Mom, I have put together this blog for you because I wanted you to know how many people care about you and love you! I hope that reading this post, many happy memories are brought back. You are a very important lady, and I have loved reading what everyone had to say. When I think of you, I think of the movie "It's A Wonderful Life". When the angel Clarence makes it a point that if George Bailey wasn't born everyone's life would be changed dramatically, I always think of your influence. Mom you have been a help and example to so many people, I can't even imagine even just my world without you.
So, Happy 45 Birthday! 45 Isn't bad at all...I mean, shall we count how many races you are running this year? Not to mention the half marathon! Mom, let's face it. You are the woman of the century! We all love and appreciate you. Don't forget that today is YOUR day...make some time for yourself :D
Here you go:
Dear Sherie,
Happy Birthday!!
It has been a long time since Ann and I were at the hospital in Salt Lake and living in our little apartment in Salt Lake in the avenues and bring home our very first little girl. Wow!!
It was so funny, the doctors then would not let the dads in the room and I was waiting just outside the delivery room door and the nurse came out wheeling a cart with a little baby girl laying on her stomach, but her legs and knees pulled up under her so that so that her shiney little bottom was the first thing in view. What an introduction for the new dad. That’s my girl………….!
Anyway, the next thing I remember is the night that we were baby tending at someone’s house in the ward and you were crawling and then pulling yourself up and another, wow ………….when there you were and stepped out, FIRST STEPS…………
Then, we were at BYU and you were about 1 ½ and Ann made you a little dress that she cut and sewed and you had little patent leather shoes with it and you were in a fashion show with Ann. I was so proud that I propped you up in a tree in front of our little C-12 Wyview Village apartment and took your picture. I know somewhere we still have that shot and also one of you at the fashion show in the Skyroom of the Wilkensen Center at BYU where your mom displayed you and your fashion dress and sang, “I could have danced all night” Wow , again, I will never forget it.
Years of fun and your leadership for helping mom pull all the troops together and hearding them into and out of the car, stores and church.
You have always been a leader and so willing to do things (serve) and never gave me any sas! What a girl. We are so proud of you.
Love, always
Dad
Sherie and I used to play together a lot when we were young. I of course always looked up to her as often a younger sibling does, and I usually tried to copy whatever she was doing. I started piano lessons because I wanted to play like she did. We used to have weekend nights when Mom would let us stay up a bit later and sleep in the same room, often with a long game of Clue or Monopoly dragging into the night. Future Cope siblings can probably thank Sherie for the 100 or so cats that would some day come through our doors, she set that tradition up early back in Chattanooga...
We moved a lot when we were young, and thankfully I always had Sherie as a friend.
Sherie read HUGE books when she was a kid, Gone With the Wind and Roots are the two I always remember. When she was in 5th or 6th grade she put on a play in school of some scenes from Gone With the Wind. I got to skip out of my class to come watch her show, Scarlet's baby girl falling off the horse and dying I think, it was a classic elementary school tear-jerker.
I remember her school campaign in High School and all of the Scope signs and banners we made, I remember her first getting her driver's license and she and I getting in an accident only a few blocks from our house in Mom and Dad's brand new van. ( It was NOT our fault!) I remember a lot of early morning Seminary with Sherie, and felt pretty great the first year I got to go. She and I would hop in our cool 70s white Camero (she had wanted a much cooler Mustang, and some how I think it was my fault we ended up with the Camero with uncool avocado green interior) and speed up Roundrock to the chapel. I remember a lot of early morning donut runs, and also once completely whiting out some guy's car windows with shoe polish to pay him back for something he had pulled on Sherie.
Sherie was there for me during my first year at BYU, and Sherie and Jim's attic apartment was a little refuge for me whenever I wanted to visit.
She has inspired me with her running, her biking, her strong work ethic, raising five great kids and for often being the calm and wise oldest sibling that she never asked to be, but that she willingly shoulders...right? Here's to 45 great years, and 45 more to come!!!!!
