings and in service.  That second year of school she took on a job with the Department of Transportation with the state.  Superwoman ⭐️ She graduated top 1% of her class with golden cords around her neck.  She took a full time job with the DOT as a project manager for the 405 freeway they were constructing outside of Seattle.  She wore a hard hat and steel toed boots and bossed around men, in a JW ladylike way of course.  

It was a huge accomplishment!  From welfare to Engineering with a genius level IQ.  I wonder what more she could have done/been without the Jehovah’s Witnesses discouragement of higher learning?  She could have done anything!

How amazing she was.  

Sometime after graduating in the top 1% she was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder.  She was given 3 years to live, she was only 39.  She lived for 12 years and surprised doctors.  At 51 she passed away.  She refused a liver transplant that would include a blood transfusion.  Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe in blood transfusions.  

She died in 2007.  I miss her so much.  All the time thinking of her.  What could have been without the cult dictating her every move and death.  I just miss her.  She’s an inspiration to me to never give up.  

I’m reading the book Educated 📕by Tara Westover.   It’s a story of a super smart Mormon girl and her journey from no school to Ivy league education.  It’s fascinating and I thought of my mom Dallas Reno.  

I love you Mom 😇