There are days when, remembering the past, it would be a good thing to forget some of the painful moments in one's life..but sadly that is not possible. Instead, it is worth remembering the lessons learned and the treasures that remain stored in that MEMORY BOX.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA was now home and though the HAPPY TIMES were bountiful, our two sons were definitely "trying to cut the apron strings" and to my dismay seemed to be succeeding. The question is, do we as parents know and do we learn that this is the normal sequence of our lives. Marc was definitely of that mindset during those days and, though we were ready to accept this, his choices did cross path with our values and would eventually lead to painful years ahead. David, was a Senior now, and still interested in WRESTLING, and that raised my anxieties to a definite high level because of the toll it took on his weight gain/loss. Garry, unknown to us, had become quite active in the life of a motorcylist, until we were called to face serious injuries and painful decisions.
I think that as we go through life as a parent, we sometimes wish away those baby years, anxious to forge ahead. If I knew then..what I know now, I would take more pleasure in those small accomplishments.
As my grandmother used to say.."when they're little they pull on your apron strings...and when they're older, they pull on your HEARTSTRINGS"!
This wonderful place, where DISNEY WORLD was born, full of the land of make believe, is where we were awakened to life's difficulties and struggles as parents. Today as I remember, I also realize that
I am grateful for so very much and for the strength that has come from all of this. Thank GOD for those three young men who have "cut the apron strings" but remain true to our family as they pursue their own lives.I am so thankful that I was given these precious gifts. Being an example is what I hope that I have accomplished in this life because for me, the gifts have been returned in full measure.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
HERE WE ARE IN "COTTON TOWN"
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE,our new "hometown" where the very slow pace and friendliness abounds..
We knew from the very beginning that this was going to be the best of the rest!
From a brief conversation at a local breakfast spot, we located our new home and neighbors who were, have been and still are among those who live on as family. DR.FRANK AND ROSE KROETZ, though we called them Ohio Yankees,made us feel welcome and the friendship blossoms still. We laughed together,cooked together and sometimes shared sad times too. I sang for their daughter's (an only child - Becky)wedding and, unfortunately cried when she died in her 40's.
Marc and David attended CHRISTIAN BROTHERS HIGH SCHOOL, where David found his new interest, WRESTLING. He was the light weight on the very first TEAM at the school. Marc graduated and vowed, at the time, never to get another haircut! This was in the 70's and the young men all wore their hair LONG AND FLOWING! ugh!!! Both of the boys were driving now and decided that girls were pretty nice.
For me, I found gardening, flower arranging,playing bridge and more musical activities at our church.
This was during the Vietnam War and with a MARINE SON our hearts were filled with deep concern and constant prayer. Garry was a Sgt. now and a "chef" so it was comforting to know that he was not on the front lines and thankfully never was sent overseas. He was assigned to live with a GENERAL and his wife on base in California.
Life is good BUT ..it was about to change. THAT MAN OF MINE was to become a PLANT MANAGER..and the factory is in ORLANDO, FLORIDA!
We knew from the very beginning that this was going to be the best of the rest!
From a brief conversation at a local breakfast spot, we located our new home and neighbors who were, have been and still are among those who live on as family. DR.FRANK AND ROSE KROETZ, though we called them Ohio Yankees,made us feel welcome and the friendship blossoms still. We laughed together,cooked together and sometimes shared sad times too. I sang for their daughter's (an only child - Becky)wedding and, unfortunately cried when she died in her 40's.
Marc and David attended CHRISTIAN BROTHERS HIGH SCHOOL, where David found his new interest, WRESTLING. He was the light weight on the very first TEAM at the school. Marc graduated and vowed, at the time, never to get another haircut! This was in the 70's and the young men all wore their hair LONG AND FLOWING! ugh!!! Both of the boys were driving now and decided that girls were pretty nice.
For me, I found gardening, flower arranging,playing bridge and more musical activities at our church.
This was during the Vietnam War and with a MARINE SON our hearts were filled with deep concern and constant prayer. Garry was a Sgt. now and a "chef" so it was comforting to know that he was not on the front lines and thankfully never was sent overseas. He was assigned to live with a GENERAL and his wife on base in California.
Life is good BUT ..it was about to change. THAT MAN OF MINE was to become a PLANT MANAGER..and the factory is in ORLANDO, FLORIDA!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
THE PAINS OF RELOCATION
Until now, relocating was not difficult, but soon it was to become an astronomical task..affecting those
no longer children, but "Teens" whose choices were definitely affected.
