“The 25th is here …Celebrate with MOMMA”
“MOM will be celebrating another BIRTHDAY”
“Remembering “MAMA” reading to us”
When we … children in the 1940’s sre were “LUCKY” – to have a “MAMA” – that would take some time to read – as in those days – there was no “TV” to park your children… in front of… for hours.
WE had in our Living Room… a “Davenport” – that is a sofa that would open up – into a very large bed – but during the day and with no company and or relatives from OHIO, that would spend a week or so with us – we would all sit in a row – with our MOM in the middle and she would start to read to us.
One extra special thing about my MOM – was that she would change her voice… to indicate a child speaking or whatever the story would require.
Another thing when reading to us… there was no word that she could not say and every story would come to real, LIFE in our minds… as we could see exactly what the “author” of that book wanted us to see and to really understand fully, the whole story.
The one story that… I really remember more so than any other is of the little “Hiawatha” … especially when MOM would be reading…
A much-anthologized excerpt begins:
“On the shores of Gitche Gumee, / Of the shining Big Sea Water, / Stood Nokomis, the old woman, / Pointing with her finger westward, / O’er the water pointing westward, / To the purple clouds of sunset.”
and as this was coming to LIFE – those poems of “LONGFELLOW” … just found a permanent place in my brain … so that when I had my children and they were very young…
I also bought the same book… “HIAWATHA” … and my MOTHER also read the same story… just the way she read it to me and my brothers, and to this day… I still have the book, as worn out as it is… it is a real treasure to me!
For those that want an idea of this great story of little “HIAWATHA” – – have it added right here, for you … listen if you like?
With out … looking for my old copy of “HIAWATHA” the above cover… take a look and see if you also have this wonderful book for children, too.
The pld above cover … sure does look just like the cover of my old 50 years and or more … keep “safe” and a “keepsake” book.
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“Just have to Celebrate Momma’s Birthday TODAY”
“Little Marie Brady… BIRTHDAY…TODAY”
Number… 13… is LUCKY – – for some people?
Would “YOU” consider being LUCKY – – if you were the – – “13th” child to be born in an IRISH FAMILY?
Here sits “Little Marie” with a very surprised look – – probably wondering – –
“What in the world is all of this commotion for?”
“I’m sitting here… all dressed up like (Lady/Mrs.) Astor’s pet horse” .
Just being the second girl in the BRADY FAMILY and fifteen years younger – than my older sister, Irene- – what a LIFE – – has already been mapped out.
Two of “Little Marie’s” older brothers were already married – and when a FAMILY with lots of cousins – so many were thinking that surely … this ‘new baby’ has to be one of the older sons’ – surely … Mrs. Thomas F. BRADY is ‘too old’ to still be having more children?
But in those days – lots of children – meant wealth – and you may have to be wealthy – since… that is a lot of mouths to be fed.
With all the history of the “SMART-BRADY” Family – no one really knows exactly why we all are a part of a much bigger “plan” that was destined for our LIFE here on Earth – but – it is our duty – to find… seek and search out the “TRUTH” in this LIFE – and just exactly … what is the ultimate “PLAN” for believers… to follow.
When one stops to think … about LIFE – – “Your very OWN LIFE” – there are lots of roads – leading to places that seem so right…
But– one must “STOP in their tracks” – and take some time to investigate – where does all of this lead me – to what end will I find in TIME – is that the “reward” that was promised by our CREATOR – am I on that narrow path that may be hard and also very difficult at times – so very at hard times – here and there – but with the TRUTH – we must just continue on with the GOOD WORD.
“Happy Birthday to the best “MOM” …
…I know YOU are in Heaven”
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“A Song with SILLY WORDS to HEAR”
Sometimes when I am on the telephone with someone … and we somehow or the other get to talking about something that I remember from a hundred years ago or so…
I just start to look up on the computer … those few words that are making me think about something so silly… but without their knowing… and before we are finished with the importance of the “CALL” to me…
I will say …
Do not hang up just yet… I have something, that you may like… after you hear it!
And just so fast… I press the button and then… we get to hear the above old song…
… from way back when I was a kid … during those days of WWII …. and I do believe back then… all the children of very young age knew more songs…
…the whole song with all of the words … and could sing so well and so often… it was like magic!
So… after that phone call…
I was in the mood to hear other versions and see for myself … if just maybe for a few minutes… I was that same olé little girl, that I was back then, during those WWII days when everybody was singing this song and just having so much fun… with the words… especially the little kids… as they like silly stuff to make them happy while singing!
Today… there are so many that have an instrument and can play if… and when, they have the music sheet available and the time … and the most important ingredient available… some small children… to play and sing some silly words of this song in such a way, that the small fry children… just want to hear this song over and sung over so many times … as they like the mellody, and at the very same time are trying to figure out those words!
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“Birthdays Do Come To A Happy END”
“It is in… the BIRTHDAY BOOK…”
………………the rest of the card… inside……. follows…………
“I knew… what I was doing…
when I … gave My HEART …to YOU!”
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
“Is this the beginning or the end…
to … my… BIRTHDAY…WEEK??”
How do you like a BIRTHDAY Card…. that lets you know that your children… LOVE YOU…
In addition to the FAMILY LOVE…
the card listed each and every animal that my son has and … each of the animals had a word or two…
to be added … to making my BIRTHDAY – just one of the best yet and – who knows – when…
we will all share lots of extra LOVE – in the “near by” – here-after – this “senior citizen” is sometimes forgetful – and…
I catch myself saying to myself…
“NOW” … what am I… here…after…???
