In-Laws, treasures

(And the last of the unique trees)

(A Time to be thankful, I am Thankful for In-Laws that added to my life!)

A lot of jokes are told about in-laws, some may be true, but I am here to say, I have enjoyed treasures. The first in-law I remember, and I was less than five years old, was my bro. Odis’ wife RUTH. Ruth was the most akin to a pioneer woman I ever knew. I was privileged to live with them at times in the summer. She was my first surrogate mother. My brother Odis joked when their first son Howard, was born, “He will be flying airplanes before you can drive a car.”

Ruth said, “Don’t listen to him honey.” Now as a 5yr old I do remember that. Her home I loved to visit and stay. I loved her dearly, she requested I ‘do her eulogy’ and I did. If you know Ruth of the Bible, you knew my Ruth. She had a daughter in-law who was also out of this world sweet.

Then came Mozelle. Mo was a sweet woman in a different way than Ruth. Much different. She was a ‘beauty’ a looker. She was always sweet to me and a good wife to my brother, Jr. The last thing I remember hearing her say, (a victim of that thief Alzheimer) when she could not remember her age and Shirl said, Moz, you are 83. Very quickly she said, “But I don’t look it, do I?”  I loved Moz.

Then came Dick, he married Kat. I was closer to him than my brothers. Kat was my second surrogate mother. Dick was there many times when I needed him.

Sherry brought into my life, a mother and father in law. Wiley and I were aligned politically, his other sons-in –law were Democrats.. But Susie, the best mother in law a guy could ask for. the ideal lady. Honest, true, sweet and never had a bad word to say of anyone. While raising seven children she was able to build and pay for three houses on their cotton mill salaries. A feat I doubt that has been matched. The only part time jobs either had was as barbers,both Wiley and Susie could cut hair.

I had four Brothers-in-Law that came with Sherry and I had good relations with them. Then came the Sisters-in-law, Sherry brought two sisters with her (I always joked I married them also. They were sweethearts). their husbands and I were very compatible, even if they were Democrats..

Shirl brought Jim into the family. Even though Jim had been an officer in the Army and he was also an engineer; he accepted me as a peer. No one could ask for a more amiable man. He too was more a brother than a brother-in-law. I always enjoyed visiting and talking with Jim. He was a collector or many things, but of course the biggest collection was Studebakers. So with he and I, it was a love of cars.

In-laws? I have had the best.  Sometimes I think I have been more blessed than anyone in the world. (Did being the baby in the family make the difference?)

Nite Shipslog

PS:

(I read once)

A good time to keep your mouth shut is ...

when you're in deep water.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<V>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I didn’t know this one existed, but I like it.

( from Paul)