Stuff

We seem to collect so much Stuff through the years. Newspapers, cards, cloths, toys and so much more, all boxed up because of their memories and their history, their sentimental value and maybe their worth.

Stumbling on a box of old toys from my childhood, I remembered when kids actually played. Not video games or cell phone apps, but with simple toys and big imaginations. With little metal trucks and cars and fire engines, new adventures would take place everyday.

We look at the toys now, paint, faded with age and use, tires, worn but still intact. Some collect these miniature vehicles, refurbishing them with new coats of pain and new wheels to collect and sell for profit. Others keep them boxed up and hidden away to bring out from time to time to remember, to relive that simpler time of life.

I think it's time I took them out and displayed them for a while. To remember that little boy named Wynn, who spent hours moving mountains, putting out fires and fighting the enemy. Who created his own little world......... and played........

December 1953

Times were lean and my parents were having to spend a lot of time away from each other because of my Dads job.
It's odd reading his words from a time before I came along. I'm learning to appreciate the struggles my parents went through to give us a good life. These are just snippets of letters but I didn't know my Dad wrote much, so I'm already learning a lot. I hope as I post here, it will give new light of days gone by and the families that lived them.

From My Dad

Dear Honey,
I just got back from the show and supper. It's 10:30 now and about time for bed. I can't got to bed early, just can't sleep.

Well my expenses were more for this month than my paycheck, that means it will be pretty bad here. I'm counting my money before I get it again.

I bet you will be running pretty low before I get any to send you. I'm sorry it always has to be that way at a time like this.

I just have this one piece of paper left, so just in case my next letter don't get there in time, I hope you have a very happy new year and I love you very much.

I guess we won't have much fun on new years night but can just have us a new year when we get together again.
Be careful and by for now.

With lots of love,
M

P.S.  I hope you more happiness next year than you've had this year. Tell the kids goodnight for me and tell them I miss them a lot.

While my Dad was traveling a lot with his job in the oil business, my Mom was home with two kids and I was on the way. Daddy always had such a caring heart. I'm learning how hard this must have been for him, away from his family and struggling to make it.

We all go through our struggles in life. As I relive his life, I see where his incredible character came from, his strength and yet his tenderness.  He was a good man, a caring father and loving husband. 

Boxes Of Memories

Since my parents passing, I've contemplated over and over as to what to do with their boxes of memories. Army uniforms and wedding dresses, photos and letters, so many special memories from a time when life was simpler in ways and struggles were a little bit harder as a small town family lived and survived in the 1950's and 1960's.

I thought I would be able to read these letters and toss them a side, but soon realized how much life and history was written in them. My parents always provided us with a good life, but reading from their pages, I realize it wasn't always that easy.

I hope you can see the entries as Whispers From The Past and maybe find a warm place in your heart, remembering your families past as well.......