As you can see, I'm in the mood for Family History - ran across the family history my Aunt Sharon (Mimi to her many grandchildren) wrote up. Here's 2 stories that reminded me to "wake up - your life is not so bad!"
#1 Children
So, my Grandpa Howard was one of eleven children, born in 1920. His mother was Ida and his father was Edward. They lived in various little counties in South Texas. At that time it was uncommon for that many children to survive infancy... (Wake up Note # 1!). But they all did.
One day, Ida went to visit her sister in Austin, and while she was gone, her 6 year old Joseph developed appendititus (this was just a few weeks after his 6th birthday). Little Joseph and his father Ed were driven to the Cuero hospital in Dr. Zipp's car, but to no avail. Little Joseph died and I imagine his mother did not get to see him again alive since she was all the way in Austin that day... (Wake up Note # 2!). This same year, about 3 months prior, they lost their 24 year old son Jesse (who still lived at home), to typhoid fever.
#2 Careers and Bad Luck
For several years in early 1900s, Ed worked for the railroad in Vanderbilt, and he must have made decent wages because they lived in a big 2-story house at Koop Community in Jackson County. I'm sure this was very nice for a family so large... Well, the railroad found out that Ed had vision in only one eye and let him go. No idea what Ed did after that, but they were still living in the same big house when lightning struck their barn. All the horses and mules were killed and the barn and all the equipment burned... So, they had to move. They moved back to Yoakum where Ed worked at the icehouse. (Wake up Note # 3) - on days when you hate your job, think about how lucky you have it - think about how much worse it could get! See above story about when you're down on your luck and then your barn burns down!!!
#1 Children
So, my Grandpa Howard was one of eleven children, born in 1920. His mother was Ida and his father was Edward. They lived in various little counties in South Texas. At that time it was uncommon for that many children to survive infancy... (Wake up Note # 1!). But they all did.
One day, Ida went to visit her sister in Austin, and while she was gone, her 6 year old Joseph developed appendititus (this was just a few weeks after his 6th birthday). Little Joseph and his father Ed were driven to the Cuero hospital in Dr. Zipp's car, but to no avail. Little Joseph died and I imagine his mother did not get to see him again alive since she was all the way in Austin that day... (Wake up Note # 2!). This same year, about 3 months prior, they lost their 24 year old son Jesse (who still lived at home), to typhoid fever.
#2 Careers and Bad Luck
For several years in early 1900s, Ed worked for the railroad in Vanderbilt, and he must have made decent wages because they lived in a big 2-story house at Koop Community in Jackson County. I'm sure this was very nice for a family so large... Well, the railroad found out that Ed had vision in only one eye and let him go. No idea what Ed did after that, but they were still living in the same big house when lightning struck their barn. All the horses and mules were killed and the barn and all the equipment burned... So, they had to move. They moved back to Yoakum where Ed worked at the icehouse. (Wake up Note # 3) - on days when you hate your job, think about how lucky you have it - think about how much worse it could get! See above story about when you're down on your luck and then your barn burns down!!!
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