Today’s post is dedicated to Mom and her story – just a tiny recap, and I hope I have all the facts straight. I wasn’t there for a lot of it!
Mom was born July 20, 1930 – the third child born to Erma and Jess Crooks. It would be seven years before another daughter joined the family, and it took Mom a long time to adjust to the fact that she wasn’t the baby any more!
A few things I know about Mom’s school career: She wanted to go to school so badly, and loved learning so much (as well as being social with the kids!) that the teacher let her start school when she was five. She was able to keep up and did very well, and was a great student.
When she was in high school, their local school closed and they had to be bussed to another high school further away. Mom did NOT like this, and (against her parents’ advise) dropped out of school. She was not permitted to just laze around; she worked hard at home and around the farm, taking on extra chores.
The summer my mom was in her mid-teens, she spent the summer in Erie with her aunt and cousins. During that time, she was maid of honor for her cousin Mary’s wedding to John Graves. Mom was a little starry-eyed over John, and had a crush on him for many years. But, alas. John was married to Mary.
Right about now we have to back up – to what year, I’m not sure. But my Dad’s uncle married my Mom’s aunt (cousin?) – and their association began. Initially, though, my dad was enamored by Mom’s older sister, who had eyes only for the man she eventually married. Dad’s attention, and devotion, transferred to Mom, and that was the beginning of OUR story!
Two months after Mom turned 18, she married my dad (20) and moved from Home, PA to Greensburg /Youngwood. She was homesick and had a rough time adjusting to life in the city, but soon two little girls and building a new house cemented her roots, and there she was. Dad was fun, and funny, and maybe a little hard to keep on track, but we had a good family.
When dad passed away, it wasn’t long before her and sister Joan began discussing John, and the fact that Mary had left him alone with their five kids. Mom decided it was time for a visit to Erie, and one year in the early 1980’s Mom, Kelly, Nate and I went on vacation to Presque Isle, and she was able to connect up with John. Over the next few years, their friendship blossomed until the two ‘kindred spirits’ found love. Mom packed up lock, stock, and antiques and moved to Albion, PA.
Mom and John married in June of 1986, and enjoyed over thirty happy years together. Mom’s life took many unexpected turns, but she was perhaps one of the most saintly, happy, giving, sharing, Godly persons I ever knew. She was a great example to us, a wonderful mother, and touched the lives of everyone she met. I’m blessed to call her Mom, and to share these memories of her life and love! Happy birthday, Mom – I know the angels are singing with you today!
July 20 – Share a birthday party memory. “When I had my 60th birthday and you called Mary Jane to surprise me with a party. It sure was a nice surprise and that was a memory I will have for the rest of my life. Thank you for doing that.” Glad to have given you a happy memory, Mom!
Calendar Inspiration –
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TOMORROW July 21st is:
I actually feel like I’m someone EVERY day! And just for the record, I had a hot dog for lunch. No birthday cake, though…. Happy heavenly birthday, Mom. God bless….
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