Friday, October 21, 2016

SEVENTY SEVEN YEARS AGO...

    Seventy seven years ago this afternoon the lives of a young couple changed forever. I was born seventy seven years ago this afternoon. It was a terrifying time for my mother and stressful for my Dad. You see, I was born in a small farmhouse. The place was about 14' by 24' .  Mom had two of her friends , Linda and Margaret, assist with the birth. Their only claim for expertise was that they had had children. The country doctor sat and smoked and read magazines until the great event was about to occur.

     It was a very warm pleasant fall day. Dad said the house got warm as they were boiling water to be used for good hygiene. 

     So for the next 34 years my Mom cared for me and my Dad cared for me for 68 years.  Now I don't mean that they physically looked after me but as parents I was on their mind. I appreciate their support even though sometimes I disappointed them greatly. A couple of years before Dad died , he looked at me and said. "Well, you did alright!" Of all the things he said, this is the most meaningful. He approved of what I did.

   Today most births occur in a hospital with highly skilled specialists and nurses. The risks in the birth procedure for me were very high. Mothers ,in particular, paid a high price in childbirth at that time. 

      So on my birthday I like to think of the beginning and the important things that had to happen to bring me into the world. Birthday parties for being one year older? I can pass it up.





35 comments:

  1. Hi Red, A very Happy Birthday to you! What's the deal with one candle? :-) Ok, I know ... hard to get 77 on there! Best regards from the West Coast!

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    1. I think the candle has to with a senior kind of birthday. Notice the huge cake too.

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  2. Happy Birthday, Red! From humble beginnings mighty good things can come.

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    1. Thanks! We had to be good stuff to survive those conditions.

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  3. Happy Birthday Red!! I hope you have many more wonderful years, I enjoyed your old photos! :)

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    1. Thanks. That's all I can find for ancient photos.

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  4. Happy birthday. Sounds like your father was right that you did right well for yourself.

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  5. Happy Birthday, Red! You don't look a day older than 39!

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    1. Thanks. Of course, I put other 39 year olds to shame!!!

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  6. Congratulations with your birthday, you reached a respectable age!

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  7. Belated birthday greetings Red! Like it says on your T-shirt, you are still "Intact" and after seventy seven years that is a hell of an achievement in itself. If your parents could speak to you now, I am sure they would express their pride - not just in the things you have achieved but in who you are.

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    1. Good eye! I've been fortunate as far as health is concerned.

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  8. A very happy birthday to you, Red. I am also pleased to see three of my best friends have already been here and left you their birthday wishes. I like the way you wrote about your birth. :-)

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    1. Thanks. The story of my birth is always on my mind. Conditions were very difficult for my folks.

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  9. Happy Birthday!Nice to share some memories

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    1. Thanks. I'm glad my folks talked about my birth.

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  10. awww. a very happy birthday to you.

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  11. Ah! Happy birthday. I'm important to know where we came from. I was born in a hospital, then promptly passed over to a foster mom! Times have changed!
    I hope you had a wonderful day, although you have a wonderful life! I can tell by your blog posts!!!

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    1. Thanks. I've been fortunate and I appreciate what's been dealt to me.

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  12. A very happy birthday! I wish you many more years. I really love those old photos.

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  13. Perhaps I am a bit late, but the wish is still goood, eh. Great to hear the history as well and love your birthday cake :)

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    1. You saw my birthday cake? Good eye. Thanks for the wishes.

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  14. My dad was born in the back of an old ranch house in Modesto, California, so I can appreciate what you're saying.

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    1. Some things are hard to believe even though you know they really happened.

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  15. A very Happy Birthday Red! I hope you had a wonderful day.

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  16. Very touching.
    Like what you said "So on my birthday I like to think of the beginning and the important things that had to happen to bring me into the world"

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  17. Happy 75th! You look very healthy and happy for being 3/4 of a century. May I be so lucky! Is that hair on your face new?

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  18. Happy birthday! Is it coincidence that you're wearing a t-shirt that says "Intact"? :)

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  19. Very nice told Red!I think the most important people in life is the the ones which gives you birth and the ones that follows you in to the forever heavenly peace
    And happy birthday!you are a scorpio just like me :)

    Best wishes to you and family

    Anita

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  20. I'm sorry I'm late, but I would like to wish you a very happy birthday and many, many more to come.

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