Dreamy Days

As we come upon Spring...as it Sprungs, or is that Sprangs? hehe....Anyway.
This time of Year is Bittersweet to me. It is my favorite time of the
year, the time of newness, rebirth, proof of Life going on.

As you know from other writings, it is bitter as well because my Family
lost our dear Wife and Mother in May 2003. Her birth month as well as her
mothers. The month after mine, almost to the day. Several months
after my brother George(February 19), and Jim (March19). Her illness
began on my Dad(Sheldon Junior)'s Birthday on the 25th of March.
My Dad's brother Don's Birthday is in June as was their Dad, Sheldon Senior,
June 14. I have forgotten Don's actual Birthday, will have to ask someonethat. I know they always would celebrate them at the same time, always
around Easter....so you can well see why it is Bittersweet.

I remember growing up when we lived in Missouri, it was one of the
favorite times of the year because my Grandparents from Iowa,
Grandpa Cecil and Grandma Oma would come down to visit us, or in
later years, we would go up to visit them. Those visits were not
very often, as the distance was so far. It would take about 7 or
8 hours in those earlier days because the roads were so winding.
Later on there were some straighter stretches built in so that the world
could move ever faster...as it continues to do.

We would nearly always get to celebrate Easter with our visiting
Iowa Grandparents. That was always fun as they always brought us wonderful
goodies. Things my parents could not afford. I think they really loved
showering us with gifts. I certainly understand that now as we do
that with our two Grandsons, Tyler and Hunter. There were Toy Pedal
Airplanes, Wagons, various Easter Baskets, always brimming with
candy and toys. I still to this day do not understand why my parents
always felt bad about those gifts. I still remember the clothes
Mom made us...we were always "spiffin" in our homemade clothes.
She was the one who felt that we were poor, we children never did.
I have asked both Jim and George and they agreed with me.

One special gift one Easter that we received were pet Bunnies.
I could not believe that they brought those Rabbits clear down
to us in their car! My Grandad always prized his vehicles and kept
immaculate care of them. So, for him to do such a thing really
did prove how much he loved to bring us exciting gifts! I wonder
how my Grandma talked him into it? I bet that was one heated
conversation! My Grandmother pretty much wore the pants in their
Family, at least as far as I can remember. If she said it, it got
done. My Grandfather was a Romantic married to a Practical. He would
always buy her expensive, loving gifts. She always put them in
a box or cupboard and never very often wore them. She did not
want anyone to think she was flaunting their well being. I would say
Wealth, but I do not think they were really wealthy. They always
were able to dress nice, and Granddad loved dressing her in
beautiful clothes. I remember looking in her closet and not believing
all the wonderful clothes in there. She would let me play Dress Up
in them! I remember the smell of that Closet. Not Musty, but a smell
of perfume and leather. She had several Delicate hats which later in
her Life, she began to wear often. She had a Fox Stole! It was kinda
creepy to me, but I knew it had been expensive to buy. I wonder
if she ever wanted a Fur Coat? I don't remember seeing one of those
in there. She probably was too practical to want one. I have inherited
most of her remaining jewelry. I do not know if I got all of it or
where it went if I didn't. I have several of her rings though,
and although they aren't really worth a lot of money, they mean
the world to me just seeing the history of wear on them. I prize
them very much. I also have some of my Mother's rings. I regret
that she always wanted Dad to buy her a decent wedding ring. He
tried, but I think she always wanted that but never asked for it.
She told me one time that she did so. I think she regretted it too.
Dad was a Practical....to a fault. Too many days of being so poor
instilled it into him I think. He loved Mom beyond words or writing,
but that is one thing that I would suppose he never knew because
she never said a word.

I remember having Easter egg hunts every Easter as well. Wherever
we were, whether at our home or visiting Family. That Easter Bunny
was just as wise as Santa. I always wondered if they used the same
list. :)

I remember the grass turning green was always a first sign of Spring
soon to come. That and the Robins returning. That song is always so
welcome to me. Spring always comes earlier in Missouri that it does
in Iowa. The temperatures are usually a bit warmer about a month
sooner there. I say this as in the past. Nowdays I believe they are
nearer the same time. Missouri seems to get more weather like we used
to here. More Snow storms than ever back then. A Snow with much
accumulation was rare there. Now they seem to get almost as much
Snow as we do here.

This Spring is also made sweet by enjoying time spent with our
Daughters and Families. Having people who care for you, celebrate
with you is so wonderful. The two Grandsons growing so fast also
make Spring more Springlike. The Joys of spending time with them
and doing fun things is time well spent.

My Health concerns are improving. I am responding to the medicines
and will have a good checkup at my Surgeon's office tomorrow, I feel it!
I have lost 60 pounds since I realized when Tyler was a baby that it was
time to fix me. I could not change the past or my reaction to it. I
could not go back and make amends for things that should have been done,
but I know now that I can only move forward. I have to take care of me
and what is to come now....a rebirth of myself as well as the Spring.
I LOVE the newer me. I know I am worthy of this change, I deserve it, I deserve to brag a little and to celebrate Life! I almost lost that...so I am doubly thankful.

Well, Dear Folks, My hands are hurting from typing and other chores,
so I will bid you adeiu till the next time the writing bug tells me
to get in touch with you again.

Keep your sights on today. Enjoy it, don't waste time worrying about
tomorrow. It will be here way too soon!

Sleep Well, rest your weary Soul, and be as good as You can.
Love you, and hug yourself and someone you Love today.

Katie