Those HIGH SCHOOL DAYS seemed to fly by but they weren't over by a long shot. Garry graduated in 1971 from Howland High School and he decided, on his own, he was not college material just yet, so to our surprise, he enlisted in the MARINE CORPS!! Now, the heartaches began. One of the most difficult days of our lives was bringing this young man to the bus one early cold OHIO morning, handing him over to a Marine while we were in the midst of still another WAR! In a few months we went to the ceremony in PARIS ISLAND and witnessed the training that our son had accomplished and although we knew that he was fully prepared for any assignment, still, though proud, future prospects are NOT a pleasant thought. Again, GOD and prayer are the sustaining factors.
While this was utmost in our minds and hearts, still we had two sons at home whose full lives had to be contended with daily. Then, one beautiful evening, the day that Marc received his Senior Class Ring, dinner was interrupted by the announcement that we were being transferred to MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE for still another promotion. I think that for me, this was another moment mixed with JOY and SADNESS. First because I was so very proud of RUSS and his accomplishments and SAD when I witnessed the tears in Marc's eyes of having to leave to go to an unknown school as a SENIOR!
Until now, the boys were never reluctant to "follow OUR dreams". They were always first scouring the new neighborhoods for friends but we found that in those "teen years" the inhibitions began to show and I was always the one in charge of the neighborhood search. Looking back, though painful, the moving remains, in my mind, one of the most educational and enlightening things that we all shared together!
In everyone's life there are so many JOYS we share..which makes the SAD times much easier to bear!
no longer children, but "Teens" whose choices were definitely affected.
Those HIGH SCHOOL DAYS seemed to fly by but they weren't over by a long shot. Garry graduated in 1971 from Howland High School and he decided, on his own, he was not college material just yet, so to our surprise, he enlisted in the MARINE CORPS!! Now, the heartaches began. One of the most difficult days of our lives was bringing this young man to the bus one early cold OHIO morning, handing him over to a Marine while we were in the midst of still another WAR! In a few months we went to the ceremony in PARIS ISLAND and witnessed the training that our son had accomplished and although we knew that he was fully prepared for any assignment, still, though proud, future prospects are NOT a pleasant thought. Again, GOD and prayer are the sustaining factors.
While this was utmost in our minds and hearts, still we had two sons at home whose full lives had to be contended with daily. Then, one beautiful evening, the day that Marc received his Senior Class Ring, dinner was interrupted by the announcement that we were being transferred to MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE for still another promotion. I think that for me, this was another moment mixed with JOY and SADNESS. First because I was so very proud of RUSS and his accomplishments and SAD when I witnessed the tears in Marc's eyes of having to leave to go to an unknown school as a SENIOR!
Until now, the boys were never reluctant to "follow OUR dreams". They were always first scouring the new neighborhoods for friends but we found that in those "teen years" the inhibitions began to show and I was always the one in charge of the neighborhood search. Looking back, though painful, the moving remains, in my mind, one of the most educational and enlightening things that we all shared together!
In everyone's life there are so many JOYS we share..which makes the SAD times much easier to bear!
MEMORY LANE
As I JOG MY MEMORY through the years, how can I forget MY childhood, and the magic that brought me to the present? An only child, my parents ALFRED AND ANNIE GUILLOT, when I was born were "share croppers" out in the country. As a two year old, and, because my MOM was ill, my DAD carried me around in a burlap sack so that he could pick cotton and care for the farm animals. I remember so well in the afternoon waiting on the porch steps for DAD to bring me a warm glass of milk from "DAISY" our Jersey Cow! Whoever heard of pasteurized milk back then??
Because they'd had very little education, my parents decided that when I became school age they must relocate to the city so that I could be enrolled in kindergarten. My DAD got a job delivering ICE, to people lucky enough to have a refrigerator, in a horse drawn carriage..and MOM was a "cook" for the hired men at the Cotton Gin (where farmers brought their freshly picked cotton to be ginned and baled ready to be brought to the factories to make fabric)! My MOM sooned opened her own store and was a great merchandiser/saleslady gem, and, of course I was the recipient of lovely clothes each season.
Although I had been singing from a very early age, school is where that love was first recognized by my teachers and classmates. I think it made me aware of the great values we find in life and, how satisfying it is to accomplish goals for oneself, independent of others.
High School opened doors in MUSIC and other related areas and, in 1946 I became that high school's very first MAJORETTE, participating in musicals and school plays at every opportunity until graduation in January of 1947.
Because of my accomplishments in typing and shorthand, it was easy to find my first job w/an Attorney and after receiving a degree in SECRETARIAL SCIENCE, I became Secretary to the City Mayor..where I found the young man I was to share my life with! YOUNG AND FOOLISH, but ready to conquer the world together!
Because they'd had very little education, my parents decided that when I became school age they must relocate to the city so that I could be enrolled in kindergarten. My DAD got a job delivering ICE, to people lucky enough to have a refrigerator, in a horse drawn carriage..and MOM was a "cook" for the hired men at the Cotton Gin (where farmers brought their freshly picked cotton to be ginned and baled ready to be brought to the factories to make fabric)! My MOM sooned opened her own store and was a great merchandiser/saleslady gem, and, of course I was the recipient of lovely clothes each season.
