Grandma’s Stories

Feb 16th “Mary Maxwell”

As we are  all,  “getting older”  – we do need to remember – too –   that in our getting  “older” – we do not have a TIME to practice – as “the getting older thing” – just seems to sneak up,  on us all.

Just remember to share this  post,  with your friends and those that you know, that  have some of the  “getting older”  family members – that just may  need,  a good word to cheer them along their way!

“Belated  –  BIRTHDAY GREETING –  TOM McClarren”

Feb 16th “Eve Karen McClarren Scott 73rd BIRTHDAY – TODAY”

Lots of old memories of sister, Karen.

This is the day that  “EVE KAREN” was born – – and her identical twin sister, “Kathleen” only survived a week – – after birth… due to a crushed lung. Each “baby” weighed eight and a half pounds.  That is just too much “baby” to be carrying for  a small frame woman … only five foot tall.

This is “EVE KAREN” age seven (7) and with big bother,  “DENNY, Jr.”  on his GRADUATION  DAY – – celebrating with the all day PICNIC at the German St. Vincent’s Home.

“Here we all are on a “Visiting Sunday Afternoon” – – that is DADDY holding baby “EVE KAREN” – and then … TOMMY, and DENNY, Jr., in the center and MARY ELLEN – – and we are standing in the “Apple Orchard” some of the best green apples…for making “APPLE BUTTER” which we had on the  “HOME” made bread – – everyday.

“Do we look HAPPY – – to be all together – – or what?”

And this last PHOTO is of “EVE KAREN” and her husband “JIM SCOTT” on vacation in “Hawaii”  – – and they are in a Jewelry Shop  – – and with the wonderful smile on her face – – “KAREN” just received some very nice  jewelry  – – and when you receive diamonds  – – –  you really do smile “BIG” for the camera. 

Just could not believe it – – when JIM called me – – to tell me KAREN died just two weeks before her “Fiftieth BIRTHDAY” – – today she would have been “71” – – 

So… here is  to seeing you – – again someday – – DENNY JR., is up there with you, KAREN  – – and…  save a spot for all of  us to be together – – on “CLOUD NINE” – – as I have posted  “PHOTOS”   of DENNY… on his very  ‘own’  “CLOUD NINE” – –  that is a very  “HIGHLY RATED” CLOUD  – – to be on … when you like to float on by – –  – and watch over all the rest of the FAMILY.

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“Remembering our BABY-SISTER… EVE KAREN McClarren”

This PHOTO of  “KAREN ” – – with  big brother, “DENNY”  on the left in the photo – – and  big brother  “TOMMY”  on the right.   I am taking this PHOTO – – on a very  COLD  day – –  for a “visit”  with  our little  sister “KAREN” – – had to go to the “Civil Courts Building” in the downtown  Saint LOUIS area – – as you  can  tell by looking at the background – – You know right where this area is.

“KAREN with  big brother, DENNY – – on his GRADUATION DAY”  “1953”  – – This PHOTO is taken in front of the “German St. Vincent Orphanage Gymnasium” – –  7401 Florissant Road, Normandy, Missouri –  we were in line to get on the “FERRIS WHEEL” – – one of the attractions on the grounds of the  “ORPHANAGE”  to attract lots of Visitors – – to and for this  Graduation-Picnic occasion”.

“If only this Photo would have been in color – – You could see the terrific  shade of  “RED HAIR”  and freckles that DENNY has.”

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“This is with MOM and the three of us… February 1946 – – as our baby sister,  “EVE KAREN  Francisca McClarren” was born on the 16th – – and when “MOM and DAD” took our sister to the  “HOLY NAME CHURCH” to be baptized – –  and  were asked what the baby’s  NAME will be – –  he was told  – – “EVE KAREN” – – the Priest said … “there is not a   “SAINT EVE KAREN” – –   DO you have a DOG?” – – “I  need a  “SAINT’s  NAME” – – – So as not to hold up the ceremony – –  “MOM remembered that  – – “Francisca CABRINI”  was in the NEWS – – as just having been canonized a  “SAINT”  – – so that is  “HOW”   – our sister “KAREN” received her  long and full name. This was an “IRISH PRIEST” and his “IRISH brogue” was so strong  – – you could  hardly  understand  what he was saying – -as the word “DOG” really sounded like “DOGUE!”

“This is “KAREN” with DADDY…. and of course the three of  us  – DENNY – ME  –  TOMMY – – in the area where the “APPLE”  trees were growing – – and every so often one of kids – – would run down and get a handful of  ‘apples’  for friends – -but…  for some of the kids – – they could not eat the green “apples”  they would  get… a good case of the “runs” to the bath-room.”

That “SAILOR” out-fit that  “TOMMY”  is wearing – – is the same  “out-fit” that  “DENNY” wore on his trip to “OHIO”  – – when he was  only “four years old”  – – wrote about that trip a couple weeks earlier – – and posted the news-paper clipping along  – – giving all of the particulars of the   long “trip”  that little  DENNY took … all by himself – – when “DADDY” had to go to  “CALIFORNIA”  to work on the  “NAVY SHIPS”   during WWII – – just some the exciting things that the  “McClarren”  children did during those “hard” times  – – and we  all have  lived  – –  long enough to tell about it!

“Just some of the memories of our little sister, EVE KAREN” – – just good to have a few  old  PHOTOS – –  for a “BACK-up” – otherwise – – no one would believe…  half of  the good old days – – when we were  in the bad times of  a  “WAR” and what  “AMERICANS” all did to help  our “COUNTRY”  WIN…  – – but we  “ALL”   just did what we could – – and always felt good – – for what we were able to do.!”         D.V. 

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““Remembering my sister, Karen”

 –   On the 29th of January  1996  – makes  twenty-three  years since my sister, Karen died.  This was just two weeks before her  50th Birthday and almost  35 years married to her husband, Jim Scott. When one says that LIFE is too short –  must have also experienced  this same thing as someone in the family having everything going for them  – wonderful family  and home and taking vacations to Hawaii – no fear of very long distance flying – and health that was very good. One wonders what really happened?

Is it true that you could be a carrier of cancer and never know it? It would seem to me that there is something – that would call for further attention  –  in the yearly medical exams that one has  – that would surely show up some kind of tell-tale-sign, at least giving someone a small clue that something is brewing inside the body – so that  – we could  start getting better medical exams and  the best of  medical advice. What can be done when you and or a member of the family  – is told that –  they have pancreatic cancer?  The only thing my sister was told, that  – “there is nothing,  that can done – once it is detected?” “Eight to ten weeks and you are gone.”

As you can see in the above picture of Karen and her husband, Jim  – they are very “HAPPY” and having a very good time in “Hawaii!” –  ” I only wish that my sister,   Karen   could have lived  just a little longer?”  D.V.

“Karen” had an identical twin – her name was “Kathleen”  and she just lived a very short time – after being born – so we  do know, that she is in HEAVEN!

Feb 14th “Valentine’s Day for everyone”

“Everyone remembers this old song  – so listen and enjoy!”

and something for the little ones in the family,  that LOVE being read to….

“Have the best Valentine’s Day ever –  start to share LOVE all year long!