“It was the BEST of Times, and…”

“and…  The Worst of Times for the  McClarren Family!”

This PHOTO has seen better days, but I am so glad and LUCKY to even have it. When you consider the number of moves from one house to another –  the packing of “stuff” and not knowing really what is being packed with what –  and, will these items stay together safely – and are they even connected  – should I want to look for something?

When you  move – – the last thought that you have on your mind is, “Am I organizing these items correctly  and then  listing on the out side of the box –  just exactly what is in this box?”  So far, in my LIFE, I have not done that –  and in having others help you pack,  for the big  move –  they are just stuffing  “stuff”  in to empty boxes – then taping them shut  – and,  no one will ever know  –  where are the Photographs and the boxes of good pictures, that will need some extra special care!

Tomorrow is the 25th of September  and is Mom’s BIRTHDAY and this PHOTO has all of us –  just as HAPPY as we could be –  it was a Visiting Sunday!    ***** “HAPPY BIRTHDAY  MAMA” *****

From the left is,  Tommy  – Mary Ellen – Denny, Jr. and MOM with our brand new baby sister, “EVE KAREN” –  in her arms.  “KAREN” was a twin and her sister’s name was “KATHLEEN’ – each twin weighing in at “eight and a half pounds” – and our MOTHER only a small “five foot” person. Things just did not work out too well in this situation.  Mom had to stay off her feet, so in the fourth month  of her pregnancy,   we were temporarily placed in the German St. Vincent’s Orphanage  – to last for approximately six months?

The babies were just too large, and “KATHLEEN” being  the first to be born, had a crushed lung. In those days, they may or may not have had what it takes to save  Kathleen’s life – so she did die that first week of LIFE and was buried at  Calvary Cemetery  a Roman Catholic cemetery located in St. Louis, Missouri.

Today,  in Heaven there is a big BIRTHDAY PARTY going on as most of the FAMILY is up there – and, I am betting that, they are having more FUN there, than they ever did  – down here!  Finally, when it is over down here – – and you have been  looking forward to the time that you will be in HEAVEN – –  You can rest assured that  – – everything will be so much better than you could have ever expected – – and you will have our Almighty Creator being there  the KING of KINGS  and all of your DREAMS,  have  the best of endings!    D.V.


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“Mama has three Angels”

This is May of 1946 – – only seventy-two years ago and this  is what we three “Angels” looked like!

Just looking back at this old PHOTO – – It almost seems that the way we are looking is how “Angels” would look  – just stand still – – do not think of anything at all – because,  TODAY – You three children belong to the Almighty Creator, your Heavenly Father and He will  guide you on the road that you are to take – – if you will but listen to HIS directions – from this day till the day that HE calls you HOME – to be with HIM for all eternity! 

From the left is DENNY, Jr., Mary Ellen, Tommy and we are standing in front of the “Lady of Lourdes, Grotto on the west side of the German St. Vincent Orphanage – after having just made our “First Communion” with several other children in the First and Second Grades of School.

 This was a “Visiting Sunday” and our Parents were here for all of this – – and since this was all “NEW”  to us three, we were just statutes standing still and not moving,  until told  what and where  and how to do whatever – – this is probably, the one day of the year – we spoke very little – listen – and did exactly as directed to do!

My Parents did not know to bring a camera for this Visiting Day – – and just by “LUCK”  some other Parents that had cameras – – were willing to take extra PHOTOS and send to my parents these wonderful PHOTOS!

If we were not standing in front of the “Saint Bernadette, statute” you would have seen  something     like the above  – – but, not in color – – as far back in 1946 – – I do not believe that they had color photos – – may have, but I never saw any. At least not with the camera that my Parents had.

When the next year came around,  we were dressed similar to the above PHOTOS – – all in white again and this was for the “Conformation Ceremony”.

Before this  “Conformation” we were all reading and learning about different “SAINTS” – – so as to pick a name for ourselves – – a Saint that had done something that would influence our future lives in a similar way and watch over us – – if the Almighty thought that was necessary?

For one of the “HOLIDAYS” prior to the “CONFORMATION” we saw the “movie” called “Song of Bernadette” and that was really some story and LIFE for little “BERNADETTE”  –  a real struggle but,  she made it – to  “Sainthood”  and my Mother even  purchased   that  book –  but, since I  had seen the movie –  hate to say  it, “I  just never  took  the time, to read the book!”

My  class mate “Stella Santoyo” and my self,  were the only two  girls that took the Conformation name of “Bernadette!”

Since this was about  us little  “Angels” – just thought for  some  future  reference  – – at least for myself – -would have something about real “Angels” – – see below.   D.V.

