And.. the final four pages of "One tough broad".. More moving and then, finally, a permanent home... acceptance and gratitude!!

[Micheal_R]

In her life , Alice mother had no small measure of difficulties.... But arrive at the final home, still full of gratitude is amazing.

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Calm seas

Micheal

 

[Micheal_R]

Alice's mother was a tiny slip of a woman... but with more fortitude that an army platoon. She has my eternal respect and thanks for bringing Alice into the world and raising such a tough daughter. Most all here know of Alice's problems [other than me, I mean], and I know she gets a lot of her strength from that incredible woman.

And this is funny that I respect her in a way. When she first met me, she despised me..... this went on for a great many years. Her first choice was for Alice to marry a fellow called Bob Raymond [mentioned in the diary]....... and I was a very poor second choice.

Even when she came to live with us after her husband died, this acrimony went on. It was only after she had a very mild stroke, that her whole attitude changed. From then on, I was her favourite.... go figure!! I guess that the stroke made her forget why she hated me!! :

calm seas

Micheal

 

[Kelley (Texas)]

For a couple of days, this story kept me busy thinking about life back in those days...I should say survival back in that time in history. Do you have any more "writings" hidden away that you could post? This story also brought back some memories about some stories that my folks told me when I was a young boy. I suspect that these writings will stay with me for a long time. Mike, thanks for taking the time to post this, it was most appreciated. Kelley (Texas)

 

[Kelley (Texas)]

My Mother-in-Law did not like me until the later years...I was also not her first choice. She considered me to be a crude cowboy and let me know it too! In fairness, I must confess that I often went out of my way to act crude around her for the sole purpose of being a burr under her saddle blanket. I think the root of the problem was that she could not control me and that irritated her. She was a strong willed lady and if you knew her background, you could understand why she was a controlling type of person. Her father left the family when she was twelve years old, went to Oklahoma and never came back. As such, her mother worked while Betty raised her brothers and sisters. She did not have a normal childhood because of the responsibility of looking after her brothers and sisters. I could probably write a story or two about Betty and how we just did not see eye to eye on many things, but that is in the past now, best forgotten. What is important is that in her later years, we became good friends.

Mike, this story that you posted was just fantastic and I do hope that you folks save it in a safe place. Again, thanks for taking the time to post the story, I really enjoyed reading it. Please have a great day! Kelley (Texas)

 

[Micheal_R]

That they would stay in the family. They recount some of his early life [where he was born in Beaumont, Tx] and subsequent emigration to Canada.. That part is okay. However, then it goes into some of his wartime efforts.. Those are really rather unpleasant ,at least from a perspective of this many years[he was a commando... so you could imagine... but you lived through similar episodes in Southeast Asia so imagining is not required]

The promise was given... and will be honoured.. When the time comes, I will hand the writings and Fairburn Sykes knife over to my son.

Many thanks for taking the time to read this diary. It is well stored and a treasured memory of times gone by.

Fair winds

Micheal

 

[Wayne in BC]

that so many people moved around the country to find work, they were the ones who truly built the country, not unlike the first settlers.
Fine series Mike and thank you!

 

[Kelley (Texas)]

It is north of Houston, Texas near the Gulf Coast...a beautiful city with a population of maybe 125,000 folks. It has been a good ten years since I last stepped foot in Beaumont to visit some friends that live there. Some of the area around Beaumont is marshland, good fishing. There is also some logging west of Beaumont, near Jasper, Texas. Lot's of history in the area. Kelley (Texas)

 

[George-CT]

How many today could handle all she did? Time to feed the horse's then come back in and re read it.... Really hated to see it come to and end.... But it ended well.....

Thanks for taking the time and effort to post all of the pages Mikie.

George-CT

 

[Royal]

you know, He proposed to her the day before I was born. He proposed October 6th and I was born October 7th, 1939!

 

[Royal]

it amazes me how well she writes and her memory. I don't know how long ago she wrote this but she has the names and dates clear it seems. I really am enjoyng it but have to read it a few pages at a time.

 

[Royal]

was surprised when she mentioned that she went to the hospital in a snowmobile. I didn't think there were any back then. The first one I remember seeing was in the 50's. I wonder what the early ones were like.

I am finding this story extremely interesting. My god, how many times did she move? Just living was a huge chore for her. I am going to print this out and let my mother read it.

 

[Cupajo]

"Hold tight and go right through it!" says it all!

You don't know what you can do until you have to!

These stories of hard times and tough people are lessons for us all.

Many thanks again Friends,

CJ