“This PHOTO… MEMORIES are Forever”
Early 1940’s… Some of the worst of TIMES… America was now entered into the “WAR” and if you were not living then – – you missed out on something – – that is only understandable if you were a part – – and doing your part here in AMERICA – – to help our ALLIES.
In this PHOTO is little TOMMY and ME – – and since we are standing near the steps going to the basement – – only I noticed that I am ready for any quick moves little TOMMY ‘might make’ as he has a tendency to fly down ‘stairs’ – – when he is close to them. On one… MONDAY morning ‘wash day’… my MOTHER was in the basement and the washing machine was running – – and I was down there also to help sort out the wash – – TOMMY was upstairs and near the “trap-door”… where he should not have been – – he called down to us… and in bending and trying to see down the steps – – there he was – – in one fell swoop – – into a pile of dirty clothes – – and with a surprised look. His “Guardian Angel” works over time!
It was also some of the ‘best of times’ – – that is for children and the way that I am standing… reminds me…. these same years that we were in WWII – – something happened at “NIGHT” – – we had “BLACK OUTS” – – of which… has not happened since in AMERICA – –
Who would have thought that ‘air planes’ could fly across the ocean non-stop and loaded with bombs – – fly into the state of Missouri – – but we did need to be prepared and so there were ‘air-raid tests’ and the “Civil Defense” wardens would be walking up and down each and every street – – and if they saw a ‘light’ in your house – – – – they were knocking on your door.
There was one such night – – when we did get a knock on the door – – and the WARDEN calling – – “Turn off the LIGHTS!” – – All of the windows in the house had extra heavy drapes hung – – besides the regular window blinds and drapes covering – – but that one night – – just the smallest of light was seen so then… I just had to go outside to see what the world looked like?
Never before was Saint Louis so dark out side – — no automobiles anywhere at all – not even the “Walnut Park Bus” – – I had to see for myself – – so I stood in the middle of “Carter and Linton” looking both ways – – and not a light to be seen. So… as a little girl – – no traffic – – the center of that street made a real good looking “stage” for me.
Everyone in their homes… I could now do… what I would do during the day on the sidewalk… “somersaults” and “cart-wheels” – – now on the nice wide and open street intersection – – not a chance of running into anything – – just me singing and dancing with a up and over for as long as I wanted – – “WOW” … if only someone could have taken a PHOTO – – to really remember the FUN time I had – – until my MOTHER called and showed up – – Everyone was suppose to be in their “HOMES” for safety sake – – could be shot by the enemy or even bombed. So many reasons… I was given as to why… I should have been in the house.
Posted in Childhood, Grand-Children, Grandma, Today and tagged Mary Ellen McLarenwith no comments yet.
“This BOOK… “ALDRICH DEATH and LIFE!”
This PHOTO is of “Grandma Lulu” as the Grand-children called her – – and she was in her eighties on this PHOTO – – holding newborn, “Grand-son AL” – – and this is in the front yard of our home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The reason for a PHOTO of “Grand-ma Lulu – – is because of her age now and in just five (5) years – – Lee Sr – her son and my husband will be dead – – and in LIFE – – with such a “tragedy” – – staring at us – – we do not know – – and there is nothing in this world that we can do… on this date – – to change anything coming in such a short time – – something that none of us want to be happening … to the FAMILY! **** Today we are all HAPPY ***** TOMORROW… We will all be so very SAD!”*****
When I arrived home – – – from the “FAMOUS BARR” store with the finished and enlarged PHOTO of Lee – done in oil… and so “LIFE-LIKE” – – I had the perfect spot to hang it.
Just the year before Lee died – – we moved back to Saint Louis so that Lee could have another surgery and were in hopes of moving back to Florida – – so we did not sell the house in Florida – – but so many things that we were planing on – – just were not written in our BOOK of LIFE – – so – – so many changes were all new and different for me – – to learn to deal with and make a totally new LIFE change – – whether I liked these changes or not.
So… we have a house – – a split-foyer type – – – the type that in coming into the entry landing area of the HOME – – – from the front door – – you are standing and looking up some steps to the main floor or you can look and see the downstairs area – – to the larger living room area with a very large fire place and other rooms.
BUT… while you are standing in the entry area… to make your decision to go UP or DOWN – – here we are with GRAND-MA Lulu – – and as she looks up – – she sees LEE’s PHOTO – – in such vibrant colors and looking back at her – – as in this PHOTO – – no matter where in the room that you go – – Lee’s eyes are on you.
