Sad Start

Yesterday morning you left us and went to be with the Lord.  You were such a sweet man and I will miss you very much.
My step-dad for a few short years and yet you made a great impression on me as to who I would like my spouse to be like.  During those years you showed me that there is a real love, given by your spouse and I saw that in you.  You never stopped loving my Mom, even when she would push your last buttons.  I've often told her that when she was through with you, that I wanted you.  Now, you are no longer here for us to enjoy and I wonder just what your children would do if they knew.  It's a horrible thing to be pushed away by your children, because you found love after your first wife had died.  I know they have no idea of the sweet person you were to kids who weren't your own blood.  I'm not sure if they even care, yet I wish I could tell them how awful they were to you.
I will miss you telling me to "behave myself" when visiting you at the nursing home.  It was a time you and I interacted on a fun basis.  I want you to know that you are missed and we will have a great loss for years to come.
Rest in peace Henry, and see what all God has waiting for you, up there.
Love ya,
Kaye

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Old House

This is a picture from the past which I have no information about.  I found it in a collection that my mother had saved from my Grandmother and Great Grandmother's things.  I see some children on the porch on the right side of the house.  No doubt some of them were related to me, but who knows just how?  Isn't it cool to look at old pictures of yester years and see how things were back then?

Burrow School 1921

On Hwy. 66, which was Hwy. 67 in those days, between Royse City, TX and Caddo Mills, TX there once was a small settlement called Burrow, TX.  There were a few houses along this highway all located in a general area causing this.  I remember a small store that sold different items along with car gas.  I'm not sure where the school was located since this era was before my time.  This picture was taken in 1921 of the whole school.  The name on the back of the picture being the one who owned it was Myrtle Gibbs, a great aunt of mine.  Although the picture here is blurred it remains in good condition in a cardboard frame, made back then as well.

Dear Grandma

Dear Grandma,(my great grandmother)

I know you couldn't be here today, because you'd bee too old and not be able to see or hear. Modern technology, couldn't have helped you. You were so set in your ways, and old fashion. Anyone, born in 1861, had a right to be set in their ways. You lived to be 99yrs. old and it was 3 months and 19 days, before your 100th birthday, that you finally, went to rest.
It was so wonderful, being able to be in your life and listen to all your stories. I could only imagine, the scenes your portrayed as I listened, with wild glee.
I remember hearing you sing in your old folk manner, and your speech was the same.
You were such a tiny woman, but you had so much stamina and wit. How you made it through all those years with the rough struggles, you had to face is something to be proud of. What at heritage, you left all of us, to follow.
Today, I miss you and still draw on the strength you somehow passed on in actions and words. I know your up there, waiting right along with everyone else. See you one day soon.
Love
Kaye

Mary Ann Gibbs...

This is the Grandma, that I knew, the one with no teeth, with a smile that could light up the whole room. I was her “pet”, and that was just fine with me. This was the picture they put in the local newspaper on her 95th birthday(1956). She received a letter from the State Senator at the time, wishing her Happy Birthday. I wish I could remember who he was…..lol.

The Lady......

I just wanted to get the day over with and go down to Smokey's.

Sneaking a look at my watch, I saw the time, 1655.

Five minutes to go before the cemetery gates are closed for the day.

Full dress was hot in the August sun. Oklahoma summertime was as bad as ever-

-the heat and humidity at the same level-

-both too high.

I saw the car pull into the drive, '69 or '70 model Cadillac Deville,

looked factory-new.

It pulled into the parking lot at a snail's pace.

An old woman got out so slow I thought she was paralyzed;

she had a cane and a sheaf of flowers-

-about four or five bunches as best I could tell.

I couldn't help myself.

The thought came unwanted, and left a slightly bitter taste:

'She's going to spend an hour, and for this old soldier,

my hip hurts like hell and I'm ready to get out of here right now!'

But for this day, my duty was to assist anyone coming in.

Kevin would lock the 'In' gate and if I could hurry the old biddy along,

we might make it to Smokey's in time.

I broke post attention.

My hip made gritty noises when I took the first step and the pain

went up a notch.

I must have made a real military sight:

middle-aged man with a small pot gut and half a limp,

in Marine full-dress uniform, which had lost its razor crease

about thirty minutes after I began the watch at the cemetery.

I stopped in front of her, halfway up the walk.

She looked up at me with an old woman's squint.

'Ma'am, may I assist you in any way?'

She took long enough to answer.

'Yes, son. Can you carry these flowers?

I seem to be moving a tad slow these days.'

'My pleasure, ma'am.'

Well, it wasn't too much of a lie.

She looked again.

'Marine, where were you stationed?'

'Vietnam, ma'am. Ground-pounder. '69 to '71.'

She looked at me closer.

'Wounded in action, I see.

Well done, Marine.

