"Memories of Melissa"
Little Missy in the Woods...Germany 1980
Missy's Birthday Story
In July I started writing birthday stories for each of my five children. This is Missy's story. I will write a little about her birth, then I have an essay I wrote about her when she was in high school. Missy's oldest daughter Madison is a junior in high school. I want her to know what her mother was like when she was 17.
Sweet 17
Melissa Marie Hatfield was named after her great great grandmother, Melissa Kirby Brown and Marie Osmond. She was born on Marie's 18th birthday...October 13, 1977. I wasn't a big fan of the Osmonds, but I loved Marie's outfits on "Donnie and Marie." (Just this past weekend George and I went to Las Vegas for the weekend and got tickets to "Donnie and Marie" at the Flamingo. They put on a great show...and Donnie is still a hottie!)
In the spring of 1977 we moved to El Paso, Texas. George was about to graduate from Army ROTC and Brigham Young University. He had the opportunity to attend an Air Defense Officer Basic Course at Fort Bliss, Texas. We would have to leave BYU before graduation. So one day in early April we found ourselves in the Army ROTC Commander's office where George was sworn into the service and commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant.
George is sworn in and commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant
Then it was time to pack up our gear and load up the VW Bug with Baby Amber in the back seat. We were expecting Baby Missy by then, so she rode with me in the front. Off we went to begin our Texas adventure.
Welcome to Fort Bliss
Baby Bump...a week or so to go!
Once we were settled, I checked in at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center. If I was expecting the personal care of a kindly old physician, I was in for a shock. I shared my appointment with several dozen women in various stages of baby construction. It felt like a cattle call. "Hurry it up, ladies!" snapped the (former Nazi) nurse with the giant clipboard. "Get in line!" We got in line to weigh. We got in line for the Vet to check our teeth. There was a line for urine testing and a line for blood testing. I could have sworn that evil nurse had a cattle prod ready for anyone who dallied. It was like an episode of "Call the Midwife" without the heart and compassion. I never felt so special.
William Beaumont Army Medical Center
In the end it was all worth it. My beautiful dark-eyed baby finally made her way into the world...weighing 9 1/2 pounds.
Pretty Baby in Her Blessing Gown
She was only 14 months younger than her sister Amber, but she soon caught up to her in size. It wasn't long before people were asking us if the girls were twins. As soon as she was six weeks old and able to travel on an airliner, we packed up our household goods again and headed to Germany for our next adventure.
Missy at 19
I don't have any pictures of her fashion sense.
WHEN MISSY WAS YOUR AGE, MADISON...
Here is the story I wrote when Missy was in high school...
My daughter Missy was recently voted "Best Dressed Girl" at Lehi High School, a fact that still has her parents scratching their heads in bewilderment. We've always encouraged Melissa to be her own person, to express her creativity and individuality. Having hated the pressure to "conform" when I was a teenager, I've always stressed that it's not "cool" to be just like everybody else.
Sometimes the hard part about being an individual, is that often, when others fail in their attempts to get you to conform, they then either ignore you or ridicule you. This has never been much of a problem for Missy. Her motto is: "I'd rather be interesting than popular." Based on Missy's unusual sense of style and fashion, I'd say she is the most interesting girl in America.
We interrupt this story for a sports update...Missy on the Soccer Team!
Missy is very beautiful. She has huge dark almond-shaped eyes, a clear creamy complexion that doesn't need cosmetics, and dark brown...uh, I mean mahogany, or is that auburn...hair. Sometimes I think it's called "Magenta Sunset." It doesn't matter if I do eventually figure out which shade of red it is this week. Next week, the bathroom will look like the scene of a grisly crime, with mysterious stains on the towels and counter.
"How do you like my new color?" she'll ask. And I won't know what to say, because no matter what the color is called, it looks exactly the same as the color she tried last week. But I digress. I'm supposed to be telling you about Missy's fashion sense. Here are some of the outfits she has chosen to wear to school:
- A long velvet gown in deep forest green from "The Lady of Shallot Collection."
- Man's polyester suit in a rather nasty shade of brown...or is it gray?
- Blue 1960s prom dress with a train in the back...worn with powder blue running shoes, of course.
- Bleak black dress from the "Wednesday Addams Collection"...only worn on Wednesdays.
- Shiny vinyl skirt with a cut-off man's dress shirt, cufflinks and fluorescent orange patent leather platform shoes.
- Silver mini-dress and accessories from the "Judy Jetson Collection."
- "Woodstock Collection."
- "Gas Station Uniform Shirts Collection."
- For winter..."Fur Coats from the 50s Collection."
Missy's "Collections" have taken over two large closets, stretched dresser space to a critical point, and live in large ominous piles all over her bedroom floor. I used to cringe every time I saw another sack from "Savers" coming through the door with Missy attached to it.
The good thing about shopping at thrift stores is she never spent more than $10 on an outfit. But she doesn't shop there much any more. Ever since the "Best Dressed" thing came out, everyone seems to be buying their clothes at "Savers." Now it isn't any fun. What's the use in trying to be different if everyone dresses just like you?
She came home from school one day all upset. "Mom," she said wearily "I can't believe it. I wore one of my weirdest new outfits to school and...(sigh)...someone else was wearing one just like it!"
So for a few days at least, Missy has been wearing some fairly ordinary clothes. But her highly intelligent mind is always busy. I'm sure she is inventing a new fashion statement that she can't wait to try when she goes to college this fall. I've bitten my nails to the quick waiting to see what she comes up with.
The Graduate
That was the mid 90s. Since then Missy has married and has six daughters of her own, each with her own unique personality. When Missy was small there was a song that always used to make me cry...in fact it still does. It is about a beloved child who grew up too fast. Before her mother could turn around...she was grown and had a life of her own. In my mind, I see my mischievous little girl in her little red German dirndl dress. On tippy toes, she reaches for the door knob and is gone.
Turn Around
Where are you going, my little one, little one,
Where are you going, my baby, my own?
Turn around and you're two,
Turn around and you're four,
Turn around and you're a young girl going out of my door.
Turn around, turn around,
Turn around and you're a young girl going out of my door.
Little Dirndls and Petticoats
Where are you going, my little one, little one,
Little dirndls and petticoats, where have you gone?
Turn around and you're tiny,
Turn around and you're grown,
Turn around and you're a young wife with babes of your own.
Turn around, turn around,
Turn around, and you're a young wife with babes of your own.
---Malvina Reynolds
Wedding Day...Mount Timpanogos Temple
March 14, 1997
My heart leapt with joy on the day Missy married...I couldn't believe that such a beautiful young woman was my daughter! What a blessing she has been to her father and me.
Missy and Madison.
A year and three months later on June 16, 1998, Missy and her husband Matthew Hyde welcomed their first of six daughters into their family...Madison "Marie" Hyde.
Missy's Birthday Cake...Six Candles!
Happy Birthday, Missy!
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