Saturday, January 31, 2009
Sad time
This is a sad time for my family. My older brother passed away this morning. He was 66 years old and suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema. He will be greatly missed by his wife, daughter, sister, brother and several cousins. He served 20 years in the Navy on submarines, was a devoted husband and father. He was preceded in death by his mother, father and a brother. He had a strong sense of family and was a kind man. He seldom complained about anything and even if things were not going well he would always say "can't complain". He will be greatly missed.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Hot Spoon
"Be kinder than you need to be because everyone everyone you meet is fighting some kind of a battle."
As an adult and new mother I was puzzled that my mother would call me long distance (she lived in another state) and tell me that my baby was malnourished and that I needed to get her to the doctor. My baby was in the 90th percentile for height, weight and motor skills. I took her to every well baby appointment and she was a good eater.
When I related this puzzling conversation to my aunt ( on my dad's side) she paused as if she wanted to tell me something. Finally she told me of the time my mother had severely burnt my mouth with a hot spoon to the point she could not get me to eat. The pediatrician had told my mother I was malnourished and she needed to get some food in me. My aunt went on to say that my mother brought me to her and my older cousins would hold me down so that my aunt could force food into my mouth and make me eat. I do not know how many times this occurred before I started to eat again.
My father and mother both told me how as a toddler I would sit on a friend's lap (dad's army buddy) and eat raw onions with tears running down my cheeks. What a strange thing to feed a baby.
As an adult and new mother I was puzzled that my mother would call me long distance (she lived in another state) and tell me that my baby was malnourished and that I needed to get her to the doctor. My baby was in the 90th percentile for height, weight and motor skills. I took her to every well baby appointment and she was a good eater.
When I related this puzzling conversation to my aunt ( on my dad's side) she paused as if she wanted to tell me something. Finally she told me of the time my mother had severely burnt my mouth with a hot spoon to the point she could not get me to eat. The pediatrician had told my mother I was malnourished and she needed to get some food in me. My aunt went on to say that my mother brought me to her and my older cousins would hold me down so that my aunt could force food into my mouth and make me eat. I do not know how many times this occurred before I started to eat again.
My father and mother both told me how as a toddler I would sit on a friend's lap (dad's army buddy) and eat raw onions with tears running down my cheeks. What a strange thing to feed a baby.
Monday, January 19, 2009
A Cry Silenced
A pessimist would say their glass is half empty, an optimist would say their glass is half full.
I say, my glass is half full, there is room for more, whatcha wait'n for, filler 'er up please. :)
My dad was a soft spoken, kind hearted, gentle man. He was the biggest influence in my life. On occasion when I would do stupid kid stuff, my dad would say to me "you must have been dropped on your head as baby". I always thought this kind of odd but didn't ask what he meant. I lost my dad in 1984, I think of him everyday and miss him.
My mom and dad were married sometime before I was born. One might say I was an unexpected event. My mother was 31 and my dad was 37. We lived in a two room apartment, one was the kitchen and the other larger room served as the bedroom and living room. It was attached to other apartments to form a square. I remember there was a community outhouse in the center of the square of apartments and across the street were buildings referred to as 'cribs', where winos and prostitutes hung out. Down the street at the end of the the apartments was a liquor store and attached to that was a neighborhood grocery.
Later on as an adult a close family friend told me a story about how my mother, when she could not get me to quit crying would throw me against the wall. I was lucky, I didn't suffer any broken bones or brain damage. I asked my older brother about these incidents as there is quite a bit that I don't remember and he said he remembers discussions about my being thrown against the wall.
I say, my glass is half full, there is room for more, whatcha wait'n for, filler 'er up please. :)
My dad was a soft spoken, kind hearted, gentle man. He was the biggest influence in my life. On occasion when I would do stupid kid stuff, my dad would say to me "you must have been dropped on your head as baby". I always thought this kind of odd but didn't ask what he meant. I lost my dad in 1984, I think of him everyday and miss him.
My mom and dad were married sometime before I was born. One might say I was an unexpected event. My mother was 31 and my dad was 37. We lived in a two room apartment, one was the kitchen and the other larger room served as the bedroom and living room. It was attached to other apartments to form a square. I remember there was a community outhouse in the center of the square of apartments and across the street were buildings referred to as 'cribs', where winos and prostitutes hung out. Down the street at the end of the the apartments was a liquor store and attached to that was a neighborhood grocery.
