by LaVerna Laub Brighurst Johnson
THE SMELL OF CEDAR, THE SCENT OF PINE, THE SAVOR OF SAGEBRUSH FIRE ARE PARCEL AND PART OF THE DAD WE LOVE, PART OF THE LOVE WE SHARE.
A LOVING FATHER WHO CARED AND SHARED, HE TAUGHT US A LOVE OF THE HILLS; A LOVE OF THE SKIES AND THE STARS AT NIGHT, A LOVE OF THE HUNTER'S THRILLS.
HE WAS BORN TO STRUGGLE, TO FIGHT, TO WIN, NOT BORN TO AN EASY LIFE, HE WAS BORN INDEPENDENT, NOT TO GIVE IN. HE WAS BLESSED WITH A PATIENT WIFE.
A WIFE WHO LOVED HIM AND STOOD BY HIS SIDE IN TIMES OF JOY OR SORROW; WHO SHARED HIS DREAMS FOR 35 YEARS, A MOTHER WITH FAITH IN TOMORROW.
THIRTEEN CHILDREN WERE BORN TO THEM AND PROUDLY BORE HIS NAME, AND THIRTEEN VERSIONS OF DAD'S FULL SIZE WOULD BE THEIRS, AND NONE WOULD BE THE SAME.
HE TAUGHT THERE WAS JOY IN THE SWING OF THE AX, PEACE IN A JOB WELL DONE, HAPPINESS FOUND IN THE HEART OF A FRIEND WHO IS WITH YOU, RIGHT OR WRONG.
THE OLD FASHIONED VIRTUES ARE THE ONES HE LOVED BEST, THE ONES WITHOUT POMP OR SHOW. THE HONEST OF HEART WHO FOUND SIMPLE FARE BEST WERE THE ONES HE DELIGHTED TO KNOW.
A WEAKNESS OR FAULT CAN BE BIG OR SMALL, CAN BE FIERCE AS IT CAN BE, BUT A FAULT IN THE EYES OF A LOVING CHILD IS OFTER HARED TO SEE.
THE LIVES WE, HIS CHILDREN , LIVE TO SERVE BEST TO BRING INTO FOCUS HIS REASON FOR LIVING, AND WE PRAY THAT WE'LL BUILD ON THE BEST THAT HE GAVE, THAT HIS NAME WILL GROW WITH OUR GIVING.
WE PRAY WE MIGHT LIVE THAT WE'LL HONOR HIS NAME. WE'RE THE LEGACY HE WOULD BEQUEATH. IN HIS PASSING WE GATHER TO BIND TIGHT OUR LOVE THAT ENCIRCLES HIS NAME LIKE A WREATH.
Showing posts with label Cleo Jackson: story seen through the eyes of the third child.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cleo Jackson: story seen through the eyes of the third child.. Show all posts
Rose Marie's Mother's Day
Poem 1990
I KNOW I WAS ROTTEN
WHEN I WAS A KID
BUT I TURNED OUT OK
AT LEAST I THINK I DID.
YOU'RE STEADFAST AND STRONG
YOU SEEM TO KNOW AND SEE ALL.
WHEN I STAND BY YOUR SIDE
I FEEL TEN FEET TALL.
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH
BUT THERE'S ONE THING
MISSING
THAT'S TIME SPENT
WITH YOU
JUST HUGGING AND
KISSING
I KNOW I WAS ROTTEN
WHEN I WAS A KID
BUT I TURNED OUT OK
AT LEAST I THINK I DID.
YOU'RE STEADFAST AND STRONG
YOU SEEM TO KNOW AND SEE ALL.
WHEN I STAND BY YOUR SIDE
I FEEL TEN FEET TALL.
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH
BUT THERE'S ONE THING
MISSING
THAT'S TIME SPENT
WITH YOU
JUST HUGGING AND
KISSING
The Wind Beneath My Wings
words and music by
Larry Henly and Jeff Silbar
(The words in this song express all the feelings I have for my Mother. Cleo)
It must have been cold there in our shadows,
to never have sunlight on you face.
You were content to let us shine,
That was your way,
You always walked the step behind.
So we were the ones with all the glory,
While you were the one with all the strength.
A beautiful face without a name--for so long,
A beautiful smile to hide the pain.
Did you ever know that you're my hero,
And everything I would like to be?
I can fly Higher than an Eagle,
Cause you are the wind beneath my wings.
It might have appeared to go unnoticed,
But I've got it all right here in my heart.
I want you to know the trugh,
Of course I know it,
I would be nothing without you.
Did you ever know that you're my hero,
And everything I would like to be"
I can fly higher than an eagle,
For you were the wind beneath my wings.
Thank you! Thank God for you
The wind beneath my wings.
Larry Henly and Jeff Silbar
(The words in this song express all the feelings I have for my Mother. Cleo)
It must have been cold there in our shadows,
to never have sunlight on you face.
You were content to let us shine,
That was your way,
You always walked the step behind.
So we were the ones with all the glory,
While you were the one with all the strength.
A beautiful face without a name--for so long,
A beautiful smile to hide the pain.
Did you ever know that you're my hero,
And everything I would like to be?
I can fly Higher than an Eagle,
Cause you are the wind beneath my wings.
It might have appeared to go unnoticed,
But I've got it all right here in my heart.
I want you to know the trugh,
Of course I know it,
I would be nothing without you.
Did you ever know that you're my hero,
And everything I would like to be"
I can fly higher than an eagle,
For you were the wind beneath my wings.
Thank you! Thank God for you
The wind beneath my wings.
"I'm as Good as Anyone Else!"
Mom met a soul mate there of her age. He was and earl riser and lonely too. He eventually moved in with her. They were both in their seventies, She told us kids not to worry, They were both too old to do anything they shouldn't. There were such a cute couple,, and good for each other. They laughed a lot and played Bingo. He was Mel and she was Melba.
They "went to work" each morning. (That was what they called playing Bingo.) They allotted just so much of their monthly incomes to spend each day. If they won they shared and if they lost they went home. Mom kept careful track of her winnings and losses and saw to it that she broke even each month so as not to get in trouble with gambling.
She kept zip lock baggies in her purse to take home the food she had too much of at lunch so there was always something good left for dinner.
They had many elderly good friends to meet each morning. Mom and Mel were up at 4:30 and on the move. She was having the time of her life! If anyone came to visit they also had to be ready to play a game of Bingo with her as her work would not wait.
Mom said another of her and Mel's jobs was to listen to each other sleep. Mel was there for her that Sunday morning and awoke when her breathing pattern changed and stopped.
Elvin had be down Saturday, June 9, 1990, and had a good visit. He had gone to "work" with the pair and Mom won $60 dollars at Bingo. Then Elvin drove back to his home in Pahrump.