“Grandma Lulu” almost had a “HEART ATTACK” – – seeing that ‘alive looking’ PHOTO … was almost too much for her and at her age to take. We were all at the FUNERAL and not too long before – – and this was too much. But… until she said told us – – that Lee’s eyes follow you around the room – – no one else had ever made that comment. – – “So I am glad that Lee is still a real part of all of our lives – – and this new piece of “ART WORK” – – sure makes a big and good difference in our lives.
Posted in Childhood, Grand-Children, Grandma, Todaywith no comments yet.
The Original PHOTO”
Yesterday… posted this PHOTO of Lee Aldrich in color. When one compares the ‘one’ with the ‘other’ – – its all the difference of… DAY and NIGHT!
If you have the “TIME” – – click from yesterday’s post… the “PHOTO” in color – – one and back to the other – – and really compare. This suit is changed to a “NEW” suit – – and the same with the tie. Even Lee’s face seems so much more alive. The whole world of color – – used is just the right degree of shading and texture — Just have to give the Almighty full credit for having this PHOTO turn out to be a really wonderful remembrance of the Love of my LIFE – – since he needed to leave “EARTH”… too soon.
Since the boys were young and I knew that without seeing their FATHER each and every day – – it would be too soon and they would never have a real good idea of what he looked like. So… I stared going through all the PHOTOS that I could find – – to find that “one”… that – – I would like and would be something the boys would see daily – – fixing a permanent reminder… of what their FATHER did look like – – when he was here with us.
With my envelope of PHOTOS – – I went to the down town “FAMOUS and BARR” store – – as that was “the” store our FAMILY did the majority of their shopping.
In the “PHOTO” department – – I had explained what I was… IN HOPES OF HAVING THEM DO WITH ONE OF THESE – – small photos… maybe making a miracle happen – – because what I had to work with – – – well the selection was pitiful – – – to say the least.
Sometimes in Life… when you want HEAVEN – – but you just know it is not here on EARTH – – I almost thought that this was not going to turn out to be what I really want – – but evidently… the Almighty must have sent some of his “ANGELS” to work with me that day – – I could not believe – – the price that I was quoted was what I could work with – – and this PHOTO… they told me would be the best of all those that I had for them to work with – – and they would enlarge this small PHOTO to the best and as large as possible size – – that I would be very “HAPPY” with the results.
When I returned to “FAMOUS BARR” store to see the final and finished “work of art” – – because that is what “it” is. They had a couple of frames selected to view the PHOTO in – – but the one that they had on – – just did wonders – -and I was not about to make a change. In walking out of the store – – I think that I was walking on “Cloud NINE” – – I could hardly wait to get HOME and hang it up for all to see – – for the whole world to view and admire.
Posted in Childhood, Grand-Children, Grandma, Todaywith no comments yet.
“1/5/67 – Nightmare remembered”
“Detective Lee Aldrich”
Who in the world – – would ever have thought – – that taking this PHOTO of “LEE ALDRICH” – – just for fun – – would be the one PHOTO that would be used to remember him by – – for the rest of my LIFE.
Some times the things that we do in “FUN” – have already been markers in your LIFE – – that will later end up being lasting memories – – “MEMORIES” that you and your children will have – – for a remembrance of a LIFE … that you may have wanted – – but – – when “one” LIFE is cut short – – there will only be that small token “FUN” memory to last…forever.
After one surgery … too many – – Lee had all that he could take – that last night was a night-mare – the first POLICE OFFICER to arrive – – his oxygen tank was empty – – then the ambulance came – – took us to the hospital – – the neighbors had taken the two little ones to their home – little Al always called them, “MY FRIEND” and they so liked him – – always taking him places with them.
At the hospital – – they immediately grabbed LEE – – rushed off to where – – – – were they really trying to save him – – it was the middle of the night – – seems that we were the only ones there that night. Someone came out to see me – – “We just could not save him” – – “There has to be something that you can do” – – “We did everything” – – “You could try harder” – – We did everything – – – you do not want him to be a “vegetable” – – I do not care – – – just so long as he is with me forever – – – I can take care of him” – – “YOU are too young – – – and it would be too difficult for you to do” – – -“To this date – – I do not believe that they really tried to save him!”
Posted in Childhood, Grand-Children, Grandma, Today and tagged Lee Aldrich Sr.with no comments yet.
“How did YOU know it was EASTER”
“EASTER” in the Orphanage…
This PHOTO is of the “Boys Dining” room – – if the eldest in the FAMILY was a ‘BOY’ – – then that FAMILY of children had their meals in the ‘BOYS DINING ROOM’ – – and that same info applied to the ‘GIRLS’ and their Dining room was just as you see here – – but down the corridor.