Later on as an adult a close family friend told me a story about how my mother, when she could not get me to quit crying would throw me against the wall. I was lucky, I didn't suffer any broken bones or brain damage. I asked my older brother about these incidents as there is quite a bit that I don't remember and he said he remembers discussions about my being thrown against the wall.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
autobiography request
I have had a request from a reader to write my experience growing up in a orphanage. Since both my father and mother are deceased perhaps this is the time to examine those experiences that have been pushed aside in order to get on with my life. I will need to start at the beginning as this explains the situation of how my younger brother and I were put in the orphanage. Hopefully this adventure will not be boring for the readers as I am not an experienced writer. The posts will be done weekly and will be short. Names of individuals will be changed to protect their identity in the writing.
I believe that yesterday is not something to dwell upon, it is spent, can not be redone, can not be relived and tomorrow isn't here yet and we don't know what it will bring, so no sense in worrying over it; ah, but today, each and everyone of us has within us the ability to choose what kind of day we will have.
I was born on February 20, 1953 to a 31 year old alcoholic mother, the middle child of three children. I had an older brother that was 10, when I was born. I feel extremely fortunate to be alive because between my brother's birth and my birth my mother had another pregnancy in which she decided to have an abortion. This was related to my by my grandfather's second wife, who is the only grandmother I ever knew. So there were three children my older brother, myself and my younger brother who was born in 1956.
I believe that yesterday is not something to dwell upon, it is spent, can not be redone, can not be relived and tomorrow isn't here yet and we don't know what it will bring, so no sense in worrying over it; ah, but today, each and everyone of us has within us the ability to choose what kind of day we will have.
I was born on February 20, 1953 to a 31 year old alcoholic mother, the middle child of three children. I had an older brother that was 10, when I was born. I feel extremely fortunate to be alive because between my brother's birth and my birth my mother had another pregnancy in which she decided to have an abortion. This was related to my by my grandfather's second wife, who is the only grandmother I ever knew. So there were three children my older brother, myself and my younger brother who was born in 1956.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Back from vacation
January is almost half over. I have returned from a two week vacation in Georgia with my daughter, son-in-law and 2 year old granddaughter. She is such a delight. Except for all the passes being closed when I arrived back in Seattle and driving the long way home via Portland traveling wasn't too bad. Getting back into the swing of things after being gone for two weeks is always a challenge. Anyway wanted to let everyone know that Phil's Grill is sponsoring a give away for a cool game 'Grilln'opoly' details can be obtained at http://www.grillingspecialties.blogspot.com. Hope everyone had a fun New Year's.
Army Mom
Army Mom
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Thursday Thirteen #16
Thirteen positive thoughts or actions
1. A new year is around the corner.
2. The after Christmas sales are almost here.
3. Call a friend who lifts your spirit
4. Make a list of 100 things that make you happy
5. Investigate What being good to yourself means
6. Watch a movie that makes you feel good or makes you laugh out loud
7. Be grateful for what you do have
8. Buy something for yourself and do not allow yourself to feel guilty
9. Read a book you found totally absorbing
10. Tell your spouse or significant other you love them
11. Smile and say hello to ten people
12. Send a friendship card to someone special
13. Make a meal that you totally enjoy.
To read more Thursday Thirteen
1. A new year is around the corner.
2. The after Christmas sales are almost here.
3. Call a friend who lifts your spirit
4. Make a list of 100 things that make you happy
5. Investigate What being good to yourself means
6. Watch a movie that makes you feel good or makes you laugh out loud
7. Be grateful for what you do have
8. Buy something for yourself and do not allow yourself to feel guilty
9. Read a book you found totally absorbing
10. Tell your spouse or significant other you love them
11. Smile and say hello to ten people
12. Send a friendship card to someone special
13. Make a meal that you totally enjoy.
To read more Thursday Thirteen
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Thursday Thirteen #14
Thirteen Ways to survive the Holidays
1. When I'm feeling financial strain- I have a cup of tea and be thankful that I have a job and know that the bills will eventually get paid. Others don't have jobs, some don't have homes.
2. When feeling lonely because David won't be home for Christmas I try to do something in honor of his service in the military and know he is doing what he can to make someone else's holiday a little better. This year I will read a poem at our office Christmas party about the night before Christmas when Santa visits a lonely soldier's quarters.
3. When feeling sad that David will be in a foreign land serving his country I sent him two boxes of homemade goodies.
4. When feeling nostalgic I wear a holiday pin that David gave me when he was about three years old. It was a plastic Merry Christmas pin with a nurse on it. He only had $1.00 to spend; he went to the clerk and whispered "I want to get my mom a present". She took him over to the case with different pieces of jewelry and holiday pins. When he spotted the nurse pin he told her "I would like that pin, please". I think the pin was a little more than a dollar but the clerk sold it to him for the dollar he had. Back in those days Kay's Family clothing was the small town clothing, sewing supply and country store. Today that store is no longer there but I have fond memories of shopping in Kay's Family Clothing.
