Honoring Nana on Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day and a day to honor all our veterans and their families.  Today always reminds me of the sacrifice of Nana and Daddy.  She had to move out of her comfort zone to leave home at the age of nineteen, never having been out of Elimsport, and take a train to be close to her soldier husband.  Here is how Nana describes it in one of her short stories:

April 1943 – 19 years old

I left Williamsport on the Pennsylvania Railroad bound for Austin, Texas with $30 in my pocket.  World War II was in full swing.  I changed trains in St. Louis and boarded the Katy lines.  In the seat across from me were two nice Southern girls.  They said, “Are y’all going plum to Tulsa?”  Not knowing Southern talk, I asked, “Does that mean all the way?”  They answered, “Yes.” 

The train was slow-moving and, while gazing out the window, I saw blue bonnets.  After three days and nights, I arrived in Austin.  I got a room at a boarding house on 1205 Nueces Street.  The landlady, whose name was Mabel Huckabee, was very nice.  She later got me a job at Steck Publishing Company.  I liked Austin, Texas a lot.

 Following is a poem she wrote about that job:

While living in Austin on Nueces Street

I needed some cash to make ends meet

While looking for a job one day

Mabel made a call and found a way

She called Steck’s, they said try Shipping Department

Help needed and that is where I went

I got a job wrapping letterheads all day

I liked my job a lot and that’s where I wanted to stay

Each day I walked to work down the streets

All went well with my job of many weekshe later got me a job at Steck Publishing Company.  I liked Austin, Texas a lot!

Although it was war time, Nana's experience in Austin is one of her best memories.  Daddy's service in the Army, although not his choosing, was probably the noblest thing he did in his life.

Nana and Daddy 1943



Nana Says Goodby to Her Brother John

Yesterday was the viewing and funeral for Uncle John.  I knew it would be a stressful day forNana but I am so proud of her for doing so well.  I was disappointed that I couldn't be with her but so grateful that Nana has four children.  Everyone helped.  Waybe picked her up and took her to the viewing and Sharon and Bill and Marcia helped to make sure she was taken care of every part of the day.
 

I'm especially grateful to my niece Lori who came from Delaware with her 2 year old son Ollie to visit Nana and go to the service.  Nana adores Ollie and Lori sent me this cute picture of Nana and Ollie eating cake at the meal after the service, although I think it was the frosting they both like the most. 

Nana was home by 2:30pm, tired but ready to give me all the details.  She told me that when they asked for comments from anyone during the service she knew she wanted to say something.  Sharon helped her get Pastor Mike's attention and she volunteered, "John and I used to walk everyday to Pikes Peak School."  It took a lot of courage for her to speak up and I'm so glad she did.

When she told me that she walked by the casket one last time, she got very choked up.  I know this is a sad time for her and she'll miss her big brother.  She went to the cemetary then returned to the church for the meal. I loved that she told me about Ollie eating his cake with his fingers.  When Lori pointed out that Nana was using her fork, he picked up his fork to try that too.  Nana told me he did better with his fingers and she got such a laugh about that.

Now Uncle Ben is her last living sibling.  I'm sure Nana will keep continue to stay in touch. 

Funerals are a good reminder to all of us to treasure everyday with the ones we love.

Nana, The Kid Sister

On Sunday, May 6th, Nana's older brother John died.  He was 91. He was a good man who lived a long and good life.  Thanks to my sister Sharon, Nana was able to visit with him while he was still able to talk and reminisce about his life.  By the time I arrived last Wednesday, he was not able to respond, but I believe he heard everything around him.  When Nana visited him that day, she talked to him and said, "John, it's your kid sister Deanie."  It made me think how no matter what their ages, she will always be the kid sister and he the big brother,even at 88 and 91.

Nana has lots of pictures of Uncle John when he was in the Army during World War II.  He and my dad were both stationed overseas during the war, Uncle John in the Middle East and Daddy in Italy. In those days there was no E-mail or Skype or Facebook.  The only communications were postcards, letters and pictures and those are priceless treasures to remind us of the sacrifices those servicemen and their families made for us.

At tomorrow's service Nana will say goodby to Uncle John.  Although it will be sad, I know she realizes how fortunate she was to have enjoyed being a kid sister to her big brother for 88 years.

