“February 29th, 2016…”
“The rest of the STORY…. from February of 1946…”
My younger brothers… DENNY and TOMMY and myself were in the German St. Vincent’s Orphan Home…because my Mother needed a place for us to stay – – while she went to the hospital – – to give birth to our sisters …which were twins… KATHLEEN and EVE KAREN McClarren.
Since we each are a year apart in age – – each of us was in a different grade in school. I was in the third grade – DENNY was in the second grade – – and TOMMY was in the first grade. Also… in those days – – the MOTHER – Superior of the Orphanage would visit each class-room – – when the report cards were to be given out and there was a “REWARD SYSTEM” attached to the grades that you received.
Still…today – – when someone does something – which to me seems to be superior to that which is expected…I always say…”You deserve a “GOLD STAR” on your report card, because – – back in the day – when I was a kid – we received fifteen cents for each GOLD STAR!” So the “GOLD STAR” was given for grades 95 to 100 – – and a “SILVER STAR” worth ten cents was given for grades 90 to 94 – – and the STARS… RED and BLUE were worth five cents and for the grades 80 to 89. So…if you could – – you did put forth the extra effort to earn a few nickles and dimes.
Another occasion…from time to time…”MOTHER ERENTTRUDE ALTHOEFER” (Sister of Christian Charity) would make the rounds to the classrooms and she would enter the classroom with someone at her side that would set up a table with “PRIZES” – – and these were for special recognition. So this is the rest of the “STORY” about the picture frame and picture of the little girl on her knees and the two ANGELS – titled “HER PRAYER” – which when I saw that on display – – wanted it for my baby sister.
During the HOLIDAYS – – my little brother, TOMMY – – was taken to each classroom to recite…”Twas the NIGHT before CHRISTMAS” – and part of his make-up and that is from the day he was born – – – is that of being an “ENTERTAINER” – in that he knows the words of everything and if singing or reciting something… he is on “STAGE” – – hands and face and every movement is full of joy with added flair.
AT that time he had been entertaining everyone and in those days it was like seeing a “LIVE STAGE SHOW” – so TOMMY was allowed to have first pick of all these items that were to be given out as trophies. Since… I had spited the “HER PRAYER” – – knew TOMMY could pick that as his “PRIZE” – I ask him to select that “PRIZE” – and who received prizes after that … who remembers – — I was just so happy that we had the best of gifts – that we could give to our MOTHER when she would come out to see us on “VISITING SUNDAY” – a special gift to hang on the wall above the baby’s crib!
To have a “Guardian ANGEL” is what I grew up with and we always said the “GUARDIAN ANGEL” prayer – – in our morning and night time prayers and I feel it is very important to remember – – that as we go through LIFE – – we need guidance and the ALMIGHTY will send that guidance if we will… but – – only “Ask.” Just today was reading “MATT 18:10” – “for I say unto you – that in heaven their ANGELS do always behold the face of my FATHER, who is in heaven.”
So… with that verse from the BIBLE – I believe that the Almighty is sending us HELP – – if only we will ask? D.V.
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“The Family that “PLAYS” together…”
“Here we are playing together… – how long does a FAMILY – in today’s LIFE frame really stay together???”
“How many times have you heard?” – “The FAMILY that prays together – stays together?”
There are so many things that we can say that the FAMILY – should do and then this positive action will take place! If only we could be so sure of the results – for this action today – to make something in the future – to be the perfect end result! If only that were the case in LIFE?? But – since we each have a different DESTINY – and your choices wold have to coordinate so perfectly with another – to make for a whole FAMILY with so many different roads to follow – – – seems that the FAMILY LIFE – the LIFE of our FAMILY falls short and just does not have a chance – total disaster!!!
Thinking about the destination for each of us – and then add destiny to the mix – If LOVE for one and all were added to the fullest of measure – seems like things would work perfectly – but in this particular FAMILY – a very selfish “monkey” wrench was thrown into the mix – and you know what happens when someone only thinks of their own needs and wants – no mater what kind of mess it brings to the FAMILY???
There is a solution to the situation – that I presented here – so if you want to add your solution and or want me to give you more information – – or possibly – – like the “secret” to solving problems of this sort – just let me know your thoughts ?!??
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“The more you stretch – the taller you get!”
Looks like we are stretching to see who will get taller – faster??? I think that if you stretch your arms far enough each day – soon you will find yourself getting taller?? The reason for all of this stretching is – that by stretching and doing the exercises that require one to stretch – you eventually – move all of those “FAT” cells that are gathering “POUNDS” from the middle of the body to the legs and arms and the parts that make you tall – and before you know it – you could end up becoming a six-foot man?? These are the kind of stories that I told my little brother TOMMY – and would you believe – he grew and grew some more – – to be six-foot and four inches tall!