Mom called Kathryn in the early evening worrying about storms back in Kansas the TV news had been reporting, hoping she wasn't getting flooded out.
Mom had developed an upset stomach earlier in the day that wouldn't go away and retired to bed an hour earlier than usual. We know now she was having a heart attack... too late. At 3:30 in the morning her sweet hear stopped beating. Mel was there listening bu could not help.
I know it is not rational but I have found to forgive Mel for his lack of knowledge of basic CPR! Jimmy and I have taken him home with us. He lives in his motor home in our front yard where Jimmy has made a special place for him. My mother would have wanted us to.
We laid her to rest in St. George beside Daddy in the place she had prepared for them both. She and all those other Moss Backs, together again, as equals.
During her 77 years, Mom got to see all the progress from the horse and buggy to seeing men land on the moon. She was there for the inventions of radio, television, portable telephones, answering machines, and microwave ovens. She told us when she was a little girl with outdoor toilets, she had a can-o-pee under her bed. She had to laugh when her daughter begged her for a con-o-py over her bed.
We didn't know until we were old enough to understand, Mom had a bit of inferiority complex and would let small mined people hurt her.
In St. George she took us kids to Church one time when Jeff was the baby. We were not in regular attendance on Sundays since we seldom had transportation.
Daddy smoked cigarettes. The scent of smoke must have clung to out clothes. A lady in front of us was seen to sniff the air then remark loudly to the person next to her, "People who smoke should stay home."
It was a rare instance when we were able to get Mom out to Church again. She usually say to it we older children took the younger ones and walked the two miles as often as possible.
One day Mom said she did n;t like to go to the classes in Sunday School. "Every time I go the teacher gives the lesson and stares straight at me. I don't have to go and be treated like that."
"That is how you and I differ, Mom," I told her. When I go to class I think the teacher is talking to those around me."
Sometime after Daddy died and Mom was feeling SO low, she went to her doctor for a check up. When she walked into his office he looked at her and said, "How are you today, Mrs. Laub?"
Sometimes, she thought, people deliberately slurred the two words and called her "Mrs. Slobb", She looked the doctor in the eyes and said, "I'm as Good as anyone else!" The doctor had a good laugh and she and he became fast friends.
On day one of her younger sons asked her how old she was, Mom told him, "See those hills out there? I remember when they rose out of the ground like loaves of bread." He went to school and reported to class that his mother was as old as the hills.
He felt betrayed when they laughed at him. Had Mom known it was an assignment to interview a parent for home work she'd have been more careful. From then on we were all proud to brag that our mother was as old as the hills.
My mom told me once. "Do you know what Happiness is? It is when you Eleventh child calls you on Mother's day and says Thank you for not having an abortion".
There are those who thing Mom should have been at Church instead of playing Bingo. Maybe so. I personally think God understood and loved this women who had problems of almost 100 children and grandchildren to worry after. I vote with Him ---- she did a real good!
They "went to work" each morning. (That was what they called playing Bingo.) They allotted just so much of their monthly incomes to spend each day. If they won they shared and if they lost they went home. Mom kept careful track of her winnings and losses and saw to it that she broke even each month so as not to get in trouble with gambling.
She kept zip lock baggies in her purse to take home the food she had too much of at lunch so there was always something good left for dinner.
They had many elderly good friends to meet each morning. Mom and Mel were up at 4:30 and on the move. She was having the time of her life! If anyone came to visit they also had to be ready to play a game of Bingo with her as her work would not wait.
Mom said another of her and Mel's jobs was to listen to each other sleep. Mel was there for her that Sunday morning and awoke when her breathing pattern changed and stopped.
Elvin had be down Saturday, June 9, 1990, and had a good visit. He had gone to "work" with the pair and Mom won $60 dollars at Bingo. Then Elvin drove back to his home in Pahrump.
Mom called Kathryn in the early evening worrying about storms back in Kansas the TV news had been reporting, hoping she wasn't getting flooded out.
Mom had developed an upset stomach earlier in the day that wouldn't go away and retired to bed an hour earlier than usual. We know now she was having a heart attack... too late. At 3:30 in the morning her sweet hear stopped beating. Mel was there listening bu could not help.
I know it is not rational but I have found to forgive Mel for his lack of knowledge of basic CPR! Jimmy and I have taken him home with us. He lives in his motor home in our front yard where Jimmy has made a special place for him. My mother would have wanted us to.
We laid her to rest in St. George beside Daddy in the place she had prepared for them both. She and all those other Moss Backs, together again, as equals.
During her 77 years, Mom got to see all the progress from the horse and buggy to seeing men land on the moon. She was there for the inventions of radio, television, portable telephones, answering machines, and microwave ovens. She told us when she was a little girl with outdoor toilets, she had a can-o-pee under her bed. She had to laugh when her daughter begged her for a con-o-py over her bed.
We didn't know until we were old enough to understand, Mom had a bit of inferiority complex and would let small mined people hurt her.
In St. George she took us kids to Church one time when Jeff was the baby. We were not in regular attendance on Sundays since we seldom had transportation.
Daddy smoked cigarettes. The scent of smoke must have clung to out clothes. A lady in front of us was seen to sniff the air then remark loudly to the person next to her, "People who smoke should stay home."
It was a rare instance when we were able to get Mom out to Church again. She usually say to it we older children took the younger ones and walked the two miles as often as possible.
One day Mom said she did n;t like to go to the classes in Sunday School. "Every time I go the teacher gives the lesson and stares straight at me. I don't have to go and be treated like that."
"That is how you and I differ, Mom," I told her. When I go to class I think the teacher is talking to those around me."
Sometime after Daddy died and Mom was feeling SO low, she went to her doctor for a check up. When she walked into his office he looked at her and said, "How are you today, Mrs. Laub?"
Sometimes, she thought, people deliberately slurred the two words and called her "Mrs. Slobb", She looked the doctor in the eyes and said, "I'm as Good as anyone else!" The doctor had a good laugh and she and he became fast friends.
On day one of her younger sons asked her how old she was, Mom told him, "See those hills out there? I remember when they rose out of the ground like loaves of bread." He went to school and reported to class that his mother was as old as the hills.
He felt betrayed when they laughed at him. Had Mom known it was an assignment to interview a parent for home work she'd have been more careful. From then on we were all proud to brag that our mother was as old as the hills.
My mom told me once. "Do you know what Happiness is? It is when you Eleventh child calls you on Mother's day and says Thank you for not having an abortion".
There are those who thing Mom should have been at Church instead of playing Bingo. Maybe so. I personally think God understood and loved this women who had problems of almost 100 children and grandchildren to worry after. I vote with Him ---- she did a real good!