I'll be as quick as I can.'

I lied a little bigger:

'No hurry, ma'am.'

She smiled and winked at me.

'Son, I'm 85-years-old and I can tell a lie from a long way off.

Let's get this done.

Might be the last time I can do this.

My name's Joanne Wieserman,

and I've a few Marines

I'd like to see one more time.'

'Yes, ma 'am. At your service.'

She headed for the World War I section,

stopping at a stone.

She picked one of the flowers out of my arm and

laid it on top of the stone.

She murmured something I couldn't quite make out.

The name on the marble was

Donald S. Davidson, USMC: France 1918.

She turned away and made a straight line for the

World War II section, stopping at one stone.

I saw a tear slowly tracking its way down her cheek.

She put a bunch on that stone; the name was Stephen X.Davidson, USMC, 1943.

She went up the row a ways and

laid another bunch on a stone, the name was

Stanley J. Wieserman, USMC, 1944.

She paused for a second.

'Two more, son, and we'll be done'

I almost didn't say anything, but,

'Yes, ma'am. Take your time.'

She looked confused.

'Where's the Vietnam section, son?

I seem to have lost my way.'

I pointed with my chin.

'That way, ma'am.'

'Oh!' she chuckled quietly.

'Son, me and old age ain't too friendly.'

She headed down the walk I'd pointed at.

She stopped at a couple of stones before she

found the ones she wanted.

She placed a bunch on

Larry Wieserman, USMC, 1968,

and the last on

Darrel Wieserman, USMC, 1970.

She stood there and murmured a few words

I still couldn't make out.

'OK, son, I'm finished.

Get me back to my car

and you can go home.'

'Yes, ma'am.

If I may ask, were those your kinfolk?'

She paused.

'Yes,

Donald Davidson was my father,

Stephen was my uncle,

Stanley was my husband,

Larry and Darrel were our sons.

All killed in action, all marines.'

She stopped.

Whether she had finished, or couldn't finish, I don't know.

She made her way to her car, slowly and painfully.

I waited for a polite distance to come between us

and then double-timed it over to Kevin,

waiting by the car.

'Get to the 'Out' gate quick.

I have something I've got to do.'

Kevin started to say something,

but saw the look I gave him.

He broke the rules to get us there

down the service road.

We beat her.

She hadn't made it around the rotunda yet.

'Kevin, stand at attention next to the gatepost. Follow my lead.'

I humped it across the drive to the other post.

When the Cadillac came puttering around from the hedges

and began the short straight traverse to the gate,

I called in my best gunny's voice:

'TehenHut! Present Haaaarms!'

I have to hand it to Kevin;

he never blinked an eye-

full dress attention and

a salute that would make

his DI proud.
She drove through that gate with two old

worn-out Marines giving her a send-off she

deserved, for service rendered to her country,

and for knowing duty, honor and sacrifice.

I am not sure,

but I think I saw a salute returned from that Cadillac.

Mamaw & Uncle Roe

These two people raised me and helped me take care of my children, when I would be working and a single Mom.
Even though he wasn’t my Father, he helped my Grandmother raise me. My kids were his pets.

Great Grandma

This is the Grandma, that I knew, the one with no teeth, with a smile that could light up the whole room. I was her “pet”, and that was just fine with me. This was the picture they put in the local newspaper on her 95th birthday(1956). She received a letter from the State Senator at the time, wishing her Happy Birthday. I wish I could remember who he was…..lol.

Dear Grandma

Dear Grandma,(my great grandmother)

I know you couldn't be here today, because you'd bee too old and not be able to see or hear. Modern technology, couldn't have helped you. You were so set in your ways, and old fashion. Anyone, born in 1861, had a right to be set in their ways. You lived to be 99yrs. old and it was 3 months and 19 days, before your 100th birthday, that you finally, went to rest.
It was so wonderful, being able to be in your life and listen to all your stories. I could only imagine, the scenes your portrayed as I listened, with wild glee.
I remember hearing you sing in your old folk manner, and your speech was the same.
You were such a tiny woman, but you had so much stamina and wit. How you made it through all those years with the rough struggles, you had to face is something to be proud of. What at heritage, you left all of us, to follow.
Today, I miss you and still draw on the strength you somehow passed on in actions and words. I know your up there, waiting right along with everyone else. See you one day soon.
Love
Kaye

Dear Mamaw

Dear Mamaw,
I've missed you, for such a long time now. It seems only yesterday, we let you go to heaven. It's hard to remember all the times we shared. All the life you gave to me, from childhood to adulthood. I wonder what's going on up there, and what you see, when you look down here? I wonder, how it will be one day, when I finally come to you? As always, I'm still your scared little girl and look to you for guidance, even though your not here. It's like your right beside me, and I can touch you, no matter where I am. I still love you and wish you were here.
Kaye

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