Think of no instant computer links - television - radio - newspapers and magazines and books galore - - 24-hour cable news of events of just about anywhere in the world!!
Downsizing time a tad, I think often of my mother's parents, each a child of a minister in South Carolina.
Pa (English name that rhymes with 'WAAA'..:) graduated from Wofford College - Mammy from Columbia College with a degree in music, and taught school for 3 years.
They married in the Washington Street Methodist Church within sight of the Capitol Building of South Carolina; both fathers officiating - hers had been an Associate Pastor there.
Married March 25, 1898, on December 28th they had a son - then another son - and my mother in April 1901.
After her came a little boy who died at age 2 from diphtheria - then 4 more girls.
This is where I tie it into my prior fascination with and conversation about transportation and Travel - LOL!
My mother related that in 1907 when she was about 6 and her brothers 7 and 8, and two younger sisters, Pa had been transferred to another town, as usually happened every 2 to 4 years.
All their goods were loaded on mule-drawn wagons, lined up in front of the parsonage. Luther, 7, was always a daring type, and sneaked under the high porch with lattice to shield him - to (cough, cough) smoke - gasp! - a cigarette!!
Yep -- somehow he managed to start a fire -- that literally burned down the (thank the Lord) EMPTY parsonage!!
He went on to become a high school history teacher and later the Principal - fine upstanding pillar of the community - who almost went up in a pillar of smoke..:))
[Coincidence}
My second son, Kevin, was due on the 4th of July 1955, but managed to be born on July 1st at the Naval Air Station at Chincoteague, Virginia.
It was a small facility and not air-conditioned, and as a staff wife, I was given a strong circular fan for the 2-patient room I had afterward.
My roommate *happened* to be from Chester, SC, and had had my uncle Luther there as teacher and principal -- small world story - one of many...
Although my two sisters and I were born and reared in Florida, each of us ended up in South Carolina...each in towns where our grandfather had a church.
When I drive a mile to the center of town and go around The Circle in front of the County Courthouse, and spit out on the other side, there is the church Pa had, opposite the Post Office....
As my cousin Betsy and I discussed years ago in Greensboro, NC (always in touch by mail growing up, both with engineer fathers and lived outside SC) and visiting now and then, God brought us together for 16 years there!), the prayers of those grandparents have *always* surrounded their children and us grandchildren and on down the line !!
I happen to have made that slow drive just today, savoring the feeling of being surrounded by their prayers.....
following in their footsteps toward Him, praying for my children and grandchildren and great-grandchild ---
Through that grandfather, I am descended from men who came to America in the 1600's, and some who fought in the Revolutionary War and The War of Northern Agression..:))
(won the DAR History Award in high school, always loving history)
Leaving the door open for you, Sistah Nan..:))
Lady--sometimes I don't get a chance to tell you, but you always have the sweetest stories! I always enjoy reading them! Thank you for always being here for us!
WOW---
what a fortunate person I am..two of your "stories" in one night...thank you very much.
Your posts here have become like a running "novel" of different aspects of your life, all of them fascinating and daring and brave...but the best part is that you share the best of you with all of us..
THAT is very generous of you LadyX---and I know that Cowboy couldn't have a better "pen pal" to keep him going during his struggles...
Well, it is late for this Texan...I have a picnic to prepare for tomorrow..
I hope you are having a get-together with friends/family for the 4th...and I hope you have a "bang-up" good time.
later
sleuth