What Mama Wants, Mama gets
She was quietly proud of all us kids. We wanted to excel in life so she could be proud of us and not have to ever hear again --- "Here comes Melba and her brats, don't answer the door." her children and grandchildren's accomplishments made her last twenty years feel like all that work was worth her years of hard labor.
We all wanted to spoil her to the best of our abilities. Elvin always said, "What ever my Mama wants, I'll try to see she gets it." She bragged to her friends, "I have 13 kids and we are best friends. If I wanted a Cadillac and asked them for it, they'd get it for me." Fortunately, she never wanted a Cadillac.
Mom slowed down her travels the last year and half of her life. After Wayne, one of the twins, was killed in an auto accident in 1988, I saw a change in her pattern. She didn't want to see he children go first. she could hardly make herself drive over the new highway Wayne had helped build between Las Vegas and Bull Head City just before his death.
She took up the occupation of worrying. I told her to quit that. I had always bragged about her in Relief Society when I taught my Family Education lessons. I told everyone how my mother was my hero. She would take care of the problems she could handle and not worry about thing she couldn't change. i said, "Don't make a liar out of me now, after all these years." She laughed. It always surprised her to find just how wise we children found her to be.
Daddy always had jobs that required him to be up at four or five in the mornings. Mom was always there to fix his breakfast and pack a lunch. Then they would sit around the table laughing and talking until he left, a comforting sound to sleeping children. The memories of the smell of bacon and coffee in early hours still makes me homesick.
Although it had bee years since Daddy died and the last child moved out, Mom found herself still waking up early. When the sun went down she found herself expecting someone to come home. She missed her early morning talks and tasks.
She then was living in Bullhead City across the river from the boom town of Laughlin. to our surprise she began taking the ferry across the Colorado River from Arizona to the Nevada side to Sam's Town Casino. There she enjoyed an Early Bird ninety nine cent breakfast and game of Bingo. She was happy to finally find something she could do other that sit around feeling gloom and doom.
We all wanted to spoil her to the best of our abilities. Elvin always said, "What ever my Mama wants, I'll try to see she gets it." She bragged to her friends, "I have 13 kids and we are best friends. If I wanted a Cadillac and asked them for it, they'd get it for me." Fortunately, she never wanted a Cadillac.
Mom slowed down her travels the last year and half of her life. After Wayne, one of the twins, was killed in an auto accident in 1988, I saw a change in her pattern. She didn't want to see he children go first. she could hardly make herself drive over the new highway Wayne had helped build between Las Vegas and Bull Head City just before his death.
She took up the occupation of worrying. I told her to quit that. I had always bragged about her in Relief Society when I taught my Family Education lessons. I told everyone how my mother was my hero. She would take care of the problems she could handle and not worry about thing she couldn't change. i said, "Don't make a liar out of me now, after all these years." She laughed. It always surprised her to find just how wise we children found her to be.
Daddy always had jobs that required him to be up at four or five in the mornings. Mom was always there to fix his breakfast and pack a lunch. Then they would sit around the table laughing and talking until he left, a comforting sound to sleeping children. The memories of the smell of bacon and coffee in early hours still makes me homesick.
Although it had bee years since Daddy died and the last child moved out, Mom found herself still waking up early. When the sun went down she found herself expecting someone to come home. She missed her early morning talks and tasks.
She then was living in Bullhead City across the river from the boom town of Laughlin. to our surprise she began taking the ferry across the Colorado River from Arizona to the Nevada side to Sam's Town Casino. There she enjoyed an Early Bird ninety nine cent breakfast and game of Bingo. She was happy to finally find something she could do other that sit around feeling gloom and doom.
Visiting Kids
All the children grew up and married with lives of their own. Mom's friend Sandy would travel with her. he encouraged her to be independent and not let the kids tell her she was old and should stay home in a rocking chair in case they needed her.
Mon and Sandy would travel to land sales promotions and Mom would put down payments on property and make monthly payments so she would have something of growing value to have in her old age.
Mom believe land was something one should have. She bought 2 lots in the town site just opened in Lake Havasu, Arizona. She bought one in Riviera, Arizona. Today those two towns have grown beyond her dreams. Riviera has been incorporated into the city of Bullhead City. She bought 2 lots in Berlin, New Mexico, one each in Mead View and Dolon Springs, Arizona.
Then Sandy was killed in a car wreck as he was turning into the driveway at mom's home in Las Vegas. She was devastated again.
Around 1980 she made the decision to leave Las Vegas and the old homestead where all the memories pressed in on her. She was determined to start a new life and not get stuck in limbo. there was living to do and she was going to do it.
She prepared to move to her Riviera property in Bull head City, Arizona, thirty miles from me in Needles, California. On it Elvin fixed his mother a home she loved and was proud to live in. She bought herself a car and visited anyone she felt like visiting. She had wheels and knew how to use them.
There was Kathryn in Kansas, LaVerna in Southern Utah, Elvin's and Wayne's families in Pahurump, Nevada, Emma lea in Rocklin, CA. and Erick was her pit stop at Bunkerville, Nevada when ever Mom drove to St. George, Willard, Deanna, Jeffrey, Kenny, and Tammy all lived in Las Vegas. I was in Needles. Rose Marie was in Hawaii, one place her car couldn't take her. But she flew over a few times.
Mom told people she had thirteen children and could spend one month with each one and never be at the same home twice for Christmas for 13 years.
She was our best friend, When we children get together we talk about "My Mother". There were a FEW times when we said, "Do you know war YOUR mother did?" If I ever whined or sniveled about my husband's imperfections, mom always stuck up for him. she thought he spoiled me rotten. he has lost his best allly and I, my friend.
Mon and Sandy would travel to land sales promotions and Mom would put down payments on property and make monthly payments so she would have something of growing value to have in her old age.
Mom believe land was something one should have. She bought 2 lots in the town site just opened in Lake Havasu, Arizona. She bought one in Riviera, Arizona. Today those two towns have grown beyond her dreams. Riviera has been incorporated into the city of Bullhead City. She bought 2 lots in Berlin, New Mexico, one each in Mead View and Dolon Springs, Arizona.
Then Sandy was killed in a car wreck as he was turning into the driveway at mom's home in Las Vegas. She was devastated again.
Around 1980 she made the decision to leave Las Vegas and the old homestead where all the memories pressed in on her. She was determined to start a new life and not get stuck in limbo. there was living to do and she was going to do it.
She prepared to move to her Riviera property in Bull head City, Arizona, thirty miles from me in Needles, California. On it Elvin fixed his mother a home she loved and was proud to live in. She bought herself a car and visited anyone she felt like visiting. She had wheels and knew how to use them.