I love you sis,
Robert
Let's see...favorite memories of Sherie...where do I begin. One of my favorite memories was when the family had gone to Lagoon years ago...Sherie, I and I think Lisa....went on the free flying ride....where they strap you into a personal harness and hook you up to a cable and then lift you up in the sky and make you pull on a cord to release you and then you go soaring through the air...well we were all so scared, we sat up there ready to pee our pants laughing hysterically at who was going to be the brave one to pull the cord...after a good 5 minutes of hanging up in the air...Sherie finally reached over and yanked the cord and off we went....that is one of my favorite things about Sherie is her sense of humor. We have had numerous late night talks that leave us with mascara running down our faces with tears of laughter as we try not to pee our pants!!!! Those are the best!!
I remember her first few driving experiences when we moved to Texas. And her famous accident with the new van in Plano. She was going to the store and I wanted to go with her sooooo bad, but my mom said no. I don't think she even got a few blocks away and doah! I remember Sherie was always the privileged one who got to sit on the back row of the van over in the corner as we drove all of from Texas to Utah. We were all envious of her spot, I see now why she chose that spot....smart girl. I remember the day she said she was getting married...I cried thinking I was going to loose my big sister. Had I only known I was gaining a brother and soon to be several of my favorite nieces!
The things I admire about Sherie is her heart...bigger than Texas itself! She is such an example of compassion, caring, service, and hard work. Sherie has not only helped me personally through ruff times in life but she serves those around her continually. In these last years, she has become an inspiration to me of the kind of woman I want to be. She is spiritually grounded and it shows. I've seen her take the time to read scriptures with her family and to study them on her own. She can handle a million things at once and not show her stress, she stays calm and collected. Her new found love for fitness and pushing herself to attain new goals is really inspiring. She has always been one to get up and go, or be the one to put the party together. She is an incredible woman, and an amazing big sister. I have been blessed to have her in my life. We all have, she has been the glue that has held us together for years...not only through personal trials but family ones as well.
Regardless of whatever her birthday age may be she will always be thirty something to me, full of energy, spunk, and love!!!! I love you Sherie...more than you'll ever know. Thanks for being the head of this crazy clan of kids mom and dad decided to have. (Lucy...pass out the xanax....uhm...I mean the ballots!) :) Happy Birthday...this year and every year!!!
Love you,
Annette
I think Sherie must have received a lot of phone calls as she was the first nurse of the family. I recall not just a phone call but a trip to the ER. I had this strange boil on my back that felt and looked like a pimple on steriods. And if I remember right, Annette drove me done there to UVRMC. Sherie was working, and she had a doctor come look at my back. He said I would need a shot, which Sherie administered, and then he proceeded to cut me up. I couldn't see what was going on, but by the look on Sherie and Annette's faces, I figured I was glad that I couldn't see. I was bandaged up and healed just fine, and I got out of there without paying a dime! So thanks Sherie for taking care of me! You've always been positive, funny, and wise. And you spark up the family time whenever you are around. Happy Birthday!
-Nate
Sherie,
You are amazing! You are a listening ear, a confidante, a friend...a sister. I admire your steadfastness, your faith, your devotion, and your loyalty. I have always felt at ease and comfortable talking to you, and I have always valued your opinion. I am grateful for your example and I am grateful for your family. I believe the measure of a parent is how well they raise their children, and Stephen and I have looked to you and Jim over the years and can only hope that our parenting skills are comparable. I love you and I feel very blessed that I can call you my friend and my sister.
Love,
Edika
My favorite memories of Sherie are when we lived in Texas and almost every night we would come over and play dominoes and talk and laugh! We loved being around her contagious laugh! One day Sherie came over to our house. While we were talking, our electricity got shut off and I was sad...then Foxy pooped on the carpet and I had a full on break down. Sherie was so understanding, and she probably avoids me ever since ;)
And then there was that one time in Vegas when she bought me a pair of $70 shoes! I still have them! I refuse to throw them away, they are the nicest shoes I've ever had, and they are still the most comfortable I've ever had! Everytime I see them I think of how thoughtful and caring about everyone she is.
And when we had Taylor, Sheri helped us figure out how to deal with her acid reflux and told me to sleep her in a car seat. Magic!