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Seven angels or archangels are given as related to the seven days of the week:Michael (Sunday), Gabriel (Monday), Raphael (Tuesday), Uriel (Wednesday), Selaphiel (Thursday), Raguel or Jegudiel (Friday), and Barachiel (Saturday)

What are the nine orders of angels?
First Sphere
  • Seraphim.
  • Cherubim.
  • Thrones.
  • Dominions or Lordships.
  • Virtues or Strongholds.
  • Powers or Authorities.
  • Principalities or Rulers.
  • Archangels.

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“Yesterdays’ Scooter and Today’s Scooter”

This is what I call, “Motorcycle Mama Me” on my  very own “Scooter” and,  could I ever move around the area – – faster  than  any ole “Superman” – that I know of!   That is “ME”  with the hair  done up in what they call “Spit Curls” – – sometimes I would have my hair in curls and then,  in some other times, the hair would be  done up in “French Braids” – – my “Aunt Irene Riley” would come over and do the “French Braids” – as she had more patience in doing up my hair.   There he is… “Mr. Wonderful, himself   –  that is my  little  baby brother, “Tommy”  and  as you see him here, he could be at least two and a half years  old.                                                                                                                                                                                  

 

    This is a  much better    PHOTO of us and my                   “Scooter” that could move so fast – – as I had the wings  of   “Mercury on my heels”  – – my Mother said I was always in a hurry and so fast getting around everywhere!                                                   

        

This is  TODAY’s  “Fast Flyer” and he looks  “Cool” – but –

Today… because of “LAW Suits”  that are filed when a young child is hurt in any   which  way – – the young child must be fully protected!

Let’s start with the head – – must be fully covered and protected against any kind of  a fall –  that helmet must weigh more than the child’s head – – and could really be harmful in my book – – there are just too many things that I see – – that are wrong for this type of helmet for that small  size child to have to wear – – and thinking  that he will be protected from damage to the head.

Should this child fall off – HEAVEN forbid,  that happening – –  the arms and legs are so exposed to all kinds of scrapes and bruising – and,  if  falling on gravel – – too much damage to the skin areas, that are just wide open for all kinds of  hurts, including the bones being broken!

The “shoes”  – in my book are not correct for this type of riding – -seem to be, too heavy on the bottom side  – little if any ankle protection – – I feel a higher type boot that would offer more protection  for more of the lower leg area – – as those little legs have a whole lot  of growing  up to do – – and with too much damage,  NOW – –  a lot of HIGH School Sports will be missed due to the weakness incurred in these formative years of LIFE!

“In my opinion, young children should be given better all around guidance in the selection of toys and games that are  made available  to be played  with and in their early years of LIFE – – as we do not know what they  are here to do later on,  in their LIFE – – and we should not have them dis-qualified – – before  they have  had their chance   in LIFE!”

“May the Almighty Creator of us all  – send so many extra   of  HIS “Guardian Angles” to help  all of our  new and younger generation – – since  people  TODAY , are too busy,  to really devote the TIME  necessary for the best  of care – – at all times of the day –  because,   some extra care  just may be needed!     “D.V.”


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“After the PARTY – Start Working”

When you celebrate all week – – that is eating some leftover Cakes and other goodies – – a few extra pounds decide to make their home – – right around your middle section!

So, looks like,  I have to get that old bike out and run it around the neighborhood – – and see if I can drop a pound off – – here and there – -and maybe if   in a few weeks – – be back to the old weight, that I thought was safe for me to be carrying around.

If everyone is like me, just LOVE to have that extra slice of cake and an extra dip or two of the ice cream  (my  big  down fall) – –  just can not say “NO” to the extras that are handed out – – they are so good and they look so temping – – just have to have just that one more little taste – –  what does some one do or say, to STOP!

I remember years ago,  some of my “class-mates” could eat an enormous amount of cake and ice-cream and they never gained a pound. Have not seem them in years – – so I am wondering that – – if that is something some people  can do and  they  have  ‘it’  for their whole LIFE – –  that, they can “over eat” the wrong kinds of food – – and always stay thin?

A very long time ago, at one of  the “seminars” that  our “work group”  attended  –  this “Guest Speaker” started off with  this little  “tid-bit” to get all of us  interested  and  have all  of   us  relaxed for the  starting day , thinking we all needed this  funny but good information.

“Good Morning to all”  “I can see that so many of you are drinking extra coffee – -hoping to wake up and get into the mood for some extra special information to make all of your careers start making more income – – right NOW!   So, this is how I start my day… I have been  doing this for  many years to keep in good shape and to have a very alert mind as soon as I get out of bed.  My first step starts with “ME” running around the “block”  at least “10 times” – – sometimes,  I  will run more times around the block   – – and then,  being highly exhausted –  I bend over –  pick up my “block”   –  put it back under my bed –  go downstairs for breakfast and feel like a new man!” 