There was Kathryn in Kansas, LaVerna in Southern Utah, Elvin's and Wayne's families in Pahurump, Nevada, Emma lea in Rocklin, CA. and Erick was her pit stop at Bunkerville, Nevada when ever Mom drove to St. George, Willard, Deanna, Jeffrey, Kenny, and Tammy all lived in Las Vegas. I was in Needles. Rose Marie was in Hawaii, one place her car couldn't take her. But she flew over a few times.
Mom told people she had thirteen children and could spend one month with each one and never be at the same home twice for Christmas for 13 years.
She was our best friend, When we children get together we talk about "My Mother". There were a FEW times when we said, "Do you know war YOUR mother did?" If I ever whined or sniveled about my husband's imperfections, mom always stuck up for him. she thought he spoiled me rotten. he has lost his best allly and I, my friend.
Broken Eggs
There was a time in my married life when my husband decided he liked chickens. He build me a coop and bought a couple hundred chickens, whether I wanted them or not.
One day shortly after Mom had been down for a visit, bringing Rose and Tammy to play with my 4 children. Jimmy and I found a place near the front of the chicken coop where a shallow hole had been scooped out and a large batch of broken eggs were buried. Naturally i though of Rose Marie who was known for her impetuous personality.
On the next visit from Mom and the girls, we were sitting at the table eating lunch when I remembered the broken eggs.
"Rose," I said, "Do you need to tell me about anything you did the last time you were here that I should know about?"
"What do you mean, " she asked guiltily, "Do you mean the time Mike and I took a package of instant pudding to the bushes and made a bowl of it to eat without asking?"
"No."
"Oh, do you mean the time Mike and I snuck a pack of Jimmy's cigarettes out of the drawer and smoked them in the bushes?"
"No!" this was getting interesting.
"Well, do you mean the time we walked to the river and filled our pop bottles with water and wrote dirty words in the road?"
"No!" Rose was getting a panicky look on her face. "Do you know anything about a bunch of broken eggs?"
Mam gave a surprised giggle. "I know what you are talking about. I did that. I gathered the eggs for you and tripped as I left the coop. i did a big flip onto the ground trying not to drop the bucket. it sailed over my head in a circle and smashed right there in front of my face. i didn't want the dog to eat them and get a taste for eggs so I scooped a hole in the sand and buried them." We had us a good laugh. i don't think Rose Marie thought it was so funny being tricked into confessing to all her past sins.
One day shortly after Mom had been down for a visit, bringing Rose and Tammy to play with my 4 children. Jimmy and I found a place near the front of the chicken coop where a shallow hole had been scooped out and a large batch of broken eggs were buried. Naturally i though of Rose Marie who was known for her impetuous personality.
On the next visit from Mom and the girls, we were sitting at the table eating lunch when I remembered the broken eggs.
"Rose," I said, "Do you need to tell me about anything you did the last time you were here that I should know about?"
"What do you mean, " she asked guiltily, "Do you mean the time Mike and I took a package of instant pudding to the bushes and made a bowl of it to eat without asking?"
"No."
"Oh, do you mean the time Mike and I snuck a pack of Jimmy's cigarettes out of the drawer and smoked them in the bushes?"
"No!" this was getting interesting.
"Well, do you mean the time we walked to the river and filled our pop bottles with water and wrote dirty words in the road?"
"No!" Rose was getting a panicky look on her face. "Do you know anything about a bunch of broken eggs?"
Mam gave a surprised giggle. "I know what you are talking about. I did that. I gathered the eggs for you and tripped as I left the coop. i did a big flip onto the ground trying not to drop the bucket. it sailed over my head in a circle and smashed right there in front of my face. i didn't want the dog to eat them and get a taste for eggs so I scooped a hole in the sand and buried them." We had us a good laugh. i don't think Rose Marie thought it was so funny being tricked into confessing to all her past sins.
How Does One Go On?
These were the hardest and saddest years for Mom. How was she to go on? After all those years of being a housewife and mother, she had to find work to help support the family. She got a job making salads for the salad bar at Hill Top House, a restaurant owned by old friends. She sold Avon. She sold Tupperware.
She soon felt she had lost control of her children. Without help of Daddy to back her authority, her children thought she had not the right to tell them what to do and were going wrong directions.
Tammy, who has always been Mom's baby, was sent to live with LaVerna's family for her freshman year of High School. The separation was hard on both Mother and Daughter. Tammy came home with a new found respect for Mom and things went better for them.
Kenny was a rebellious enough teenager to move into a big card board box in the back yard of his 16 year old future wife's home. Mom could not understand how to handle these teenage problems. Without Dad there everyone was in turmoil.
The best thing about teenagers is that they soon grow up. That is part of the "Great Plan." Teenagers have to enter a period of time where the are so obnoxious parents are glad to send them off into the world. If they remained as sweet as they were as toddlers, how could a mother's heart ever stand the pain of watching them leave home as adults.
Now that we are all old enough to understand life, we appreciated and love Mom so much more for all the sacrifices she made and for the grit and courage it took to carry on.
I am even thankful for her friend Sandy who cam along to give moral support and tell her she was a person.... not just a Mother.
She soon felt she had lost control of her children. Without help of Daddy to back her authority, her children thought she had not the right to tell them what to do and were going wrong directions.
Tammy, who has always been Mom's baby, was sent to live with LaVerna's family for her freshman year of High School. The separation was hard on both Mother and Daughter. Tammy came home with a new found respect for Mom and things went better for them.
Kenny was a rebellious enough teenager to move into a big card board box in the back yard of his 16 year old future wife's home. Mom could not understand how to handle these teenage problems. Without Dad there everyone was in turmoil.
The best thing about teenagers is that they soon grow up. That is part of the "Great Plan." Teenagers have to enter a period of time where the are so obnoxious parents are glad to send them off into the world. If they remained as sweet as they were as toddlers, how could a mother's heart ever stand the pain of watching them leave home as adults.
Now that we are all old enough to understand life, we appreciated and love Mom so much more for all the sacrifices she made and for the grit and courage it took to carry on.
I am even thankful for her friend Sandy who cam along to give moral support and tell her she was a person.... not just a Mother.
One Car Accident
This home in Las Vegas is also where the years of smoking cigarettes and working in the dust on the heavy equipment jobs caught up with Dad.
Working at the Nevada Atomic Test Site didn't help his lungs either. He would drive his Bulldozer into the area of Ground Zero after Atom bobs were exploded above ground. He wore a radiation meter on his coveralls. When it reached a high contamination reading he would be sent home for a few weeks until his radiation meter read cool again.
