HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY

Today if he were alive my Dad, Carl William Linaweaver would have been 96 years old.  Happy Birthday Daddy.

Daddy was born on August 19, 1917.  I can't imagine the changes that he saw throughout his life. Born and raised on a small farm he worked hard alone side his two brothers and Dad before leaving home and joining the army in 1943 and being shipped to France and Germany. His war years were times that he wouldn't talk about. He lost good, good friends over there.

He was a good man but a stern one.  He never had to take a hand to us because one look from him was enough to make you straighten up, but he also had very big and kind heart and a great love for his family and especially our Mom.

Some people said that the 10 year difference in their ages and their religion preference would not help their marriage to last, but both were very determined people and it took his death to separate their 38 year of being together. They made life special for each other and weren't afraid to show it. They went places together, they danced and even went as far as to decide what jobs Mom would do so that the family stayed in tact and they both worked hard at it.  Between them both, we were raised with a stern hand but also with lots of love.

Being the oldest daughter I like to think that Daddy and I had a very special connection.  We went every where together when I got older including traveling through Kansas and Nebraska.  While young and still at home I followed him around like a lost puppy. Where he was I usually was not far behind.   He taught me a lot about how to treat people and especially how to treat myself.  Oh, don't get me wrong he could be just as loud, augmentative and opinionated as the next person. He liked to be right and sometimes wanted you to believe that he knew everything but after a little mixing of words he sometimes would admit that he didn't, especially if my Mom gave him the look.

He was someone that my brothers and sister looked up to.  He was someone you went to when you were unsure of things,  the person who held you in his lap when you were scared or sick, sit up with you all night plus the one who helped you correct your mistakes no matter how painful they were.  He was just plain someone you loved and someone you could look up to and trust.

He worked at Fort Leavenworth for over 30 years driving trucks and supervising the the moving of officers to new locations. He transported missals to different locations and drove vehicles during different presidential funerals.  He always said he liked driving.  He drove combat trucks during the war, He drove semi-trucks and others while he worked at the Fort, He drove dump trucks hauling rock and dirt after he retired.  He was proud of the place he worked and the jobs he did, he was proud of his family and he was very proud to be an American.

He was my hero!  He was my Dad.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOM!

Well as usual I am a little late, but then Mom would have just laughed and said "better late than never".  Yesterday was Mother's Day and mine was missing.  Oh I guess I should say missing in the physical way.  Mom is always with me and I catch myself asking her more and more questions in my mind.

This was another holiday that we had to get through, but Mom wouldn't have wanted us to morn or cry because she wasn't here with us.  She would tell us to take care of what we have and always be good to everyone we meet and not to worry about her for she was dancing in the heavens with Daddy.

So I guess that is why I'm having trouble sleeping tonight.  I miss the days that I could go and sit with her and tell her what all of the grand-kids were doing in their busy lives.  What Tom and Phil were doing with their jobs and music and talk and laugh with her about making my Guinny another sleeping blanket for the living room.

Times have changed.  I think about going to Leavenworth to see her, I plan trips to go down to get something from her or to take her something. I catch myself reaching for the telephone to call and ask her about something.  I haven't cooked in the crock pot since she has left us because I no longer have to plan her meals. Life has changed and on these special days I really notice it.

As for me, I had a really good Mother's Day. First of all Ashley sent  me a text this morning wishing me a "Happy Mother's Day".   Jason called from Virginia and wished me a happy one.  He and Nikki also sent me a very special gift of a pocket watch with a picture of Robert E Lee on it.  He does know my love for the south.  Georgette brought me flowers from the Maur-Hill Mount Academy flower sale and they are now planted in the window box outside of the dinning room.  Marie brought Ryan over with a plant that hangs out on the porch that is really pretty. I got hugs and kisses from both of my little guys and was even told that I'm the best Grandma ever.  What more could you ask for.

But Mom was missing and I know that if she could, she would give me that look of her's and tell me that I need to get over it and move on.  That we are all on this earth for a period of time and that when she left to be with Daddy it was her time.  So now at 3:00 am when I should be in bed, I'm on the computer, but then that is something that I got from her because she use to roam around the house all hours of the night and she use to do her best sewing at two and three a.m.

So Mom, thanks for always being there for me and with me.  I Love you.  Happy Mother's Day.

EVALYN'S LOVE FOR SEWING!

Well we all seem to have made it through Christmas and even New Years without Mom.  I am sure that certain family members had a really big struggle with the New Years events.  Mom always saved New Years Eve for her and Daddy to go to dances with family and friends.  It was the one and only day of the year that she would request off from her job at St. John's Hospital in Leavenworth, Kansas.  It was a very special time for them.

She worked at St. John's for over thirty years retiring in 1983 three days after we buried Daddy. This was some type of mandatory retirement, you know getting rid of the old and bringing in the new.  But she went with the flow and as always managed to stay just as busy or maybe even more busy than normal.

Mom loved to sew and that is what she did.  She purchased labels which said "created by Evalyn", "made by Mom" or "Grandma's Specialty" and would stitch them into the collars and waistbands of the different clothes that she made. It was always special to get something made by Grandma.

She stayed busy repairing clothes for a different parade of people.  Once people found out that she was in business they started lining up at the door.  I don't know how many wedding outfits she made for different friends and family.  She made suits, jackets, dresses, pants, hats and even baby clothes, blankets and bibs..  She was in her realm when she was sewing and you never saw her at home without a needle, scissors or thread near by. She even carried supplies with her because she was always ready to fix or repair.  She was like the guardian angel of sewing.