Moving - Transcript

[Annie Mumgaard, narrator/daughter of Mary Mumgaard] My mother is moving.

[Mary Mumgaard, Annie's mother] "I don't think I ever threw anything away. So everything that had a name on it we put in bags. If it didn't have a name on it, it went to the trash. This is a card you got when you were born."

[Annie Mumgaard] "When I was born?"

[Mary Mumgaard] "Uh huh - look at the little comb on it."

[Annie Mumgaard] "Ohhh...."

[Mary Mumgaard] "The thought of leaving here after 36 years, that wasn't easy -- but the longer it goes, hmph, the easier it's getting. Now I'm getting anxious to get moved."

[Annie Mumgaard] My parents moved a lot. That's because they outgrew their houses before they outlived them. When I was three they moved my nine brothers and sisters and myself onto what we called the acreage. The yard had one tree, ten feet of a white fence, and a whole lot of gopher holes, sandburrs and grasshoppers. We doubled up on beds, bathrooms and living space. And mom and dad made our prairie lawn beautiful. My mother is now moving.

[Mary Mumgaard] "We've been going through boxes of Dad's stuff. Uh, boxes and boxes and boxes. He kept everything. Just like me.

"Look, you see what I'm getting at -- November 1946, the 'Iowa Agriculturist.' Cooling tank for milk. Home freezer.

"Shh, quiet please, (LAUGH)

"Your first haircut. It's pretty brown, Annie."

[Annie Mumgaard] There have been many discoveries -- including finding my father's World War II uniform. Eight years ago, my gentle, intelligent father was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. And even in the midst of moving chaos, mom spent time with dad every day.

[Mary Mumgaard] "I've jokingly said that I have asked God through the years to let Dad and I grow old together, but I forgot to say how. So we're growing old together, apart.

"It's pretty outside. A little chilly, but not bad. It's pretty. The sun's shining.

"I'm gonna go now. (Kiss) I love you. You have a good nap. I'll see ya tomorrow."

[Annie Mumgaard:] Yes, my mother is moving, and for the first time in their 55 years of marriage, it will be without my father. And yet, as with every beginning, there is much to look forward to.

[Mary Mumgaard] "This will be my music room, so I can have my piano...

"Well, I just figured I shared a bathroom a lot of years. I'm gonna have my own bathroom. (Giggle)"

[Annie Mumgaard] "What are you looking forward to the most, Mom?"

[Mary Mumgaard] "What am I looking forward to the most? Getting in and getting straightened out. That's what I'm looking forward to the most. I think we've found a lovely house. I really do."

[Annie Mumgaard] My mother is moving. And that's life.