Funny thing in life, if you are the last child in a family, you never grow up in your parent’s eyes. When introduced you will always be, “This is our baby, Jackie.” I contended I would never do that, but still I caught myself saying that (not as many times as mama, though).Babies…. If you are an adult around a new born babe, you will remember the thrill of holding that new creature. There is nothing like that little hand grasping your finger.


(this is Elsie Mae's little hand, the the latest Great Grand Daughter )

Remember the nights they cried, and you cried because you did not know what to do? But when they finally drifted off to sleep and you held them close, how sweet that breathing was. One funny thing I did was record our Grand Reece’s breathing as I held her at 2AM. I still have that cassette tape somewhere.

(Shirl, holding Josh (or Steve) one of the twins)

Jack jr. was a rough case, he had an infection and it was rough to rest. You remember the first steps and the first words. (Well, I don’t exactly remember, but I bet Sherry does) You only have them for 17-19 years then they are off (Okay, that is the way it used to be!). It is hard to let them grow up. You hold your breath many times hoping they make the right decisions.

(A great shot of Susie (Sherry's mom) Jack our oldest holding his new brother Mark. Sherry felt fortunate to have her mom there at both births, one in Biloxi, Mississippi the other in Kirksville, Missouri. We still miss Susie, she left us when she was only 61 yrs of age.)

So you have them about a fourth of fifth of their lives, the learning years. It would have been nice if when they climbed out of the womb into this world, if they had had instructions attached!!

(Grandson Ben holding his daughter Elsie Mae)
Memories pop up from time to time. I dreamed of my brother Jr. last night. It was one of those good dreams, not long enough, but still good. But today I have been thinking, after visiting Ruth, I don’t have that many years left to knock around. There are folks in that nursing home younger than I. My memory went back to when I left home. Couldn’t wait! Joined the USMC, gonna be a man. Within a week I lay in my rack tears came to my eyes and I wished I would wake up in my bed at home, smelling mama’s biscuits, and Parris Island would be a bad dream. I learned when you make a decision at 17, as a ‘man’, you live with your choice. That was called growing up.
Life is good! There are only a few minor things I would change if I could go back.
Thanks for coming by the log.
NIte Shipslog
Ps:

Bumper stickers saw on base:
" U.S. Marines - Certified Counselors to the 72 Virgins Dating Club."

"U.S. Air Force - Travel Agents To Allah"

"Stop Global Whining"

"When In Doubt, Empty The Magazine"