The year is 1942 and we are – – – that is AMERICA is now in the WWII – and all of us – are doing our part – – for the WAR in our own way – – that is in our own young way, of encouragement! IN the background of this picture you can see the intersection – and when the sirens blew and the searching lights hit the night sky – we would go to that intersection and do our “cart-wheels” and have fun singing all the songs that we knew – like “God Bless America” and “Over There , Send the Word to Beware – that the Yanks are coming – – coming OVER-THERE!” One night during an “AIR – RAID” – we did not have one of the drapes pulled over all the way shut – – as a little “LIGHT” was seen by one of the men patrolling the area – we got a “knock” on the door – and our lights went out and in a hurry – we sure – did not want – – a “BOMB” to hit our house?? “How many are alive today – and still remember – all the thing happening in AMERICA – back when we were having “BLACK-OUTS” – even the BUS SERVICE drove without lights and they maintained their schedule – those were the days – back then???”
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“Well” – “The whole “GANG” is here!”
This is the year of – 1940 – because Tommy is just a baby! In looking through the pictures – that I have – this seems to be the oldest photo of baby, Tommy! These two photos – that I join for this article – must have been taken at different times – since the photos have different borders and on the backs of the photos – there is information indicating – different rolls of film and or maybe different developers??
Since these photos are of our “BABY – TOMMY” – these photos are now 75 years old – and that will be on this FRIDAY the 13th of FEBRUARY! To have your BIRTHDAY on the 13th – you can expect to have “GOOD LUCK” – as everyone that I know – those – who have been born on the 13th – have always been “LUCKY” – that is because, – one plus three equals four – and “four” in numerology is a very good foundation to build your LIFE on!
The photo on the left side is of “DADDY” holding our “BABY TOMMY” – and the photo on the right side of “MOMMY” holding our little “BABY TOMMY” – and then – little Denny Jr. is on the left side in our swing- set with me – Mary Ellen . Since we are not dressed for cold weather – and since Tom’s birthday is the 13th of FEBRUARY – we must be enjoying some – early SUMMER weather?
“Help to make this TOM”S – big day – let’s all start singing “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” to TOM – and wish him many – many more – “HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!”
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“Tom the “CAMERA” is this way!”
“Thomas” – the CAMERA is over here!” “We want to see your face!” “I know that it looks like Daddy is smoking – but he can still talk – without everybody seeing him – even move his lips!!” “If you turn your head toward the camera – and – we can get this picture taking over with – we can go and play – so see if you can turn your head!”
It is hard for me to talk – as you can see that my neck is still swollen some – as Tommy – did have the “MUMPS” and he gave them to me. What Tommy is trying to find out – is – if – he will for sure get to go to CALIFORNIA with DADDY ??? I was going to get to go to CALIFORNIA – but I just come down with those MUMPS that Tommy – so nicely gave to me. “Nothing like a free gift – that keeps you from going with Daddy to California – as he will be working on the ships as a “welder” – this is the years that AMERICA – was doing its part in WWII – and everybody – back then – dd whatever they could – to bring this WAR to an end!
“Daddy sure looks good in that uniform – he was working as a guard – as I have another picture of him standing with the whole group of men – that work for that COMPANY – – and they were having a Company PHOTO made – – a copy given – to each of he men – -at that time.”
“Well – Tom – if you will only – look toward the “CAMERA – we can all start to sing to you??” “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” and many more to TOM!”
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“75 + 76 + 77 = 228”
When you add the ages of these “young” oldies – they average 76 years of age. They sure do look good – it must be – because they are so active – like flying up and down the slide! Sure looks like they have taken possession of the slide – there are no other boys and girls trying to get in – and on this slide – – for – all of the “FUN” – – that these three are having!
I remember – that when these three would get together – and there might be a few others around – that these three would have so much funny stuff to talk about that the laughter in the room – was so loud – and as they would continue to carry on – one of them trying to out do the other – – you could see the ceiling slowing rising a couple feet – – there is something about “contagious laughter” – – that without and hardly – a word – everybody – is getting to feel like this is the best day – that they ever had – – since “Laughter is GOOD MEDICINE!” *****
Do you like numbers?? There is another number associated with the three in the above photo! When you are in the Orphanage – you are assigned a number – whatever belongs to you – must be stamped and or with indelible ink be marked – so that what is your’s – will always be yours and – I am guessing that – you should be able to – depend on receiving your own clothes – but that does not always work – as I personally have a story about that!
Once – you have been given – – your “NUMBER” – – you and everybody knows “YOU” by your “NUMBER” – – as the NUNS would only call “YOU” by your number! So, TOM was number 79 – and DENNY number 78 and lucky me – my number was 91. Through the years – that I was there – and from hearing so many called by their number – there are a lot of the girls and only one boy – whose “NUMBERS” are still floating around in my brain??? ***** “HAPPY BIRTHDAY ***** HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOM” *****
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