Thank you ]]>
Penny expressed great love and support for you and John. We enjoyed a running email commentary about our families and she expressed so often how much she was proud of you.
Thank you again for sharing…
Steve ]]>
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Please do let me know via email. Thanks in advance.
]]>My mom is Penny Everhart. I would like to share a few words about her.
My mom is the hardest worker I have ever met and probably will ever meet. She divorced my father early in life after many years on travelling the US, eventually ending up in Nashville because my dad was transferered there… if you get a chance, ask her about adventures, they are pretty amazing. In the end, she wound up with two kids under the age of three. She transported us kids (3 and 1.5 yrs) back to Washington from Tennessee. From then on she worked her butt (excuse the language) off to go back to school and earn a degree in interior design while working full time at The Bon Marche (now Macys) while raising two children who were in preschool and elementary school (she put my dad through school by working insane hours several years prior). She worked so hard sometimes I wondered if she ever slept. Her priority was her children and their future. She bought her first home on her own in Redmond only because it had a good school district. She didn’t care about where she lived, she just wanted to make sure that her kids has a good life. She wanted this so badly because she did not have the life that most kids should have. When my mom was 12 years old she lost her father to a car accident. Her mother (who I would’ve love to have know more) was her rock but was forced to support a family of 6 kids on a JCPenny wage. After the age of 12 my mother won the nation badmition champtionship–something she won’t tell most people because she is so humble.
Anyway, back to my life with mom… I am 28 now and my mom has been working with Steve in the tile industry for most of my life. She has been so dedicated to it and strived for perfection. She not only wanted to make great sales, she wanted to make her clients happy which most times went hand in hand. She never steered a designer in the wrong direction. She was brutally honest and her clients/designers respected her for that. She only did well because she treated everyone the way she would want to be treated. She is someone for all of us to look up to.
My mom is not only an amazing salesperson, she is an amazing mom. I cry as I write this but she opened so many doors for me and made my life so incredible. I love her to death and I know many of those around her do to. She is so incredible.
As a kid she wanted me to have the chance to take part in sports. One day she drove me to the Lake Washington Soccer Associateion office and asked that I be registered for a soccer team. They told her that it was closed and that there was no space available. But, it true Penny fashion, she did not take no for an answer. As we were driving away in mom’s old Volvo (those old timers know which Volvo I am talking about–thank God it is gone!) a lady came out banging on mom’s car saying that she found a spot–way to go mom!!!! I have now been playing for 23 years including college play. It is my mom who knew I had potential and got me there. If there was a way, my mom would get there.
In the end, I just want people to know that my mom is the most amazing person. She has always cared for others more than she has cared about herself–employees or family. She has never lied or miseld anyone, what you see is what you get with her. She has loved everyone she has worked with and often came home with fantastic stories. I know that she will miss working though she deserves a break after 48 years of working.
I love my mom dearly and I would never be where I am without her. She has pushed me to new levels, encouraged my when I was down and been the best friend I could ever ask for. I love her more than anything in the world.
Mom, you are my hero. I love you so much. I am so proud of you. I want to be the person you are but getting to that level is nearly impossible.
You are my rock, you are my best friend. I am so blessed to be your daughter. I LOVE YOU MORE.
Your daughter,
Alison
And yes, Travis and I will give you your first grandchild… just be patient xoxox