After one of dad's first experiences of participating in an above ground nuclear test explosion, he wrote home to Mom and said how sick most of the men were who had taken part. Most of the men Had returned to the dormitories violently ill with vomiting. Elvin had just come out of the Navy and Dad had got him a job at Mercury with him. Daddy said how glad he was Elvin's job required him to be inside that day so he was not sick too.
Many of these men later in life developed a variety of Cancers that ended their lives. We all suspect these above ground test caused the diseases that caused their ends on this Earth to be pain ridden. Of course the government denies any wrong doing.
By age fifty eight Dad was always sick with pneumonia symptoms. it was finally diagnosed as Emphysema. With this dreaded lung disease he experienced failing health and the depression that comes with it.
In 1967 at age 60, Dad was killed in a one car roll over accident. That was probably the first time Mom and the small kids weren't in the car with him when he was traveling to Utah. He was on his way to see a cousin friend of his youth.
There were no speed limits on the Nevada highways. Dad passed a car as he was traveling over the Mormon Mesa near Glendale, Nevada. His speed was estimated at over 100 miles per hour as he passed, became airborne and lost control of his car. The car rolled several times and Dad was killed instantly as he was ejected from the vehicle.
Dad had 6 strong sons who carried him to his final resting place. The L.D.S. Chapel in Las Vegas was packed with many friends as well as family. Many people loved him and did not know the turmoil his soul had been going through as his health worsened in the last year of his life. God took him speedily so his suffering would be at an end.
We buried him in St. George where all his parents and grand parents are buried.
Jeffery had just come out of the service from serving in Viet Nam. Emma Lea, Kenny, Rosemarie, and Tammy were still in school.
Working at the Nevada Atomic Test Site didn't help his lungs either. He would drive his Bulldozer into the area of Ground Zero after Atom bobs were exploded above ground. He wore a radiation meter on his coveralls. When it reached a high contamination reading he would be sent home for a few weeks until his radiation meter read cool again.
After one of dad's first experiences of participating in an above ground nuclear test explosion, he wrote home to Mom and said how sick most of the men were who had taken part. Most of the men Had returned to the dormitories violently ill with vomiting. Elvin had just come out of the Navy and Dad had got him a job at Mercury with him. Daddy said how glad he was Elvin's job required him to be inside that day so he was not sick too.
Many of these men later in life developed a variety of Cancers that ended their lives. We all suspect these above ground test caused the diseases that caused their ends on this Earth to be pain ridden. Of course the government denies any wrong doing.
By age fifty eight Dad was always sick with pneumonia symptoms. it was finally diagnosed as Emphysema. With this dreaded lung disease he experienced failing health and the depression that comes with it.
In 1967 at age 60, Dad was killed in a one car roll over accident. That was probably the first time Mom and the small kids weren't in the car with him when he was traveling to Utah. He was on his way to see a cousin friend of his youth.
There were no speed limits on the Nevada highways. Dad passed a car as he was traveling over the Mormon Mesa near Glendale, Nevada. His speed was estimated at over 100 miles per hour as he passed, became airborne and lost control of his car. The car rolled several times and Dad was killed instantly as he was ejected from the vehicle.
Dad had 6 strong sons who carried him to his final resting place. The L.D.S. Chapel in Las Vegas was packed with many friends as well as family. Many people loved him and did not know the turmoil his soul had been going through as his health worsened in the last year of his life. God took him speedily so his suffering would be at an end.
We buried him in St. George where all his parents and grand parents are buried.
Jeffery had just come out of the service from serving in Viet Nam. Emma Lea, Kenny, Rosemarie, and Tammy were still in school.
Pushed Over the Edge
There is a story Kathryn, Kenny and Emma Lea told of time living in Las Vegas. Elvin thinks this story may be painful to be told, but this was life the way it was lived. Things were not always as we wish they could have been.
One weekend when Kathryn was the teenager left in charge of the kids while Mom and dad were gone for the day, there came a point where Jeffery teased her once to often. What he did was not important. it was just another minor offense added to the thousand other times the younger brother had tormented his sister in his disrespectful teenage way. It seemed Jeff was set to see how far he could push her.
The final straw came over something as trivial as a can of Tuna Fish and crackers.
As heated words came to blows Kathryn went to the closet where Dad kept his hunting guns. She grabbed a rifle, loaded it, and aimed it at Jeff. She was so angry as she pointed it at him the look on her face must have let him know she was not fooling.
Kathryn said it was hard to explain what feeling came over her as she aimed the gun and watched Jeff's face drain of color leaving only bright freckles and wide blue eyes staring in fear.
A feeling of triumph came to her seeing the object of constant torment at such a disadvantage. She was not herself as she realized she was in control and gloried in knowing she finally had Jeff without the scornful look on his face.
Meanwhile, as the battle first broke out with little Kenny and Emma Lea watching in horror, they ran for help! they had watched as the pacifist Kathryn finally turned on her tormentor, the ran to Elvin as fast as they could with wide eyes and fear on their faces.
One weekend when Kathryn was the teenager left in charge of the kids while Mom and dad were gone for the day, there came a point where Jeffery teased her once to often. What he did was not important. it was just another minor offense added to the thousand other times the younger brother had tormented his sister in his disrespectful teenage way. It seemed Jeff was set to see how far he could push her.
The final straw came over something as trivial as a can of Tuna Fish and crackers.
As heated words came to blows Kathryn went to the closet where Dad kept his hunting guns. She grabbed a rifle, loaded it, and aimed it at Jeff. She was so angry as she pointed it at him the look on her face must have let him know she was not fooling.
Kathryn said it was hard to explain what feeling came over her as she aimed the gun and watched Jeff's face drain of color leaving only bright freckles and wide blue eyes staring in fear.
A feeling of triumph came to her seeing the object of constant torment at such a disadvantage. She was not herself as she realized she was in control and gloried in knowing she finally had Jeff without the scornful look on his face.
Meanwhile, as the battle first broke out with little Kenny and Emma Lea watching in horror, they ran for help! they had watched as the pacifist Kathryn finally turned on her tormentor, the ran to Elvin as fast as they could with wide eyes and fear on their faces.
Jeff's Road Trip
When Dad moved his children to Las Vegas in 1957, Jeff hated to leave behind all his friends.
By the time Jeff turned 12 the next year in May, he had a small motorcycle. Summer came and jeff decided it was time to head back to utah for a visit.
Mom said she and Dad came home from a shopping rip to the store and found a note left for themon the piano. it was from Jeff. It read: "Never worry never fear, you're going to miss you little dear." he then informed them he was headed for Utah on his scooter and don't worry about him.
They immediately set off to findhim. From Las Vagas to St, George was a good two hours in a car going 60 miles per hour. mom envisioned all the bad things that could happen to a young boy on such a mode of transportaion.
