Friday, March 12, 2010

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"



11 comments:

shirl72 said...

Oh the good old days. Don't know which Twin I
was holding they look so much alike. Jack, Jr.
was a beautiful baby and he is handsome now.
All the babies are grown and we are older. We are blessed with lots of family talent Life
is good.

Lucy said...

They are wonderful, frustrating, and we moms forget that they have a mind of their own almost from day one. You love them, you worry about them, and a few minutes late coming home after school you think "I am not worried" but if it goes past a certain time you start looking for them. Then they are teens and the worry really sets in. Then the oldest joins the navy and 4 years seems like an eternity. He comes home safe, and then you lose him permanently, except in your heart. I was the baby and you are right, no one ever lets you forget. I could go on and on but will spare you.

Paula said...

Darling little boys and a heartfelt entry.

betty said...

you'll be around a long time, Jack. You and Sherry are still spring chickens, but I know what you mean, we are on the other side of life (I'm 52). It is scary though because hubby is on that Classmates thing for keeping up with friends from high school, he graduated 1971, and they recently have been giving lists of classmates that have passed on already.

babies are a joy, even the rough days. The sad thing is we rush them sometimes through those rough stages and then we bemoan the fact that they aren't young any more.

good sentimental journey today in your blog :)

betty

Display Name said...

Great story Jack! :)

~mel said...

Great post! I loved each and every entry of your most treasured posessions ~ family and the wonderful memories that come with them. ~smile~

Anonymous said...

Dear Jack, this was for sure of much interest to read, a very fine discription of the time here with Stefan, who currently sleep nearly whole nights for a week now :) :) :) and he even behaves while walking into a supermarket.
Oh! yes life is good. Especially after hearing him say "Daddy, help." building him a tower with his bricks.
A wonderful start into the weekend for you all.
p.s.: and yes, have a nearly same picture of the hands.

Rose said...

Love your photos of the babies and especially the one with Shirl holding one of the twins!

You have wonderful fond memories! I wish I could turn back the clock and see myself pushing the baby carriage again with such pride and people on the street admiring the beautiful blue eyes of my babies!

That is true that the baby of the family gets all the attention. I was number 9 out of 10 children! I didn't get much attention at all! LOL

Enjoy your weekend! The sun is finally shining out there.

Hugs,Rose

Fred Alton said...

Thank you Jack, for the reminder not to refer to Lowell as my "baby" brother. LoL He is 67 this year and I forget that. Besides which - he is not the baby, just the baby brother. Now - I'm the first-born of 5 and Mom still refers to me as her baby at times. Don't know what to make of that. Ah - the memories you always provoke here on your blog. Good stuff friend.

Anonymous said...

THE SWEETEST AND MOST WELCOME BABY CRY I EVER HEARD WAS WHEN OUR BABY DAUGHTER ABOUT TWO YEARS OLD WAS CHOKED ON 'CHICKEN'.
MARY JANE AND I HAD ALREADY GONE TO BED AND CHILDREN WATCHING TV.
ED THE ELDEST BOY CAME RUNNING UPSTAIRS CARRYING THE BABY, A 'GRISTLE' BLOCKING HER BREATHING, COLOR DRAINED.
I HELD HER UP BY HER HEELS WHILE MARY JANE DIGGING FOR THE OBSTRUCTION. I WAS PATTING THE BABY ON THE BACK WHILE PRAYING PLEASE GOD DONT LET HER DIE. FINALLY MARY JANE SAID, IVE GOT IT AND OUT CAME THE GRISTLE AND BLOODY FINGER THAT HAD DUG INTO THE THROAT IN DESPERATION, THEN THAT WONDERFUL CRY WHILE BREATHING BEGAN.
I STILL CALL HER 'MY BABY' THAT JESUS SAVED FOR US AND SHE IS STILL WITH ME FIFTY YEARS LATER. THANK YOU LORD JESUS. sam

Dar said...

Jack, this was such a heartfelt entry. Babies are our breathe of fresh air. It seems they always bury some bittersweet moment at just the right time. Most recently a dear family friend passed on to have her great great granddaughter born just hours before. God sure is good.
Your Children and childrens children are gorgeous.
I'm a twin but Doug and I are easy to distinguish. We both have a receding hairline now but I always used to be the one with hair.LOL
Sam, you too were so blessed.
Wonderful entry again and thanks for sharing
loveyouguys and gals and God's Blessings