Although I had been singing from a very early age, school is where that love was first recognized by my teachers and classmates. I think it made me aware of the great values we find in life and, how satisfying it is to accomplish goals for oneself, independent of others.
High School opened doors in MUSIC and other related areas and, in 1946 I became that high school's very first MAJORETTE, participating in musicals and school plays at every opportunity until graduation in January of 1947.
Because of my accomplishments in typing and shorthand, it was easy to find my first job w/an Attorney and after receiving a degree in SECRETARIAL SCIENCE, I became Secretary to the City Mayor..where I found the young man I was to share my life with! YOUNG AND FOOLISH, but ready to conquer the world together!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
AND NOW..ITS A "TEEN" SCENE
Can you just believe it..you got it..we're headed for WARREN, OHIO which is just about 40miles from our present home BUT those three boys are now teenagers who had to give up friends, football teams and, no not girls yet (that is that we know of).
Now I knew that no longer should I be a working MOM but one who stayed home, became a "taxi" and woke up to the fact that the "apron strings" were coming untied..yuck!
Garry was in Senior High and on the football team, but his grades were of great concern to us both. Marc and David were in Jr. High and doing well for the moment! Marc was continuing with the football and David..well he was beginning to show real signs of musical talent and, so far, letting me guide him in that direction. School plays were my cup of tea too so I could be involved in MUSIC while keeping an eye on the active teenage boys. Believe me, I learned many tricks of that generation and, it was in the 60's so it was very important to be cognizant of "do you know where your children are"!
We had another new home and discovered that you could NOT step out of the back door because of a 6' drop..so our handy man DAD constructed a beautiful deck built on railroad ties..problem solved.
Our backyard neighbor, a doctor and family, became very important to us when the boys took turns with broken collar bones, broken legs and automobile accidents. My advice to any young parents out there, enjoy your babies to the fullest and realize that when they reach for your hand it is much more satisfying than when they let it go. God sent this gift to you for a short while..and they must take those extra miles themselves.
Now I knew that no longer should I be a working MOM but one who stayed home, became a "taxi" and woke up to the fact that the "apron strings" were coming untied..yuck!
Garry was in Senior High and on the football team, but his grades were of great concern to us both. Marc and David were in Jr. High and doing well for the moment! Marc was continuing with the football and David..well he was beginning to show real signs of musical talent and, so far, letting me guide him in that direction. School plays were my cup of tea too so I could be involved in MUSIC while keeping an eye on the active teenage boys. Believe me, I learned many tricks of that generation and, it was in the 60's so it was very important to be cognizant of "do you know where your children are"!
We had another new home and discovered that you could NOT step out of the back door because of a 6' drop..so our handy man DAD constructed a beautiful deck built on railroad ties..problem solved.
Our backyard neighbor, a doctor and family, became very important to us when the boys took turns with broken collar bones, broken legs and automobile accidents. My advice to any young parents out there, enjoy your babies to the fullest and realize that when they reach for your hand it is much more satisfying than when they let it go. God sent this gift to you for a short while..and they must take those extra miles themselves.
PAUSE TO REFLECT
Where have all of those years gone and as the family moves right along with our "leading man" what has he been up to and the question is how did this all begin?
Russ was one of eight children and his MOM and DAD were, from all I've heard, true romantics. They lived happily in a two bedroom home and enjoyed a very close family relationship..which by the way is what drew me to them originally (besides the fact that HE was pretty handsome and loved his MOM)!
As I have already mentioned soon we were on our way to pursue his career as a Quality Engineer in Louisville,Ky and then off to Schenectady NY in guided missiles and steam turbines. Following that his choice was to be affiliated with the LAMP DIVISION (of GE) which brought us to Jackson, Mississippil;Youngstown, Ohio; Warren, Ohio; Memphis, Tennessee; Orlando,Florida and finally after 38 years back to Memphis on this road to many successes, What an awakening this all was since I was an only child who had never left the City of Lafayette, never mind the State of Louisiana.
Russ was one of eight children and his MOM and DAD were, from all I've heard, true romantics. They lived happily in a two bedroom home and enjoyed a very close family relationship..which by the way is what drew me to them originally (besides the fact that HE was pretty handsome and loved his MOM)!
Unfortunately, his DAD was killed when he was a teenager and he assumed alot of the responsibilities along with his MOM since his oldest brother was serving this country. He worked his way through school at many jobs and then as a fireman working nights to complete his college education as an Electrical Engineer.
As the Mayor's Secretary, I was introduced to this hard-working, handsome young man and after two years of pursuing HIM..he was convinced that we could attempt life's road together! 