They found him safely in Utah having a great time with a friend instead of somewhere alongside the road. there is no doubt Dad was relieved to find him. I wonder just what was said to his little buddy who was beginning to grow his own wings.
By the time Jeff turned 12 the next year in May, he had a small motorcycle. Summer came and jeff decided it was time to head back to utah for a visit.
Mom said she and Dad came home from a shopping rip to the store and found a note left for themon the piano. it was from Jeff. It read: "Never worry never fear, you're going to miss you little dear." he then informed them he was headed for Utah on his scooter and don't worry about him.
They immediately set off to findhim. From Las Vagas to St, George was a good two hours in a car going 60 miles per hour. mom envisioned all the bad things that could happen to a young boy on such a mode of transportaion.
They found him safely in Utah having a great time with a friend instead of somewhere alongside the road. there is no doubt Dad was relieved to find him. I wonder just what was said to his little buddy who was beginning to grow his own wings.
Hysterectomy / Soft Bread
After the last child was born and the family moved to Las Vegas, Doctor Reichman told Mom she had to have a hysterectomy. Thirteen pregnancies left Mom in poor contition. She was told this would put her out of action for heavy work for at least 6 weeks.
Mom worried about how her family woudl get along while she was in St. George recovering form the operation. In preparation for her absence, mom made a large batch of bread for her hungry children.
The operation was a success. After her hospital confinement she went home to Las Vegas to discover all her bread was still there, hard and moldy. Everyone had enjoyed the fangled store bought soft white bread. It was ears before Mom would bake another loaf of bread.
Mom worried about how her family woudl get along while she was in St. George recovering form the operation. In preparation for her absence, mom made a large batch of bread for her hungry children.
The operation was a success. After her hospital confinement she went home to Las Vegas to discover all her bread was still there, hard and moldy. Everyone had enjoyed the fangled store bought soft white bread. It was ears before Mom would bake another loaf of bread.
Tammy's Needles Vacation
Dad would come to Needles to watch boxing matches that were blacked out in Las Vegas. After one of those summertime visits we talked Tammy in staying with us for a week or two when Mom and Dad went home. Our 4 small kids were thrilled that she stayed and everyone went off happily together to make plans for fun.
Suddenly Tammy realized the enormity of what she had asked for. She saw the car leave the driveway and start down the road. Out the door she flew just screaming and crying! Too late. They did not see her. She sobbed herself to sleep that night.
The next few days she began to settle in and play with the kids. She kept a Kleenes tissure ever in her hand to wip a silent ear away every now and then.
After 4 or 5 days Dad missed his baby and called to say "Hello" We were not supposed to return her for a few more days but that phone call brought back that empty longing for family, the tears started gushing! She had to keep teh whole box of kleenes in her hands. She was inconsolable.
I felt bad that Tammy was feeling so unhappy and tried to lift her spirits. "Tammy, won't you stay just a few more days?"
"I want to go home!"
"But Tammy we want you to stay and play with your cousins."
"I hate it here! I hate your house! I hate your kids! I hate your dog! I hate your cat! I hat everyone!" and she burst into fresh torrents of tears. i could not help but laugh at this tiny thing pouring out misery and hate.
Suddenly Tammy realized the enormity of what she had asked for. She saw the car leave the driveway and start down the road. Out the door she flew just screaming and crying! Too late. They did not see her. She sobbed herself to sleep that night.
The next few days she began to settle in and play with the kids. She kept a Kleenes tissure ever in her hand to wip a silent ear away every now and then.
After 4 or 5 days Dad missed his baby and called to say "Hello" We were not supposed to return her for a few more days but that phone call brought back that empty longing for family, the tears started gushing! She had to keep teh whole box of kleenes in her hands. She was inconsolable.
I felt bad that Tammy was feeling so unhappy and tried to lift her spirits. "Tammy, won't you stay just a few more days?"
"I want to go home!"
"But Tammy we want you to stay and play with your cousins."
"I hate it here! I hate your house! I hate your kids! I hate your dog! I hate your cat! I hat everyone!" and she burst into fresh torrents of tears. i could not help but laugh at this tiny thing pouring out misery and hate.
A Wig for Tammy
Tammy, the last born, was as different from Rose Marie as night from day. her disposition was one of peace maker. She was our Kewpie Doll. She never fussed and always had a smile. But she had the dickens of a time growing hair those first 4 years of life.
When her hair came in it was short, pale blond and kinky. We had fun rubber her fuzzy little head which looked almost hairless from a distance. We loved her so! She had the perfect personality for the teasing she had to put up with.
Kathryn became concerned when Tammy was getting ready to enter Kindergarten and still had a short fuzzy hair. She took her babysitting money and bought a wig for her baby sister. mom got such a kick out of that, seeing her baby in that ridiculous wig. It took only a glance to convince Kathryn she should let nature take it's course. It was not long before the real hair began to grow long and think putting Kathryn's fears to rest.
When her hair came in it was short, pale blond and kinky. We had fun rubber her fuzzy little head which looked almost hairless from a distance. We loved her so! She had the perfect personality for the teasing she had to put up with.
Kathryn became concerned when Tammy was getting ready to enter Kindergarten and still had a short fuzzy hair. She took her babysitting money and bought a wig for her baby sister. mom got such a kick out of that, seeing her baby in that ridiculous wig. It took only a glance to convince Kathryn she should let nature take it's course. It was not long before the real hair began to grow long and think putting Kathryn's fears to rest.
X-Lax the new Chocolete Bar
When Deanna was left behind to finish her schooling at Dixie High , she always looked forward to seeing Mom and Dad when they went back to look after the old homestead and check on Grandpa Larson. She missed her brothers and Sisters!
Deanna loved to take little Rose Marie to her apartment and enjoy her for a day. On one such visit when Pose was 4 or 5, she decided she wanted to find her Mom and Dad. She left Deanna's house quietly and walked away one hot summer afternoon. When Deanna realized her baby sister was missing she began frantically looking everywhere.
Mom said she and Dad found Deanna waling down the middle of the hot city black tipped street, bare foot and crying because she had lost Rose Marie.
Deanna got into the car with them to search together. They drove towards the home which was 2 miles form Deanna's They finally saw Rose Marie playing in the yard of Emma lea's little girl friend who lived 2 blocks form the old home.
Rose Marie was born running. She was never afraid of anything! Still is not. Deanna took her to the city pool in St. George for a swim, Rose had never been to a pool before, she was not old enough to talk well let alone swim yet.
Deanna said Rose ran ahead of her and jumped off the deep end and disappeared under water. Deanna was dumbfounded as she watched Rose sink out of sight. She dove right in behind the child.