Progress

Last week at Nana's check up at the doctor's office, she weighed 110 pounds!  This is real progress as she had gotten as low as 102 pounds in the past year.  When I took her to the doctor a few months ago, she was 104 pounds so that 6 pound gain is major progress.  I asked her if she held her purse because it weighs about 4 pounds, but she said, "No, they wouldn't let me."  I'm very happy with the additional pounds as it gives her more stamina.

Another difference I have seen in the past six months is that she gets hungry.  She's ready for her pancake and coffee in the morning and when I talk to her in the afternoon she's ready for beans or toast.  That is an encouraging sign.

As we see Uncle John's illness, it's a reminder that things can change quickly.  But for now, I'm celebrating those six pounds!

Nana and Brothers

Nana is the only living sister in her family.  Aunt Elizabeth  (Auntie) died in 1988 and Aunt Grace died in 1994.  Her brothers are Uncle John, who is 91 and Uncle Ben who is 81. Uncle Ben fell in January and broke his femur and recently returned to his home after being in Muncy Skilled Nursing for several months.  He's not able to drive yet since returning home because of difficulty walking.   Uncle John was admitted to the hospital last week with swallowing problems. 

The connection of a sibling is important at any age, but I see how much Nana cares about staying in touch with her brothers.  Because of their different physical limitations, in-person visits aren't often possible. Especially when there are health challenges, I see how concerned she is about the well being of her brothers and how important getting up to date reports is to her peace of mind.

Even though we don't always agree, I'm grateful for my brothers Wayne and Bill. I've always enjoyed a close relationship with my sister Sharon, which I treasure.  Recently, I 've been more in touch with both my brothers and that's been a joy.  I hope that when all of us are in our 80's and 90's, we can stay connected like Nana, Uncle John and Uncle Ben. 

Nana and Uncle Ben June 2007

Nana and Uncle John and Aunt Dorothy June 2007

Nana and Mitzi

Every morning, I call Nana at 8:10am.  This is the first of the "check -in" calls of the day.  Sharon and I devised a schedule after Nana came home from her hospital stays in 2010.  Here is how it works: I call Nana in the morning, Nana calls Sharon after she gets back from Mays and any errands, I call Nana in the afternoon and Nana calls Sharon at 9:30pm every night.  This is our way of making sure that Nana is safe and doing ok throughout the day.  It works well because Nana loves a schedule.

When I talk to Nana on the phone each morning, I sit in my glider rocker.  Mitzi is on my lap and I comb her while Nana and I talk.  Nana loves knowing that Mitzi is there while we talk.  She jokes," Tell Mitzi Nana already combed her hair today." 

I believe Mitzi and Nana are related because Mitzi loves schedules too and this morning one is a favorite.  She seems to know what we are doing.  Each morning as I head for the phone and the rocker, I say "Come on Mitzi, it's time to call Nana."  No matter where she is in the house, she promptly appears at my feet, ready for our call and combing.

Nana's memories of Mitzi are from the times she spent visiting our house in Ruckersville, VA.  Nana loved the Blue Ridge Mountains, sitting on the porch, and sharing the red chair with Mitzi.  With most people, Mitzi is not social, but Nana was different.  Mitizi often sat on the back of this favorite red chair while Nana watched TV or did her WordFind books.  I don't have any pictures in my computer of them together - that was before my digital camera - but I can still picture both of them there.
This is a picture of Mitzi.  She is 10 years old now and Nana's grandkitty. 

Nana Central

Nana is really the hub for all information.  She likes to serve as the messenger to keep all of us updated on any breaking news.  If there is something the family needs to know, I can make one phone call and she will happily convey the details to everyone.  Without the benefit of Facebook, e-mail,  or texting, family news moves at lightning speed.
Speaking of texting, I told Nana during my last visit that I should teach her how to text on my phone because I can't text while driving.  Personally, I can barely text while sitting so texting and driving will never happen for me.  When I mention texting to Nana, she always says, "I don't know about texting, but I would like to go to Texas."
Although I'm in Mechanicsville, VA, I always know about the daily stories in the Sun Gazette, the top news on WILQ and the weather in the Susquehanna Valley.  Although I haven't lived there for 13 years, Nana sends me those pieces of home via phone and U.S. Mail.  I think it gives her a purpose and makes me still feel connected to Pennsylvania.  I'm grateful for Nana Central.