I also LOVED going to Sephora with her and watching her get a makeover like Julianne Moore :)
There are so many wonderful memories of Sherie is the best biggest sister ever!
Krissie Cope
Sherie is extremely understanding, patient, and ever loving of everyone in the family. Her being there for me when I was broken down and crying meant more to me then she probably realized. She's the kind of person you know you can rely on if you should ever need it, no matter how far away she tries to move. :) I appreciated her strong story of growing her testimony she shared with us all, I still have the email, and appreciate having such a strong example to lead this crazy family. She is a great mother, a damn hard worker, never quits, never gives up, is full of life and love, and I admire her for it. I truly don't know if I could ever be all that she is. She holds us together, and I love her for that, love her for knowing she's there if you need her, and love her for her infectious laugh and personality. Love you big sis!
-Pooks
Sherie and Jim took Devan and I out to eat in Downtown McKinney. It was about 2001. We were all having a good time. As we were leaving Sherie and Jim started to joke with each other, next thing I knew she's flipping him the bird! I almost died. My Molly Mormon image of her was forever shattered!
Of course there are all the sweet memories of a New Year's eve, yummy dinners, and lots of sealings, but I love "the bird" memory the best.
I think your Mom is spectacular.
-Nadene
Alison,
This is so wonderful what you are doing for your mom and I am honored that you asked for my memories of your mom. It was hard to narrow them down but the main ones focused around Girls Camp and Youth Conference. Until some one has been to a Young Woman's Girls Camp it is very hard to describe the experience. It is just the best!
One of the things that I have always admired about your mom is her patience. She can be in the middle of the worst crisis and she is so wonderful to keep her cool and just keep moving ahead. She was the nurse at sooo many Girl's Camps and every time I had to walk yet another YW down to her because someone had a headache or did not feel well - she was always so kind and patient with each girl and showed each one of them such love. She was truly an example to me.
My MOST favorite memory is when she and I were "tent mates" at a Youth Conference. We arrived very late and were stuck setting our tents up in the middle of the night. Poor thing - I was just a chatter box that night and I talked and talked and talked and she was so sweet to listen to me and add her thoughts and her personal experiences. It was just a delightful night for me and I learned so much about your mom and things that helped me with what I was going through at the time but I am sure that Sheri made a mental note to never "bunk" in the same tent with me again. She was just the best!
One of the other things that I am most thankful for is how she has embraced my wonderful daughter as her own. Krysta truly loves Sheri and it is because your mom has opened her heart and her home to Krysta. I know that Krysta is such a wonderful young woman and I am very blessed to have her as my daughter but it is terrific woman like your mom that have helped to influence Krysta and to help her shape her life and want to emulate mothers like Sheri.
I will forever be grateful for Sheri's influence in my daughter's life and am honored to share these thoughts and memories with you. Thank you so much!
I love you tons Miss Alison and miss you even more! Give Riley hugs and kisses for me!
Muah!
Momma Kandy
I LOVE YOUR MOM! I love being around your mom and I have many memories to chose from but a favorite one for her 45th birthday would definitely be when we were in Vegas for multiple nights of Donny Osmond in concert (don't laugh...I LOVE him) and one night just she and I were walking around the casino and a couple of guys approached us and started talking to us and we kept walking and they were following us and asking us to stop and party with them and she turned around and said something like, "Seriously, I have a wonderful husband and 5 kids at home...really?" it blew them away that they were hitting on a married mother of 5! She turned back around and we kept walking and laughing. Seriously good times!!
Let me know if you need more because we could talk about Destin, or the house in Navarre, Oklahoma City (to see Donny again) or our many successful trips to Canton...what an incredible friend she has been through hard times and good times. She's not a fair weathered friend she's a forever friend.
Love you all!!