Diving down to the bottom she found Rose who had her eyes open and a smile on her face. Deanna quickly hauled the little girl to the surface. Rose Marie took a few gasps of air to Deanna's relief. "Fun! Fun!" Rose sputtered.
On these trips home Dad enjoyed being in the financial position where he could give his child money for a treat before leaving town. mom and Dad and Rose stopped for breakfast at the old Dick's Cafe. Rose was given change for a chocolate candy bar as she stood at the check out counter.
On the way back to Las Vegas Ros began complaining about not feeling well. Mom noticed the candy bar Ros was eating was actually a bar of x-lax, a laxative! Before they go to Las Vegas Rose was one miserable little girl. Mom was one mad Mama for anyone selling that to a small child.
Deanna loved to take little Rose Marie to her apartment and enjoy her for a day. On one such visit when Pose was 4 or 5, she decided she wanted to find her Mom and Dad. She left Deanna's house quietly and walked away one hot summer afternoon. When Deanna realized her baby sister was missing she began frantically looking everywhere.
Mom said she and Dad found Deanna waling down the middle of the hot city black tipped street, bare foot and crying because she had lost Rose Marie.
Deanna got into the car with them to search together. They drove towards the home which was 2 miles form Deanna's They finally saw Rose Marie playing in the yard of Emma lea's little girl friend who lived 2 blocks form the old home.
Rose Marie was born running. She was never afraid of anything! Still is not. Deanna took her to the city pool in St. George for a swim, Rose had never been to a pool before, she was not old enough to talk well let alone swim yet.
Deanna said Rose ran ahead of her and jumped off the deep end and disappeared under water. Deanna was dumbfounded as she watched Rose sink out of sight. She dove right in behind the child.
Diving down to the bottom she found Rose who had her eyes open and a smile on her face. Deanna quickly hauled the little girl to the surface. Rose Marie took a few gasps of air to Deanna's relief. "Fun! Fun!" Rose sputtered.
On these trips home Dad enjoyed being in the financial position where he could give his child money for a treat before leaving town. mom and Dad and Rose stopped for breakfast at the old Dick's Cafe. Rose was given change for a chocolate candy bar as she stood at the check out counter.
On the way back to Las Vegas Ros began complaining about not feeling well. Mom noticed the candy bar Ros was eating was actually a bar of x-lax, a laxative! Before they go to Las Vegas Rose was one miserable little girl. Mom was one mad Mama for anyone selling that to a small child.
Kenny's Driving Lesson
Kenny's story of driving to the river with his dad is a great one. About the time the family moved to Las Vegas Dad was home for the weekend. Ken couldn't ave been more than 9 years old when Dad took him for a drive to the river. Dad had a few drinks in his system and feeling no pain. Ken loved Dad's new big car. It had automatic transmission. "Do you want to drive it?" Dad asked.
"You bet!"
Dad pulled off the paved road, put the car in neutral, and pointed the nose of the car up the sloped graveled road side.
"It's easy, " Dad told him as he had Kenn get behind the wheel. Dad put the automatic transmission into gear. "Just put your foot on the gs pedal and gently press with your foot."
Kenny said he put his foot on the gs. Since the car had a slight uphill climb off gravel, the car did not take right off. Kenny tromped his foot on the gas, In a cloud of dust the came alive shooting across the road onto the other side heading for a fence.
Ken could hardly see over the top of the steering wheel. he was scared out of his wits and took his foot off the gas. Dad was able to steer the car until he reached the brake and came to a stop.
Ken said Dad's face was white and he was now cols sober with his surprised eyes wide open. Dad gave Ken a lopsided grin and patted his hand over his fast beating heart. "I think I'll drive," he said.
"You bet!"
Dad pulled off the paved road, put the car in neutral, and pointed the nose of the car up the sloped graveled road side.
"It's easy, " Dad told him as he had Kenn get behind the wheel. Dad put the automatic transmission into gear. "Just put your foot on the gs pedal and gently press with your foot."
Kenny said he put his foot on the gs. Since the car had a slight uphill climb off gravel, the car did not take right off. Kenny tromped his foot on the gas, In a cloud of dust the came alive shooting across the road onto the other side heading for a fence.
Ken could hardly see over the top of the steering wheel. he was scared out of his wits and took his foot off the gas. Dad was able to steer the car until he reached the brake and came to a stop.
Ken said Dad's face was white and he was now cols sober with his surprised eyes wide open. Dad gave Ken a lopsided grin and patted his hand over his fast beating heart. "I think I'll drive," he said.
Skinny Dipping
Danna said it was like that badjoke, she went home after school one time and the family had moved leaving no forwarding addreww. She moved into Grandpa Larson's basement for a while. She later shared an apartment with a girl friend. Deanna paid her own way from then on until her marriage a few years later.
Deanna had a good friend named Anne McGravey. they went through teh silly years together, making fun happen where ever they went. One dark evening they climbed the mulberry trees on the lawn of the St. George Tabernacle, there they proceeded to cry lik little children who were afraid to come down just to get reactions from people coming out of meetings.
Deanna told me of the time she and Anne took a drive to the river soon after they got a drivers license at age 16, As they crossed the bridge Deanna noticed some young boys skinny dipping.
Always with a trained mind for mischief, Deanna told her friend to drive back to where the boys had hung their clothes on the bushes. She go out and retrieved all the clothes! Left nothing!
After driving for another 15 minutes, pity came to Deanna's thoughts at last. The two girls went back to return the clothes and found some pretty downcast boys who were sure they were doomed to walk home in the buff.
Deanna had a good friend named Anne McGravey. they went through teh silly years together, making fun happen where ever they went. One dark evening they climbed the mulberry trees on the lawn of the St. George Tabernacle, there they proceeded to cry lik little children who were afraid to come down just to get reactions from people coming out of meetings.
Deanna told me of the time she and Anne took a drive to the river soon after they got a drivers license at age 16, As they crossed the bridge Deanna noticed some young boys skinny dipping.
Always with a trained mind for mischief, Deanna told her friend to drive back to where the boys had hung their clothes on the bushes. She go out and retrieved all the clothes! Left nothing!
After driving for another 15 minutes, pity came to Deanna's thoughts at last. The two girls went back to return the clothes and found some pretty downcast boys who were sure they were doomed to walk home in the buff.
Two Families
It was in 1957 when Dad moved his family to the Las Vegas home on Nellis Blvd. In 1957 Nellis was just a graveled road, a short cut we took to by pass Las Vegas to get the the Salt Lake Highway when Jimmy would take me to visit my parents in St. George.
