48 YEARS OF WEDDED BLISS

February 25, 1958 my Parents, Connie and Jerry married. This photo of them was taken when they were dating, I assume in 1957, but it could very well be 1956. The story goes they were both working in the same building in downtown San Antonio, Texas. Mom in a Savings and Loan and Dad was a delivery boy for a Title company located in the same building. The were introduced by mutual friends and fell head over hills for each other and were married shortly thereafter.

My father was in the Air Force and was stationed at various places around Texas which is where my brother was born in 1959. My sister was born while Dad was in Korea in 1960, this would be a great place to put in the pictures my Dad took while stationed there, but they have all since been damaged by moisture. When Dad came back they were transferred to Ft. Walton Beach, Florida where I, the baby of the family was born.

What a blessing to basically marry at the brink of adulthood and stay married your entire adult life. They are still in love and it never ceases to amaze me how much love you see between the two of them on a regular basis. They are truly each others best friend. They have a respect for each other that is seldom seen in today's society. Growing up with them as parents, you knew they were united and they would never contradict each other. It brought a great deal of stability into my life as a child.

I look at my parents as an inspiration of what can be, if you can truly find someone who loves unconditionally and whole heartedly. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad, Thanks for always hanging in there through thick and thin and doing it so beautifully. I love you both!

Valentine's

Little pieces of paper with catchy phrases; these are the things that make or break our valentine's day when we are children. You have spent the week prior to valentine's day making a decorated shoe box that will hold the cherished treasures. We spend endless hours painting with red and white paint, gluing dollies, ribbons and sticking stickers and we just can't forget the all important glitter.

Then a trip to the local store for the all important valentine cards, you don't want to end up with the generic ones....We all want the barbie, spiderman or other cool animated character of the times. Then you take the class list and match each card to each person. You save those really cool ones for the cool kids...You know "Your the coolest valentine, won't you say you will be mine?" Then there are one that say at least I don't hate you; "You are neat". When I was a kid the teacher always enforced the rule that everyone on the list was to receive a valentine, even Branch Haynes, who ate paste. Oh well at least you had the opportunity to give that special guy a valentine, with the added question on the back. I like you. Do you like me? Check yes or no. Then you waited to see if you were liked back.

Things have changed somewhat in the adult years, I am somewhat out of the loop when it comes to a day of romance. I have been single since 1999 and in a serious relationship for just under a year, so this is my first Valentine's Day in a very long time....No pressure; right? What do I do now? I ask around and find out that it is now acceptable to send flowers to men. I went for the potted miniature roses...He is a accomplished gardener. However I could not pass up the valentine card. Nothing flashy, just from the heart. The best part of the day is the receiving side, The delivery of truffles and a wonderfully sweet valentine card...That has the all important phrase, "I Love You". Not to mentioned the assorted goodies, from all the children at school and my girls, gave me a boxed heart of hershey's kisses and a card. Valentine's day has been nice, I would have liked an evening of romance in front of the fire....but things can only get better next year. Happy Valentine's Day!

State of Confusion

Have you ever felt you were living in a state of confusion? It is your life, your home and although familiar...not quite as you would like it to be. That is the way of things at my home right now. On December 24th my Son and his family converged on me for the holiday. I was so happy to see them and especially my grandchildren. They had closed up their home in Fayetteville, NC and were moving duty stations to of all places...where I was born, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. My son will be a medic attached to the ranger division stationed at Eglin AFB.

Anyway they came to spend the holiday and then move on. However, although my son has gone, my daughter in law and grandchildren are still here, in my small home and by all accounts, getting smaller by the day. We are all in tight quarters and although we have a very good relationship for inlaws; I think we are all ready to go back to separate living.