Happy 50th Wedding Anniversay, Mom and Dad

They were so young, babies really.  Mom and Dad met  at a party, and it became love.  Mom was 19 years old and Dad had just returned from Korea, a whole 22 years old.  He quit high school, took the equivalency test, and lied about his age so he could go.  Mom had lost her father when she was 14 years old, she, her mom and brother had kind of a hard life.  My grams who hadn't had to work, started.  Mom found a job, and together, they took care of her younger brother.  My dad had been helping his family for years.  First he worked with my grandfather, running a heating and cooling service.  When my dad was a teen, his father contract emphysema, probably from the Asbestos, but who knew what that was back then.  Every year they would say how bad he was, and every year he continued to survive.  Then came the army, where he would send part of his pay home to help his folks.  My dad is the youngest of six children and several foster child were included in his family, Aunt Lois, Betty, Debby, Uncle Bruce, Ron, Bill.  My dad lost Grandpa when I was 14 years old.  All that's left are Debby (adopted sister, now the youngest) and him.  Now, both of my dad's parents are gone, Grandma passed just a few years ago.  I know it broke his heart, he did his best to take care of them.  My mom lost her brother last year.  My mom's stepdad has now left as well, but my grams is still feisty, I just wish her health was better.  Grams still has a sister living in Arizona, they're hardier stock, living through the depression as they did.  My parents have now raised their own family, seven of their own children, and fifteen grandchildren.  But they're still there if I need them, still call if they need me.  And my siblings still make me call my parents when they want them to do something because my dad can rarely refuse me. 

I love you, Mom and Dad.  Thanks for all the good times (which were many), the bad times (which were hidden from us), and for everything in between.  I know that with seven children, life wasn't as easy or as wealthy as some or maybe not as fun either.  But there was always excitement, always something happening, always a whirlwind of activity, and always love.  It was never boring, I learned to change diapers by the time I was 10 years old, how to warm a bottle, and when to sing a lullaby.  I held my sisters hands and played.  My brother, our protector.  And I wouldn't want it any other way.  Happy 50th Anniversary!

Love You Always, Forever and A Day,

Dottie Ann