Las Vegas is where the second half of the family were raised to adulthood. The children taken to be reared in these new surroundings where Dad would be able to spend more time with his family than we older ones had been given. were Kathryn, Jeff, Emma Lea, Kenny, Rose Marie, and Tammy. that is a sizable family of children itself!
When we have family reunions, we older children get our feelings hut because the children who grew up in Las Vegas seem to shut us out. there seems to be a dividing line. I guess they don't remember any of our good times with them. But WE remember. how we loved them and hated to leave them behind when we went out into the world to start families of our own!
Kenny is the exception. He is still that happy smiling little brother who has so much love to share with everyone that he over looks us older folds strange ways. He has, however, recently mentioned since we older ones are developing aches and pains as we pass over the 60 year old line that he would like a new younger family.
When the family suddenly packed up and moved to Las Vegas Erik was off on his own and Deanna was a Senior in Dixie High School. She was working as a waitress after school and on weekends. She was not home much and wanted to finish the yer and graduate with her friends. She was left behind.
Las Vegas is where the second half of the family were raised to adulthood. The children taken to be reared in these new surroundings where Dad would be able to spend more time with his family than we older ones had been given. were Kathryn, Jeff, Emma Lea, Kenny, Rose Marie, and Tammy. that is a sizable family of children itself!
When we have family reunions, we older children get our feelings hut because the children who grew up in Las Vegas seem to shut us out. there seems to be a dividing line. I guess they don't remember any of our good times with them. But WE remember. how we loved them and hated to leave them behind when we went out into the world to start families of our own!
Kenny is the exception. He is still that happy smiling little brother who has so much love to share with everyone that he over looks us older folds strange ways. He has, however, recently mentioned since we older ones are developing aches and pains as we pass over the 60 year old line that he would like a new younger family.
When the family suddenly packed up and moved to Las Vegas Erik was off on his own and Deanna was a Senior in Dixie High School. She was working as a waitress after school and on weekends. She was not home much and wanted to finish the yer and graduate with her friends. She was left behind.
Arrested
From 1954 until 1957, so stated Dad as he completed filling out his Clearance Questionnaire, he worked on different jobs around Las Vegas as well as Mercury, always as a heavy duty operator.
I learned a few other facts from his Clearance Questionnaire that was too young to comprehend at the time they happened even though I heard Mom and Dad talking about them.
Dad had been arrested twice in his life time. Once in January of 194 when Dad was unemployed and had all those children to feed. He was arrested for killing a white faced calf to take home for the family to eat.
Mom told me about it years later. She got a call from the sheriff in Mesquite, Nevada to come get him. Dad was let off with a suspended sentence when he told the judge if he locked him up, the State would have to feed his family and t would cost a lot more that if they would let him go.
This happened right after Dad was laid off from his Washington County Road Department job.
Dad's second arrest was basically the same thing. it was a deer he was arrested for not tagging at the time it was shot during deer season in 1955. Dad was fined $15 for that. daddy was upset about that one. When he was out of work he saw nothing wrong in augmenting the family food supply with a few deer now and then, he got his $15 worth back many times over.
When I got married in 1955 the only meat I knew how to cook was venison. there was none to be had in the store meat counters so my husband had to put up with me learning to cook beef for him.
the annual deer hunt was not only necessity to provide meat supply for the coming year, but a bonding time for all those who got to the get when Dad wanted them to go. The grown sons remember fondly of nights around the camp fire telling about the big one that got a way.
I learned a few other facts from his Clearance Questionnaire that was too young to comprehend at the time they happened even though I heard Mom and Dad talking about them.
Dad had been arrested twice in his life time. Once in January of 194 when Dad was unemployed and had all those children to feed. He was arrested for killing a white faced calf to take home for the family to eat.
Mom told me about it years later. She got a call from the sheriff in Mesquite, Nevada to come get him. Dad was let off with a suspended sentence when he told the judge if he locked him up, the State would have to feed his family and t would cost a lot more that if they would let him go.
This happened right after Dad was laid off from his Washington County Road Department job.
Dad's second arrest was basically the same thing. it was a deer he was arrested for not tagging at the time it was shot during deer season in 1955. Dad was fined $15 for that. daddy was upset about that one. When he was out of work he saw nothing wrong in augmenting the family food supply with a few deer now and then, he got his $15 worth back many times over.
When I got married in 1955 the only meat I knew how to cook was venison. there was none to be had in the store meat counters so my husband had to put up with me learning to cook beef for him.
the annual deer hunt was not only necessity to provide meat supply for the coming year, but a bonding time for all those who got to the get when Dad wanted them to go. The grown sons remember fondly of nights around the camp fire telling about the big one that got a way.
5 Acers Nellis Blvd.
When Tammy was a few years old Dad bought 5 acres on Nellis Blvd. in Las Vegas across the street from Nellis Air Force Base. At that time the Base was situated far into the desert out of town. Dad's property was out in the boon docks again with more weeping lizards. Dad's acreage contained a sand dune he had to grade smooth before he could build his house.
When Dad decided to move the family to Las Vegas, the freeway was being planned for construction. The state needed part of our 5 acres. They gave Dad enough money to his Las Vegas Dream.
Deanna was a Senior in high school. Dad was working full time at Test Site in Nevada with Elvin just coming out of the Navy. Willard was just entering the Navy with twin Wayne choosing to join the U.S. Air Force.
Dad felt luck when the Nellis Air Force Base decided to upgrade it's officer's housing. The Base sold off the officer's old but well made homes o build new quarters. Dad was able to buy one of these and have it moved onto his acreage. Th then got a second one to put on the lot behind his for Elvin who had sent all his Navy pay home to Mom to use if she needed it. She did. There was none left when Elvin was released from the service and married shortly thereafter.
Mom and Dad were always thankful for Elvin's generosity that helped see them through some tough times until Dad hired on with the government at the Atom Bomb Testing Site.
When Dad decided to move the family to Las Vegas, the freeway was being planned for construction. The state needed part of our 5 acres. They gave Dad enough money to his Las Vegas Dream.
Deanna was a Senior in high school. Dad was working full time at Test Site in Nevada with Elvin just coming out of the Navy. Willard was just entering the Navy with twin Wayne choosing to join the U.S. Air Force.
Dad felt luck when the Nellis Air Force Base decided to upgrade it's officer's housing. The Base sold off the officer's old but well made homes o build new quarters. Dad was able to buy one of these and have it moved onto his acreage. Th then got a second one to put on the lot behind his for Elvin who had sent all his Navy pay home to Mom to use if she needed it. She did. There was none left when Elvin was released from the service and married shortly thereafter.
Mom and Dad were always thankful for Elvin's generosity that helped see them through some tough times until Dad hired on with the government at the Atom Bomb Testing Site.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)