Laura
Since i was in fourth grade, i have been singing in choirs. I love to sing and i love to perform. My favorite part was having my parents come and watch me sing. Since i moved away from home and went off to college, things changed a little bit. I was still singing, now in the BYU women's chorus, but now- so far from home- my parents were not able to come and watch me do my favorite thing. I still enjoyed singing, and i had some friends come and watch me, and i was even lucky enough to have some of my family members who live here in Utah come and watch. But my favorite concert was our Christmas performance this past year. It was my favorite because someone very special was able to be there- my mom. My dad was able to fly her out as a treat to the both of us. She came for the weekend and was able to watch me sing in the choir concert. After our performance, I loved being able to come out knowing she was there to tell me I did a good job. I was so glad and grateful she came down to support me. Mom has always supported me in everything I did. She made her greatest effort to be at all my performances and sports games and events I was apart of. I loved having her at all of those things, every step of the way.
Another one of my memories of mom is slightly more in a general sense. One of the things I love about mom is how she is very outgoing. She is always planning fun little trips for our family to go on and spend time with one another. Family time is very important to my mom and I am glad that she stressed it so much. It has helped us become unified and has helped me become close to my siblings. Speaking of family time, every night before bedtime mom would gather everyone around for family prayer. The best times of family prayer were when our family was previously playing games and all in a good, laughing mood. There are just those times that I am sure many families have experienced, when the laughing is just uncontrolled yet it is still time to say prayer. Well I have the clearest visual image of mom's face when it is her turn to say the prayer. We are all gathered 'round, and we try to say the prayer. First time. Fail. Mom starts busting out laughing, which in turn makes everyone else laugh. A few minutes go by and then we try again. Second time. Fail again. Mom just can't hold in her giggles. Dad of course is tired and getting irritated saying that if she can't do it then he will. Then mom says that, no of course she can say the prayer. Finally, third time, mom says the prayer with a few giggles here and there. I love seeing her laughing, smiling face. Mom is so fun to be with! I love having girl time with her, being able to talk about anything with her, and going out on the town with her. She is so much fun, and I cherish all of our memories together.
Pretty much my mom is the best ever. She is so caring and loving towards me and our whole family. She is awesome, confident, dedicated, and excited about life. I am grateful for the person she is, and the person she has helped me become. Happy Birthday Mommy! You deserve all of the best wishes in the world. May all of your hopes and dreams come true on your very special day. :)
Love, Melinda
I can't say more than just this; you are the most perfect mom! I wouldn't want to trade anyone else for you. You know how to make me pursue my talents, make me laugh, provide for me, teach me how to be a hard worker, but most you show me how much you love me! I can't imagine what I'd do without you. Honestly with all my crazy ideas and laughs and jokes I don’t know who else would understand me the most. Even though there might be times when I'm soo angry at stupid things the second you see it you turn it around and do a silly dance or something. You truly are the greatest and I couldn't ask for a more caring, beautiful, "young" mom:) your my inspiration and I'm glad I have you as a part of my life:)
love Ellen
My favorite memories of mom are going on our dates, the carribean cruises, looking into her eyes and genuinely telling her I love her.
I love when we get to hold hands and just walk.
I also love when mom is just sitting on the couch relaxed with her glasses on. She really is the most beautiful woman I know!!!!
-Lover Boy
Gj’s Memory:
The time we all watched mom tried to blow out her candle and needed help!
Riley’s input:
Soon to be grandma..fingers crossed
Helped me plan the engagement
Excited, always to see me!
Riley = Sheries’ favorite son in law
It’s so fluffy Im gonna die
Example of a great mother
Work-a-holic
OMG, she is beautiful
Overflowing of good tears
Makes it a point to ask about my family
Example of a great spouse
Right, ALWAYS right
Dear Mother Sherie,
Happy Birthday! Wow 34 already!! Where does all the time go? Well mother Sherie I am trying to think of a great memory of you. I will never forget the first time we met. It was at Grandma Copes at the bottom of the staircase right outside the little library office. I was surprised by how short you were. How did you ever have such a tall girl? Still a mystery.
Well...Happy Birthday!
Take it easy. And just wait for me to be spotting those deer in Yellowstone. It will be a riot.
With love,
Ben
Sherie!!
