Hello world!

I’m way too old to understand what this is all about or what to do about it, but I have enjoyed reading blogs from family members – and others. So here goes, as I try to figure this all out. My daughter Julie has been paying tribute to all of our family’s February birthdays with pictures and enjoyable memories. Now it is her turn on Mon. Feb. 25. I guess I have been prompted to take a stab at this blogging thing because I just wanted to add a Happy Birthday and Thank You for being such a great daughter.

I have been very adept at complaining about the miserable winter we have been experiencing. However, your birthday quickly reminds me of the day in that year that you came to us bringing such joy and love to your Mother, Brother, and me. I guess if I mention the year I will be giving away age secrets, but 1959 was a h— of a winter. Snow up the gazoo. While you well know the story, Julie, I will just quickly summarize the ordeal. Because the streets were nearly impassable, arrangements had been made to get Pat (Mom) to the hospital in a Jeep if necessary, owned by the town’s ambulance operator (and Undertaker) who was a good friend. All this, even though we lived only two blocks from the hospital. When Mom reads this, she will surely correct all the details that I have wrongly remembered. Anyway, I had had to be gone much of the time making it harder for Mom who also had a young son to care for. You arrived safely after long labor and the Dr. nearly not arriving on time. I was fortunate to be on hand. After a short but successful stay at the hospital, Mother and new Daughter were allowed to go home.

After a couple of days, with me being gone, new complications set in and a return to the hospital was necessary, again through deep snows and ugly weather. I attempted to return to Corydon from Des Moines through gigantic snow drifts, etc. and finally arrived in time to find out that you were going to be okay. Anyway, it was an ordeal for Mom, you and Nana who had come to help out for a few days. Now your upcoming birthday of course reminds me that everything turned out fine and what a joy you have been to us. Also, for me to quit complaining about this lousy weather as it is nothing compared to the winter of ‘59. Now you have your own wonderful family and are also a Grandmother, indicative of a very successful birthday event in 1959. Happy Birthday.