A year or two before “GRADUATION DAY” for me – – a change was made for the McClarren Family to leave the ‘GIRLS Dining room’ and have a table in the above PHOTO – – the ‘BOYS’ Dining room – – and our table was at the far corner of this PHOTO – – the last table on the right – – near that last window along the front wall of the building.
A class mate of mine, Gail Porter who had older brothers, was already in this dining room and their table was by the exit door – – which was at end of the inside wall – – so we were in conversation – – whenever – – and usually – – when we were not to be talking – – and would continue on – – no matter what – – causing ‘grief’ to – – “SISTER MICHAEL” who would so often say to us – – “YOU – – ‘two’ will still be talking … ‘forty years’ – – after you are both dead and buried!”
I think we only talked so much – – because we knew we could … and what would happen – “Sister Michael” liked both of our FAMILIES” – –
So how did we know that it was “EASTER SUNDAY” in the ORPHAN HOME? Everyone knows that the “EASTER BUNNY” delivers eggs – – well – – for “EASTER” for our breakfast… and in each child’s cereal bowl would be two “EASTER EGGS” – – served with a piece of jelly bread and a cup of milk. “so..” you will say – – “What’s… so different about that?” – -“That is how we knew it was “EASTER” – – as that was the only day of the year – – that we would even see an egg – – much less have “two” for breakfast!”
Posted in Childhood, Grand-Children, Grandma, Today and tagged "McClarren - Porter"with no comments yet.
“EASTER Remembered in PHOTOS”
When the McClarrens lived in “Pine Lawn” and everything was celebrated with “Gusto” – – since it was mostly for the adults – – but as small children – – we sure did not have any complaints – – we were always having Fun – – my DAD even built… for us a small in the ground “swimming” pool. In this first PHOTO is DENNY Jr., with a small stuff toy.
In this PHOTO is MARY ELLEN and baby, TOMMY and with “EASTER” baskets – – in hand – – just so we know the HOLIDAY.
The above PHOTOS were in the early 1940’s – – and the next is… NOW in Fort Lauderdale and in the late 1950’s and on “EASTER SUNDAY” morning – – – as after having been in CHURCH – – we decided to have BREAKFAST in a Restaurant that was not one that we operated – – something different for a change. The real reason was for the benefit of baby, Al – – to see what he thought of … when meeting a great big “BUNNY RABBIT” – – that is Donald Aldrich holding “AL’s” hand – – and brother, Lee – – just taking in all of the surprise – – at first “AL” could hardly feel too comfortable … with the giant size animal?
So NOW… this PHOTO was just before leaving for CHURCH – – since we were going to eat out after CHURCH – – did not think anyone would be in the mood – – – when returning … for PHOTOS with baskets?
This PHOTO next is years before – – because this is baby, Lee – – and for “EASTER” – – I had decided to surprise the three boys with a couple of … “LIVE BABY CHICKS” and this PHOTO gives everyone an idea of how some “chicks” will react – – when always being pursued by a small child – – that has no real sense as to the struggle for LIFE – – it must find – – just to survive- – being a… “play” toy!
The next PHOTO is two PHOTOS – – spliced together in the front of the Church – – the left side is DONALD holding LEE’s right hand and ME holding the other – – and if you will observe carefully – – you will notice that the dress that I am wearing – – is the very same dress that my “AUNT IRENE RILEY” had made for me – – to graduate in – – from the “eighth grade” – – took the sleeves off and used a light cream color of dye – – so that – – the dress would be suitable for SUMMER wear.
On the right side of the above PHOTO – – that is still DONALD holding baby Lee’s hands – and TOM the oldest brother is standing with the dark color trousers, and since I am taking this PHOTO… and not in this one – – do have my husband, Lee – – standing to the right of his son, TOM – – – – since LEE is tall and thin – – you may not be able to clearly see or notice that – – that is him.
“HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT???” “We are early for CHURCH – – sometimes not an easy thing to pull off – – and one other thing – – BACK then living in FLORIDA – we never locked the doors of the house – – some years later when we were all going to be together… for a long trip to ST.LOUIS – – we had to have a “KEY MAKER” make keys for us – – but then… when we arrived back HOME – and after the month away – – could not find the new “KEYS” to get into the house – – and LEE – – then had to use his magic “KNOW HOW” to get a door open.”
“HOW the TIMES… do… change???”
Posted in Childhood, Grand-Children, Grandma, Today and tagged "EASTER TIMES"with no comments yet.