Naturally everyone in the room – – had the best ever laugh – – everyone was NOW ready to start the meeting – – knowing that this would be a FUN DAY, after all!

So, the next time,  that  you might be asked if you do any exercising – – You can pass on to them – – all about your personal exercise plan – – about you running around the “BLOCK” every morning,  before you start your day – –  and YOU just LOVE  – – your own personal “workout” plan – – ’cause it is  soooo GREAT!        D.V.


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“How to Safely Light a BIRTHDAY CAKE”

When it comes to “Birthday Cakes”  – – just exactly  – or who would decide – –  the number of candles to put on a cake – – before you start a major fire situation?”

 

   “When, the Birthday cake is for Grandma, how or who does the deciding how many candles would be a safe number to  put on the cake?”                                                                                                                

Is there a standard number of candles that could all be burning brightly – – and not burn up the cake –  and also not start a major fire – – causing a disaster instead  of a pleasant and happy day for all those that just want to have Fun and Games?

The big problem that we were having – – was that some of these candles were  of the kind that keep relighting even after they have been blown out – – and blown out time after time. “Granddaughter Jaime”  had  the sense to grab a coffee cup – -fill with water and grab candles and drop in the water to put out.  I’m guessing,  that she has some of those  “Fireman”  genes from a long distance ancestor – – to be able to think quick,  and act at the same time – –  otherwise we could have  had  a very sad situation on our hands!

Sure glad that we were all ready for something exciting – –  as it was FUN watching the candles re-light and I was running out of  “wind” – – and,  all that I could think – –  “I guess that I will not get my wish – – this time?”

Senior citizens just do not have as much air in  their lungs to be doing a lot of extra blowing – –  just to be blowing – – and I sure do not have what I used to have – – guess I better look for a vitamin that rebuilds the “LUNG” capacity – – so for the next time – – I will be able to blow candles out all day – – if,  that is what it will take to get my wish – – all done with only one breath!

“Thanks for a wonderful week of celebrating and to all that came by and or called – – and,  “Thanks to the Almighty”  for giving to me a wonderful week to be  with Family and Friends – – and another year to work for HIS greater glory and praise – – He is  every thing that we need for LIFE!”    D.V.


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My Birthday Week is almost over”

There is a good reason to celebrate your BIRTHDAY all week and this is why;    “Every year your “BIRTHDAY” lands on a different day of the week and the original “DAY”  that you made your  GRAND ENTRANCE on to this EARTH – – that day only shows up “once” in a “BLUE MOON” – –  meaning that your BIRTHDAY will be here every day of the week, some time, some year, and so we must  “Celebrate”  for a whole week to give honor to each day of the week – –  remembering that some days of the week – – work out better for a “BIRTHDAY PARTY!”   

“WOW” – That was a whole lot of stuff to say –  just to justify having a whole week to celebrate a BIRTHDAY.  This celebrating comes from the earliest of my Birthday Parties –  as far back as I can remember.

My Daddy was the kind of guy that like to do things up in a big way –  and that included him having lots of Food and Drink for the adults that came to  partake in the “PARTY”  for his children. He would have  “tubs full   of ice for the  soda and beer” and then he would cook enough food –  you would think that he was going to feed an ARMY!

For us children, there was a large “play pen”  and we were in it.  So no harm to us –  the center of the attraction and some people would come and blow those “extending horns”   right up and close to the “BIRTHDAY Child” –  we had our own toys to play with –  and the adults were having the best of times –  doing what they do – eat and drink and have so much FUN  –  and now,  that I think about it – I am wondering if we even got some of the Birthday cake?

It sure is FUNNY –  some of the silly  things you will remember,  as you think about  some of your long ago BIRTHDAYS –  some BIRTHDAYS were just too much to do and no FUN – -and then others, were nothing at all prepared –  and  “WOW” –  just more FUN  and to be remembered,  for always!

This year was the best ever BIRTHDAY –  since in addition to the FAMILY,  GRAND- Children,  this year a real  first class  “A#1”  addition was my first “GREAT Grand-son, Lex” –  and to have this special addition to our FAMILY –  makes LIFE feel like “Heaven on Earth” –   that is to me – – can not speak for others –  since there are some in the FAMILY that are no longer here, but,  I still remember them as if they were still here –  but to have NEW babies added to the FAMILY –  that is what  we all LOVE having to remember  –  how the NEW Life replaces the old –  and always more  real good  heart warming memories to pass on!

“Thanks be to our Heavenly Creator, the only ONE to give us  those that will be with us today and  then for tomorrow new  children to build us up –  with the desire to live for the next exciting day and time for the whole FAMILY to gather together!”    D.V.


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