Grandma’s Stories

Sep 11th “GRADUATE and START Collecting MEMORIES”

 

To “Graduate” from the eighth grade – – was a terrific day for me!  “Graduation DAY” was the second  SUNDAY of the month of JUNE – -and this year  1952 – –  that would be the eighth day  – – the second Sunday… and I could finally leave – –  did not have to spend one extra day in a place that –  I did not like and prayed to be able to leave  – – for all the seven years that I was there.

By saying novenas and every special prayer – – that I was informed – – that this PRAYER – will get the results you want – – and never ever was going to happen – – because … what I did not know – – is that  Catholic Charities was collecting my Falter’s pension – – to pay for us  – – collected through the Court system in Saint Louis. In fact  – – they kept collecting my portion of his pension for over a year – – after I left and was living at home with my MOTHER. I have the papers from the Court – – and they never  reimbursed my MOTHER – – for those funds – – that is called CHARITY.This PHOTO of my PARENTS with my  younger brothers, TOMMY on the left and DENNY is between DAD and MOM. This was in the Fall – – getting colder – – nothing like having a PHOTO of the front of the building – – and before the changes were made to the entrance area.Do we look like “ANGELS” – we just made our FIRST COMMUNION – – and had to have our pictures taken. We are eight and seven and six years old – and  all in “WHITE” could have passed for “SAINTS” that day!

Only if…  you  are old enough – – will you remember that  –  – that there was a “FAD” going on – – that of having a “POODLE SKIRT” – – and here I am. My Mother knew … that I would like one…so she bought me this skirt and brought it  with her on this “VISITING SUNDAY” and of course my Aunt IRENE made the blouse,  that I have on – – to go with this “POODLE SKIRT”  – so I feel good for this day – – but  – – had to turn these new clothes in – – and they were not suitable for everyday wear – – so I did not get to wear them any more – – where they went – probably to GERMANY – – as there were NUNS in GERMANY  – and lots of clothing went there – – WWII left lots of people there in need – – and this order of NUNS came from GERMANY.  In fact…  there were  kids who could speak German – and it was taught  in the ORPHANAGE  – – before I came to this home.

Something different… in the boys’ wear – is the “KNICKER BOCKERS” that my brothers are wearing – never saw these until coming to this  ORPHANAGE – – and – –  as there were lots of donations  – – of used clothing – and  – in those days – – well…  who would see you and who cares – at least you have something on.

In this  PHOTO with my PARENTS – – looks like  DENNY is still a little taller than TOMMY – – but by the TIME…  that TOMMY  was in eighth grade  – when  DENNY and I had already left – – TOMMY shot up to be  a “six-footer”  in the eighth grade – his legs were too long for the little “class room desk” – – I have something from way back  in those days – – TOMMY’s comment – do not remember how he described his discomfort – – but he is NOW the tallest of the three of us kids.

I say us… “KIDS” because – after a certain age… I think that “KIRK DOUGLAS” said at age “70” – – you start all over  – – it is like being in “FIRST GRADE”  again – – it’s FUN  — for the rest of your YEARS  – here!

Posted in Childhood, Grand-Children, Grandma, Today and tagged "Mickey McLaren" -" herself", "Poodle Skirt DAY", McClarren Familywith 1 comment.