5. When thinking of friends and family that I haven't seen for a long time; Phil and I write a Christmas letter with the year's news in hopes we might hear back from them and hope they are doing well.
6. When I stress that I haven't bought everything that I think my loved ones want; I have to remember that Christmas isn't about getting everything on the wish list, but humbly remembering all the wonderful blessings, the simple joys of everyday living and all the good things the past year has bestowed, being ever hopeful for the coming year to be nearly as blessed.
7. Do something fun. Like wear the jingle bell earrings that drive Phil crazy and buy myself fruitcake even though I am the only one who will eat any of it.
8. Try to be sensitive to others that may not be as fortunate as I have been this past year. There is a mother in our office with an inoperable brain tumor that now has ruptured discs in her back facing surgery and i've heard of many workers have been let go due to budget deficits. It is important to try to lift spirits and share the burdens of others even when all we can do is listen.
9. Sending out Christmas cards always seems like one more thing to get done, however I so enjoy getting cards that I find the time to send out cards, that hopefully will lift a friends' spirits.
10. I remember past Christmas' when my dad was alive. He was so generous. If someone asked him for five dollars he would open his wallet; give them ten and never expect to be paid back. I always miss him especially at Christmas even though he has been gone 24 years.
11. I try to watch a children's Christmas program or Christmas carolers. I find them uplifting.
12. I try to stay connected to family and make phone calls to let them know someone is thinking about them.
13. I usually have one glass of eggnog in honor of my grandfather. He celebrated Christmas with what he called a 'white Christmas' eggnog with a shot of bourbon.
Happy Holidays everyone!
For more Thursday Thirteen Thursday Thirteen
1. When I'm feeling financial strain- I have a cup of tea and be thankful that I have a job and know that the bills will eventually get paid. Others don't have jobs, some don't have homes.
2. When feeling lonely because David won't be home for Christmas I try to do something in honor of his service in the military and know he is doing what he can to make someone else's holiday a little better. This year I will read a poem at our office Christmas party about the night before Christmas when Santa visits a lonely soldier's quarters.
3. When feeling sad that David will be in a foreign land serving his country I sent him two boxes of homemade goodies.
4. When feeling nostalgic I wear a holiday pin that David gave me when he was about three years old. It was a plastic Merry Christmas pin with a nurse on it. He only had $1.00 to spend; he went to the clerk and whispered "I want to get my mom a present". She took him over to the case with different pieces of jewelry and holiday pins. When he spotted the nurse pin he told her "I would like that pin, please". I think the pin was a little more than a dollar but the clerk sold it to him for the dollar he had. Back in those days Kay's Family clothing was the small town clothing, sewing supply and country store. Today that store is no longer there but I have fond memories of shopping in Kay's Family Clothing.
5. When thinking of friends and family that I haven't seen for a long time; Phil and I write a Christmas letter with the year's news in hopes we might hear back from them and hope they are doing well.
6. When I stress that I haven't bought everything that I think my loved ones want; I have to remember that Christmas isn't about getting everything on the wish list, but humbly remembering all the wonderful blessings, the simple joys of everyday living and all the good things the past year has bestowed, being ever hopeful for the coming year to be nearly as blessed.
7. Do something fun. Like wear the jingle bell earrings that drive Phil crazy and buy myself fruitcake even though I am the only one who will eat any of it.
8. Try to be sensitive to others that may not be as fortunate as I have been this past year. There is a mother in our office with an inoperable brain tumor that now has ruptured discs in her back facing surgery and i've heard of many workers have been let go due to budget deficits. It is important to try to lift spirits and share the burdens of others even when all we can do is listen.
9. Sending out Christmas cards always seems like one more thing to get done, however I so enjoy getting cards that I find the time to send out cards, that hopefully will lift a friends' spirits.
10. I remember past Christmas' when my dad was alive. He was so generous. If someone asked him for five dollars he would open his wallet; give them ten and never expect to be paid back. I always miss him especially at Christmas even though he has been gone 24 years.
11. I try to watch a children's Christmas program or Christmas carolers. I find them uplifting.
12. I try to stay connected to family and make phone calls to let them know someone is thinking about them.
13. I usually have one glass of eggnog in honor of my grandfather. He celebrated Christmas with what he called a 'white Christmas' eggnog with a shot of bourbon.
Happy Holidays everyone!
For more Thursday Thirteen Thursday Thirteen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