Do not forget to always share – the most important thing that we have here on earth, and that is our LOVE – for each other!
My THANKS… to all… for all the cards… gifts … and the sharing of all of those meals… for and on … the big day – for this old GRANDMA – that BIG G…herself! xoxoxoxoox ME…
****** Just have to add something that I especially like *******
“Ladies and gentlemen, my mother thanks you, my father thanks you, my sister thanks you, and I thank you!”
(Borrowed from…)
By 1894 George was selling his songs to publishers and The Four Cohans were commanding $1,000 a week, a tremendous sum in those days. George had a famous line at the end of each show that became his trademark; “Ladies and gentlemen, my mother thanks you, my father thanks you, my sister thanks you, and I thank you!”
“Just feel that all of America should hear more often and sing this song… that is being sung, as the soldiers are marching and George M. Cohan joins them, and then being asked… why he is not singing?
“A most powerful song”
“Start Singing”
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“When You receive an Invitation… DO GO”
“Did “YOU” – miss out…”
Alyssa – MOM – Jaime – having FUN at Saint Vincent HOME – Picnic
Another Photo taken in the CHAPEL…
L to R… Alan – Alyssa – G.M ALDRICH – Jaime…
Can you think of anything better …
… than to share with your grand-children – the Orphanage – that you lived in “seventy” years ago… and still standing – and as always – there are children who will need a HOME – away from HOME…
Did you ever think – that you would attend a “PICNIC” that was given for all … of the old “GRADUATES” – of the …. German St. Vincent Orphan Home…
… and them… you meet a girl from your own graduating class of 1952???
That was… only some 63 years ago… when you – both were young – and so full of vim and vigor to start a new LIFE – never gave a thought of conquering the world …
… but I do know that – I have heard that term used in some speeches – when something is planned – and no one knows who will be there – what a joy it is – to find that – you are welcomed with friendship and someone who really does remember you – from way – back, and when!
L to R That would be “ME” and standing in the middle is – Theresa Wieland-Eckerl and her husband.
The best part of meeting Theresa – was that she remembered me… so well – that she went into great detail about one of our class assignments …and was so exact – in what I had said – in front of the class – for that special “CLASS” assignment.
I just LOVE when someone is really paying attention to what is going on – and then can remember it so correctly – almost… and as if – it all just happened… yesterday!
“I hate to… but…”never the less”… still have to – say this…”
“But those who received the “INVITATION” and did not show up on SUNDAY – the 27th – missed out on a real good time!”
“WOW” and another “WOW”
St. Vincent’s Home Picnic, invitation said to bring your FAMILY…
… so this photo has some of my FAMILY!
This is my son, Al and his two daughters… which are my “GRAND-DAUGHTERS” – that is “JAIME” on the left… and then on the right is “ALYSSA” –
and what better word than “WOW” can I say???
Oh.. well – how about another “BIG WOW!”
We, all of us… had FUN and enjoyed everything and meeting everyone that… did show up – and our rating – just to let you know …
that is for those who did not show up… it was “Excellent” – “TOP DRAWER” and you might just say “OFF THE CHARTS!”
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“Share and Share and Share Once More”
Just have to talk about “Birthday Cakes” and check out this one that I made for my son, AL… and it was a souper duper one… if I say so myself!
When “Senior Citizens” have a “BIRTHDAY”… now, I am referring to myself… only, because at last… I can claim status in that category… as those years just seem to accumulate… when you are going through all of those “extra” many years … at least, that is what I am being told!
My very good LUCK is to have a “Birthday” on the very same day as another family member… and that family member is just so much younger than… “Poor ole ME!”
So… just in case you and your family have a similar situation… you may want to follow what we did this year… and you may just like it…. if you also like lots of “CAKE!”
Since the “BIRTHDAY” is on a week day, when most have to work… we were “all” of the families … invited to one of the family homes for a “Sunday Birthday Party” for the both of us … that will be getting just one year older in the next week.
As per usual… we each had some “Cake” to take home and enjoy as we wait for another day, that being the correct “Birthday date” to hit the calendar!
The “13th”… as LUCKY as it is… shows up… just like clock work… and we each have a “Birth DAY Party” at home with family.
Then … two days later ” we” the “Birthday people”… have another “BIRTHDAY PARTY” at the home of the youngest of the two “Birthday” people…. and you did guess it right!
The most exciting thing about having a “BIRTHDAY party” is that extra special “BIRTHDAY CAKE!”
It seems… that I may have said out loud, a long time ago… that I like good “CAKES”.
So… at each and every party that I attend… it just seems that I do enjoy a nice size piece of cake and a very nice serving of the Ice Cream, and have never ever said… that I could not take an extra piece or two home with me … when was leaving.
Now that I have had… all of that extra “CAKE and Ice Cream”… I am so happy to say …. I have done a very job and finally finished each and every piece of cake, and now I feel like … I have jumped up one extra year… celebrating my “BIRTHDAY” so many extra times this year… maybe, I could even say… that I am even older than I look!
Just have one more thing to add… I do believe that eating all of that extra special cake and ice cream does help you, to strive to do your best all year long… so that you now have all of the extra energy you need… to do all of those things you have been forgetting to do … over those so many long and glorious years… it just seems like “FUN” now … when you do accomplish lots of extras… that you never gave a second thought to… before!
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