Where to even start... Sherie has been like a second mom to me since I turned 11, moved to McKinney, and became Alison's best friend. And I think there are way too many memories. Laughing, getting in trouble, and loving memories. There was the time that I made my first trek to Utah with the Woomer clan and while hiking the Y and lets just say I had to "go." No worries Sherie was there like any mom would be and found me a non poisonous leaf to wipe with. There were the several times at girls camp that she bandaged us up when hurting. The times she would tell me that I was responsible for Alison... that was a hard task, but she trusted me. The time she dropped everything to take my friend to the emergency room because we decided hopping the fence to a neighborhood pool was smart. Last there are all the times now that I remember joking with her about lots of things from picking weeds for an important wedding to learning how to survive outdoor camping. Most of my memories have faded into one great "warm fuzzy feeling." But, I can say that Sherie is a kick-butt awesome mom. She is loving and generous, witty and cleaver, comical and sympathetic at all the right times. She has given me a best friend that I am eternally grateful for. I can say with out a doubt she has influenced my life in more ways than I can ever thank her for! Thank you for all the advice and love you have shared with me momma Woomer!
Love Krysta
The best memories I have of Sherie are usually at the 4th or Christmas when we are all up WAY later than man or God intended and the jokes aren't as funny as they should be but we are just laughing so hard our sides hurt and our eyes burn from lack of sleep and pure exaustion and yet we still stay up for some reason? Awe good times good times. Sherie always makes you feel welcome and included, and I love that about her.
Jake Cope
Wow lots of memories with Sherie and the whole Woomer clan. Our girls have grown up together!!
I think I will always remember the way Sherie welcomed me and my girls into the ward when we had only been members a few months. We had gotten lost in the shuffle of a huge ward and were feeling quite lost.
Sherie welcomed me at a primary activity and made me feel so loved and at home, I will never forget her kindness and genuine love for us during that time of great transition. Love you Sherie, hope your birthday is as wonderful as you are!!
Love you,
Trish
**a few more stories and pictures to come soon!
Although Sherie and I have only seen each other a handful of times in the past 30 years, what I remember most about her is her positive outlook on life--always smiling--and her ability to remain calm in stressful or chaotic situations (or at least she always appeared that way to me!). I admire that about her. Our lives have taken very different paths since we were silly teenagers in Delaware, but I will always consider her a friend. Happy Birthday, Sherie!
Love (DNQ),
Pam
The Honorable Boo
Sherie you amaze me!! You have sooo much faith and are always looking for ways to increase it even more--always reading and searching and learning. You are a great example to me and have been an important influence on my daughters through Young Womens. I am always in awe of your humble and sweet messages and the amount of effort that you put forth, not only for her own family, but for all the people that you love and serve. I am grateful to be able to call you my friend--Happy Happy Birthday!!!
Alison--you are so awesome--what a thoughtful thing to do for your Mom--you're a good daughter!! It would appear that the "apple" really doesn't fall far from the 45 year old tree!! Tee Hee ;)
Love
Marlena
Dear Sherie
It is hard to put into words how much you mean to me.
You are like the daughter I never had.
For ten years, you have been there for me in so many
ways. When I was in the Hospital, you were there.
Today, even with so much on your Agenda, you took the
time to take me to do errands.
You are a special person.
God bless you. I love you.
Sue
Sherie is one of the most kind and genuine people I know. She always looks beautiful, has raised her children to know who they are, and knows how to love and take care of all those around her. About 8 years ago, Dave and I were living in a duplex, had just moved away from most of my family in Utah, and I was pregnant with Madeline. Sherie and her family had come to visit for a bit and on their way out of town came by to say goodbye really quickly. She came to the door dressed perfectly put together as always, and was wearing this beautiful coat lined with faux fur that looked really warm. After we hugged goodbye I mentioned how I liked her coat, she humbly said thanks and headed to the car. A few minutes later the doorbell rang again, and it was Sherie, giving me her coat, telling me how she had too many, it was no big deal, I can’t remember the exact reason. I tried to refuse but she insisted I keep it. I will never forget her generosity that day, that is who Sherie is. She will literally give you the coat off her back. Thank you for being a friend Sherie. Happy Birthday!
Love, your sis-in-law, Kelly
