For some time I have become cognizant of the lessons from my childhood. Those who loved me unconditionally warm my heart with their lingering memories. This is the focus of this Blog. As an introduction here is the storyboard:
Mom and Pop - there is so much to share.
My Dad - you’ll get to know him well.
The Grandparents who were improvised but wealthy beyond others with unconditional love, provision and life lessons.
The Great Aunts and Great Uncles who kept their covenant even though I was the third generation. There wasn’t a time that Aunt Ruby and Uncle Woody were there when I was injured as a child, when I cried and to celebrate my birthday. Aunt Ruby taught me how to sew specialty garments such as camisoles and panties and eventually bras. Uncle Woody was a concert pianist and contributed just a pinch to my love of playing musical instruments.
The Grandparents that really stepped up when I needed them for my own daughter bonding with her to a level I would have never imagined.
The Uncle, who is younger than I am, who treated my daughter as his own making sure she had experiences that my MS and all the fallout from the wreck that another caused did not allow me to.
Great Aunt Sarah and Great Uncle Gene who embraced us into their huge family for Christmases and even trips to the beach. Although their children were my second cousins some were closer to my age and we bonded well.
Grandad - oh my Grandad. He earned three bronze starts in WWII and wouldn’t talk about it except for one 30” time when he asked to meet with me privately. He bonded with my daughter as did his longtime second wife who became ‘Nanny’ to my precious one. When the wreck happened they took care of Chrissy, along with my Dad, Pop and Mom making sure she had stellar childhood experiences. I remember when I was a teenager and my Mom really had no means to support my brother and I. My Grandmother provided a room to sleep in and food and cloths. This particular winter I had no winter coat. Nanny called me and told me that they were taking me to Sears to get a coat - and we did.
Maw Maw and Paw Paw - such very precious memories. They were improvised with worldly possessions but the unconditional love knew no bounds. While growing up my brother and I would sometimes have to live with them sleeping on the floor in their tiny, tiny trailer. Maw Maw was a tailor and helped teach me to sew and all about fabrics. Paw Paw was a barber as was his Father my Great-Grandfather both of whom kept all us Grandkids looking good. Grandma Clara couldn’t read, but she taught me how to cook to a certain extent.
Uncle John who insured that my brother and I took part with his two daughters. Races, beach trips, ice cream cones, the fair, etc…… He is very precious to me. His daughters and I have remained close, but could always be a whole lot closer.
Aunt ‘Little’ Nancy who also provided for my brother and i taking us to drive-in movies, getting a hamburger and continued her support as i would enter Motherhood with a child born 16 weeks early.
Uncle Lanny and Aunt ‘big’ Nancy were taken from us by a drunk driver when i was in my early 20’s. They had stepped up too. My brother and I spent weeks every summer at their home in Winston Salem being treated like one of their own four kids. We worked in the garden, we went to Vacation Bible School, we ate good food, we attended Friendship Baptist Church, we ran around the neighborhood even having the freedom to go to the corner convenience store. Their children and I have remained in close contact holding each other up through life.
So follow along as I draw from childhood to forge peace, health and success as a mature adult.
