Memoirs-Are They Real or Fiction

Me-5 months and 10 days

     Celebrities, famous people such as presidents do autobiographies to record their accomplishments. But what about the average person who wants to just write their memoirs, about intimate personal experience. Sometimes I wonder what I've done over the last sixty years and think I should do my memoirs, just to outline my life in my mind. Usually, a memoir needs to be written as a novel, interesting. It's more than recording the past, it's recreating. So is my life interesting enough to recreate. Some people live their lives through their children, but I've always thought I had a more interesting life, or maybe I lived a little. So Thursdays will be memoir day.

Vernell-my Mom, age 16 wedding day

     My Mom was fifteen when she met my Dad. He had just been discharged from the Army right after World War II. After school she would walk up the road, about five miles, to the corner general store. One day my Dad was driving that stretch of road and saw her; every day after that he drove by, waving, until he got up the nerve to stop and ask her for a date. This happened in 1946; they were married 7 November 1947 and I was born in October, almost a year later.

Clifford-my Dad, 1941

September 7, 1969-What A Day!

Jennifer & Sterling 06/09/12

Sean & Shelby 06/12/12

Dena, Sean & Shelby 06/09/12

Sean, Jennifer & Shelby

Scott, Jennifer & Julie

Julie & husband Curtis

Curtis & Julie

And now Judah will make three, Judah, Julie and Curtis

Shelby & Julie

Scott & Sean

Jennifer 6 mos (love the hair)

Jennifer 3 mos



     Forty-three years ago today, my daughter Jennifer was born. It was three-fifteen in the afternoon, Sacremento, California. I was living with my Aunt Mavis and Uncle Carl at the time.

     Through the early years, it was just the two of us with help from my Mom and Dad, my brother Larry and sister-in-law Nancy, and of course my sisters Susan and Pam, though Nancy is like one of my sisters.

     Having been a single Mom, I couldn't ask for a more beautiful and wonderful daughter.  There were hard times, but there was also wonderful times.

     I remember the rainy days when we had picnics in the livingroom. One of my fondest memories was when she was around eight years old.  She wanted a Barbie house. Having Santa put that thing together took all night! But the priceless moment was the next morning when she came rushing into the bedroom, "There is a Santa Claus, you couldn't have hid that in any of the closets!" It seems she had been looking in the closets, just in case her friends were right about there not being a Santa Claus.

    I can brag about no drugs or getting drunk. I do have to admit to unsatifactory in conduct when she was in the fifth grade.  It seems she still has that habit of talking and not listening (to the teachers of course).

     She's set her own course, and individual with her own journey.  Along the way, she's has two wonderful children Shelby and Sean, plus two fantastic step children who have grown into amazing adults, Julie and Scott.

     This past June, Sterling became part of the family. Her favorite Uncle Larry gave her away.

Jennifer & Larry

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JENNIFER!

Love you more each year!

  

Dad, Daughter, Hug Equals Priceless Moment

Last time Dad saw Daughter, about a year ago!

CH on Florida Beach, sees Dad

for first time in over a year

Dad reaches daughter

The Hug! Priceless moment

     Have you ever noticed, it doesn't matter how old your children become, after they've been away from home for an extended time, there's the joy of finally seeing them again. That hug is always welcomed. Plus, each hug is always the best. As you can see from the pictures above, this was the case between my brother and niece.

     CH has been living in Oman, and fortunately, as you can tell from the top picture, Dad and Mom did manage a visit in 2011, but hasn't seen her since until she returned in August of this year. They were very happy to see each other. Unfortunately, I wasn't there for the Mom and CH reunion, but I know it went in a similar fashion.

     Do you have similar priceless moments?