As I have already mentioned soon we were on our way to pursue his career as a Quality Engineer in Louisville,Ky and then off to Schenectady NY in guided missiles and steam turbines. Following that his choice was to be affiliated with the LAMP DIVISION (of GE) which brought us to Jackson, Mississippil;Youngstown, Ohio; Warren, Ohio; Memphis, Tennessee; Orlando,Florida and finally after 38 years back to Memphis on this road to many successes, What an awakening this all was since I was an only child who had never left the City of Lafayette, never mind the State of Louisiana. I fully understand now the saying "join the Navy and see the world"..and I know I joined the right man and have seen enough to qualify for a PHD in MOVING, DECORATING,P/R,differences in STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS,BUYING PROPERTY AND TAX STRUCTURES along with being a wife and Mother! THIS IS just a brief interlude so that you can understand why MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS and why sometimes we must JOG OUR MEMORY along the way to fully appreciate life's precious moments!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
ANOTHER NEW BEGINNING
Just when we thought that we were really settled in..off we go again..and, this time back to the land of "old man winter".YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO!
Garry, Marc, David and I had to head NORTH in the midst of summer without DAD,who would join us in September, because we needed a house and prepare for a new school year.
We spent the entire summer in a motel where the boys were content to swim and meet new friends.
There we met another family also in the process of relocating and our relationship continued for many more years.
Most days were spent looking for a new home and school districts in the area. Garry was going into the 7th grade so it wouldn't be possible for his brothers to attend the same school .. settling in was not going to be simple.
We found a desirable area to accomodate the school problem and a home in the "building" process.
Looking at wallpaper, selecting paint and making decisions without help was the beginning of my new found experience and another educational direction. I LOVED IT (though it was difficult shuffling my job as MOM at the same time)!
Here we are now, living in BOARDMAN,OHIO joined by our "leading man" and ready to tackle any task sent, always remembering "if GOD takes you to it..HE'LL take you through it".
The boys were enrolled in school and seemed so quick to adjust to their new environment and their dialect noticeably changing each day. I took a job as Secretary in Garry's school which made it possible to always be at home after school hours with all of them.
This area is deeply rooted in the STEEL INDUSTRY and left much to be desired in "cleanliness" but the people made up for that. Russ' new assignment was an adjustment for him as well and we were introduced to another new cultural experience. One of the humorous things was learning how to pronounce the names of new friends who have settled here from all of over the "old country"..Polish, Czechs, Yugoslavian (?)..none of whom could pronounce Boudreaux either!
What a beautiful experience until the winter came and we saw that "white stuff" once again. This time though ,we had boys who had to be outfitted to deal with their new found challenges..sledding,ice-skating and long winter nights.
All of our new friends spoke of how wonderful it would be to retire and leave the area for homes
in the SOUTH..and, I, wondered why we left although this was to be one of the best learning experiences we had as a family. We had three winters in our new home and off we went to a new job not too far away but requiring relocation.DAD was "moving on UP" and we went right along with him!
Garry, Marc, David and I had to head NORTH in the midst of summer without DAD,who would join us in September, because we needed a house and prepare for a new school year.
We spent the entire summer in a motel where the boys were content to swim and meet new friends.
There we met another family also in the process of relocating and our relationship continued for many more years.
Most days were spent looking for a new home and school districts in the area. Garry was going into the 7th grade so it wouldn't be possible for his brothers to attend the same school .. settling in was not going to be simple.
We found a desirable area to accomodate the school problem and a home in the "building" process.
Looking at wallpaper, selecting paint and making decisions without help was the beginning of my new found experience and another educational direction. I LOVED IT (though it was difficult shuffling my job as MOM at the same time)!
Here we are now, living in BOARDMAN,OHIO joined by our "leading man" and ready to tackle any task sent, always remembering "if GOD takes you to it..HE'LL take you through it".
The boys were enrolled in school and seemed so quick to adjust to their new environment and their dialect noticeably changing each day. I took a job as Secretary in Garry's school which made it possible to always be at home after school hours with all of them.
This area is deeply rooted in the STEEL INDUSTRY and left much to be desired in "cleanliness" but the people made up for that. Russ' new assignment was an adjustment for him as well and we were introduced to another new cultural experience. One of the humorous things was learning how to pronounce the names of new friends who have settled here from all of over the "old country"..Polish, Czechs, Yugoslavian (?)..none of whom could pronounce Boudreaux either!
What a beautiful experience until the winter came and we saw that "white stuff" once again. This time though ,we had boys who had to be outfitted to deal with their new found challenges..sledding,ice-skating and long winter nights.
All of our new friends spoke of how wonderful it would be to retire and leave the area for homes
in the SOUTH..and, I, wondered why we left although this was to be one of the best learning experiences we had as a family. We had three winters in our new home and off we went to a new job not too far away but requiring relocation.DAD was "moving on UP" and we went right along with him!
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