Inspiration Comes to Life in a 59-yr old Letter

...of my mind and heart!   I've saved and jpg'd many keepsakes.  I ran across this August 2, 1955 letter that my mother wrote to my daddy....

Besides wondering what/why daddy was spending a week??? in Wichita, KS ????

I looked up the 1955 stamp Mama used... I wonder where in OK... she got it???

The Scott 1069 3 Cent Stamp GreatLakes Transportation-Issued 1955

Soo Locks - A Century of Great Lakes Transportation
Mint Value $0.45   used Value $0.20  (2014)

3 cent

Soo Locks - A Century of Great Lakes Transportation

Mint Value $0.45

Used Value $0.20

Dear Howard,

We are all well here. 

After I wrote you yesterday, the light man came out, so I had to pay him $3.50 and promised to pay the other Monday.  That was the $3.00 I had ready to send to Ricker.  If you can send Ricker something.

I carried the boys to the park yesterday evening and they had a big time swimming.  They learned to mid-crawl and they called that swimming.

Charlene can float.  I did not know we had to pay to get in the pool.  $0.10 each under 12 yrs old.  Orville was too scared to get in.  Beverly walked around in the pool.  They all had fun and now are ready to go again.                                                                                       

See you Saturday.                                                                                          Love sincerely,                                                                                               Helen

The itch is much better (smile)

Easter Celebrated with ~ The Aged, middle aged, the young, and the future

This year's Easter Sunday was one that I almost complained about.  It is in the aftermath of losing Papa Kirk less than a month ago.

But blessed indeed

Grandmother (great) is the Old

I am the Middle Aged

She is the young-energetic mother of three!

These are the great-grands......

And there are actually Two FUTURE great grandchildren expected in September and October 2014!

Luv My Mama..... A Brand New smile!

You know, she's lived 80 + + (plus) years... and getting a top set of dentures is a milestone!

The other kidney....SHOCK WAVES ? ? ? yep!

My wonderful mama....

April... and August 2008.

Aging beautifully......

Good facts running thru my mind! PLUS

FOR thirty years - I guess- that long ago.... my daddy hung a great big poster inside the Woodridge garage. About 40" x 60".... attesting to "...this is the Church of God in Christ!" I can hear the old song....."you cannot join in.... you have to be born in.... this is the Church of God in Christ!"

Quite a treasure.... I hopin it is still legible and not worn as the paper pictures are posted onto it. Where he got it from... I don't know. But I can see why I'm having this thirst to connect to those who have gone on before.

Anxious to get home and photograph the poster tonite. Really thinking of a way to scan and further preserve quite a few old papers daddy has on COGIC.

http://americanhistory.pppst.com/cottongin.html

Treasures from my Fore - Fathers !

Grandad's signature is priceless......

The small red book is compiled and arranged by CARR, EDWIN HAMLIN: Titled: Putnam's Phrase Book: an aid to social letter writing & ready & effective conversation, with over 100 model social letters etc..

NY, Putnam, 1920.

Description: Gold Tan binding, gilt decoration & lettering, small size. Offered for US$ 8.00 by: Crabtree's Collection Old Books

May be selfish... but I wish I had a photo of mama

and Big Mama together. This is 1949 - midst of victory (and setbacks) for the Ada Sipuel vs State of Oklahoma for admission to the Univ of OK Law School. (always well-dressed! Right!) wishin I had that winter hat and fur!)

In a way of just not knowing enough about my Big Mama --- Tana and I had reflected back on mama's wedding picture --- that NONE of her family were there in Chicago June 19, 1948. Again, Big Mama was involved in lawsuit (my thoughts) This seemed a little uncaring for a mother's baby daughter...... I continued to ponder..wishin....

Then Lo & Behold! Again, I was searching thru the TBS suitcase w/Bruce. I found two very significant things -- that I should never have imagined that a mother's heart wouldn't be truly tied to her children!

One was a letter dated..... to Dr. A. Mallory in Lexingtons MS.....

The other was a dainty 4x5" printed wedding invitation via Mrs. T.B. Sipuel to the wedding of her daughter Helen Marie to Howard in Chicago IL. Although the suitcase belong to TB -- it was evident that Big Mama kept as a keepsake for things close to her life.

Also, the large cardboard photo of mama (Helen) was another momento that Big Mama held close to her heart.

Talked with mama at nursing home last week about Lemuel. Money was not abundant, nor ability to travel. Plus topping all of this off was the fact that Dad Sipuel died in Sept 1946... Leaving Big Mama as a widow.

I wonder what monies (no pension??? railroad??) might she have had. Did church support for Big mama end? Mama said that Lemuel finished Howard Law School in Wash DC, met Clara Kirksey and also married her then moved back to Chickasha, OK. sooooooo , this mean't that maybe there was NOT a family member at Lemuels' wedding either???

I contacted by phone - Clara Sipuel (deceased husband - Elijah) Webster in Lima, OH (age 88) a few days ago. Good visit, will drop her a card.