Happy Mothers Day

Photo: Ron and his mom, Cid, August 1980, at our Lion House Garden Reception, SLC, UT

My mother in law raised an incredible person, my husband, Ron and his brother, Alan. Without warning, just as Ron and Alan were entering their teen years, their dad died at the family dinner table, leaving Cid a young widow with two sons to raise.

She is a great example to me of someone being prepared for what ever paths life may take us down. In a day when many women did not receive or complete education after High School, she was a college graduate with a thirst for knowlege.

After her husband passed away, she was able to remain in the family home and raise her sons with stability and support.

She was the High School Spanish teacher. Ron had her as a teacher and remembers receiving his lowest High School grade in her class (he was number 11 in his graduating class). While she was raising two sons alone and working as a teacher full time, she went back to school and received her Masters and PhD in Linguistics.

During this time, she was awarded Florida's "Teacher of The Year" Award. This news was published in her College, Kent State's, Alumni newpaper. When David Brainard saw this news, he was more interested in the fact that she was single. He looked her up... and the rest... is history. He was a Mormon (LDS) and brought this religion to her, they were married, she was baptized and so were her sons.

I have always been impressed that Cid was always learning and never afraid to try new things as she got older. A new religion, tap dancing, learning other languages, moving across the country, and being very computer literate are a few examples.

Being an American raised in the Panama Canal Zone, she loved other cultures and was fascinated by diversity in people. People from every walk of life call her friend.

At birth, she was named, Clarice Irene Dettor. Hence, her initials C.I.D. written on her P.E. sneakers at school became her name, Cid.

My children were blessed to have "Grandma Cid". My husband was blessed to be raised by such a fine example. I am the beneficiary of a Mother's love and support of her son in my incredible husband.

She passed away in 2001 after a brave battle with cancer.