Sandwiched
I love to see the various posts on social media around Veterans Day. Pictures of family and friends who are serving, are about to serve, or have served in the military make me smile with pride.
I enjoyed one meme in particular that talked about how that frail, elderly man you see today was once a vital, strong, “kick-butt” soldier in World War II or another war. Okay, the post didn’t exactly say, “kick-butt” but this is a family newspaper, you know.
It made me remember something I try to keep in mind when I’m around my mother or other elderly people – they haven’t always been old. It can be hard to think about that, especially if we’ve only known them at this point in their lives.
Today, my mom uses a walker and struggles with her memory. She’s a mother of three, grandmother of 10, a great-grandmother of 17, and a great-great-grandmother of one. Mom lives in a wonderful assisted living facility here in Noblesville. She can no longer drive and struggles to walk any distance.
But that’s not always been the case. 70+ years ago, she was a beautiful girl growing up on a farm in Northern Indiana. Mom was the only child of Evelyn and Wilbur, a homemaker and barber/farmer, respectively. She entered three sheep in her local 4-H Fair – Charley, Harley and Barley. Mom was quick and strong with a beautiful singing voice.
Photo provided
She fell in love with her high school sweetheart, Harold, more commonly known by his nickname, Dutch. Dutch was apparently confident on the basketball court but not so much on the Lakeville High School stage. Mom told me she saw his knees shake whenever he was in a play or musical. She often shared that story because, of course, he grew up to be my dad.
Mom and Dad had a small wedding with a cake and punch reception. Apparently, my grandparents didn’t think Mom was actually going to go through with the marriage, so they didn’t help with the finances or planning. Thankfully they warmed up to Dad over the years and had a good relationship with him later.
I think it’s important to know the stories about the older people in our lives. We need to remember that they were once young and vital with their whole futures ahead of them. Many, if not most of them accomplished great things with their family, community and careers.
One way I remind myself about my mother’s youth is to look at old pictures. The one I’m sharing with you today is of my mother and father near Lake Maxinkuckee. I framed it years ago so I could often see their young, smiling faces. You can almost feel their laughter and energy on that beautiful summer day in the 40s.
If you have a few special elderly folks in your lives, I would encourage you to do something similar. Enjoy old photos with them. Encourage them to tell you their stories. It will enrich both of your lives in ways you never imagined.