68 Years Ago . . .

My dad was born in 1941 and my mum came along in 1945 so I heard plenty about the war . . . mostly from my paternal grandfather.  My dad's parents would freely board military men at their home and eat meat during the war, which was scarce.  One gift for another, my grandfather would say.  They had a big home to share and only one child. 

Anyway, I live in Pearl Harbor so I got so see some people place wreaths on the Oklahoma Memorial, which is just steps from my front door.  I'll post pictures later.  But, this morning, I had plans to perch on the bench facing the Arizona Memorial and watch what could be seen, especially some planes that would come by and "wing salute". 

However, the school districts decided no buses would come for the kids on Ford Island until after the bridge was opened again at 10:00 am.  It closed at 7:00 am . . . the buses are always here before 7:50 am so there, in my mind, would have been time to get them and scoot them to school.  My kids can't miss any time from school . . . I don't believe in it and there was a way to get them there:  my taking them and then finding something to do for two hours.  I missed the airplanes, dern it, but my kids were in school. 

I went to Target, parked, and watched the door until it opened up.  It was 45 minutes and I got to chat with my mother, who told me about our Norwegian ancestry.  She said in our Christmas box would be some things of interest, but she shared the story of her grandmother's parents in Norway, who were in some way related to King Olaf.  But, what struck me most is the separation of her great-grandfather from his wife and daughter for four years while he worked hard in Minnesota to earn the money to be reunited with them.  They had twelve children, eight who lived to adulthood.  Wow. 

"You know, they were dirt poor . . . even when the family was so closely related to the King, " my mum said. 

"Well, I have read in many books that Knights also had very little income . . . "  I replied.

If money is your destiny, you are destined to the worst kind of poverty.  Knights were not in it for the money, but the gallantry and service to their king. 

I'm sure the same could be said for the majority who lost their lives in the service to this Great Nation during the Second World War.



Anyway, it is not often I get uninterrupted chat with my mum on the phone.  I mean, she interrupts plenty, but I mean on my end by the dog or the kids or Chief.  It was pleasant.  I got some Christmas stocking stuffers today and some much needed front/back porch entrance mats and, a new kitchen carpet mat (that can be washed in the washing machine; my only real concern in buying another one).


So some good news today:   my sister is officially an EMT for Washington State.  Woot woot!