Martha invited Clara to a shower. Young George, handsome in his Merchant Marine uniform, came to our house to pick up my mom, and take her to the party. I tried to avoid meeting him, because my Aunt Martha, an incurable romantic was always telling me what a great catch he would make, so of course I tried to avoid him like the plague. Another thing he was blond. At the time a favored dark haired boys.
We did begin writing to each other, and I must admit I missed him for some reason or another. We wrote many letters, and got to know each other pretty well. After a while a small romance was in full bloom. One of the fellows on Georges ship raised canaries. He'd write me funny stories about them. Some times he wrote sweetly, some times seriously. It was hard for the boys to be away from home, and lonesome.
I don't remember just when, but it was cold weather, George gave me a diamond set in a platinum band. We were officially engaged. The following June, we were married.
Georges first job after service was with the Divco Company. They manufactured a type of step-in van. They were used as milk delivery trucks. He worked there a short time, until he was accepted for the Detroit Fire Dept. November 4,1946.
When we were first married, housing was hard to get, because of the war, there was no new construction. With all the service men and women coming home, getting married, and setting up house
married - Jun 8, 1946
Then we house-sat a nice bungalow on Knodell while the people were living in Arizona. One morning the pipes broke in the furnace, filling the house with live steam! I took our infant daughter Susan, to the neighbors house and waited for the Fire Dept. I was in panic mode! The fire fighters were very helpful, when they learned George was a fireman, they were even more concerned about Suzie and me. They called and had George come home. That day I found out the department was a family and looked out after their own. When the folks came back from Arizona, we moved into the upper flat of Georges parents home. Mom and Dad were very good to us. We got along real well.
Busha, (Grandmother) lived with mom and dad. I loved talking to her. She always told me, I worked too hard. This coming from a woman, who was a real pioneer. She came with her family from the old
After a time, and another baby, Karen, I yearned for a home of our own. I gave George a rather hard time about it. His mom thought prices would come down. My mom thought home prices would go up, they did. In the early fall of 48 we bought a small home at 9329 Sanilac. We scrubbed cleaned, and painted, and had a wonderful time. On completion of our work we were resting on the floor of the kitchen, when a smiling Suzie, paint brush in hand, proudly announced "I HELP YOU!!" She had painted, with white enamel, wood work paint, the living room walls.
Our street was only two blocks long. At the end of the street, was a park, so no strangers came down
married - Jun 8, 1946
When we were expecting our third child, we started to look for a larger home too. Michael arrived September 7, 1953 labor day! We bought a new home at 11200 Beaconsfield in the spring of 54. George continued to work on the Fire Dept. I continued to have babies. George actually worked two jobs. He worked 24 hours on and 24 hours off on the dept. His second job was with the Henris Paint Company, this he worked 9 to 5 on his day "OFF". July 31,1957 marked Pauls arrival. He kept the family waiting and guessing for three days! It was a very hot summer, and he was a very large baby., but well worth the wait! James came in with a rush..twenty minutes..Febuary 25,1959. He to, was a very good baby. I was afraid to call the doctor to tell him Thomas was on his way...... The doctor told me I couldn't have the baby Christmas day. He wanted the day off !!! Well, December 25, 1961 Thomas joined our ever growing family. We
Every thing was going along, the family were all developing interests of their own. Suzie and Karen were in high school attending Dominican Hi. Michael was attending St. Brendans. Paul, James and Tommy would be in school by the time Eileen made her appearance April 23,1966. Suzie was absolutely delighted to have a new sister.
When Eileen was two years old I began working for the Powell Studio in down town Detroit. The most fortunate part was that I was able to do thepainting at home and take my work back to the office once or twice a week. What started out as a hobby turned into a profession. It was most enjoyable work. All the artists had to enter competitions, it made the studio look good when we won. In 1974 the Detroit Professional Photographers Ass. gave me the Colorist Award of Excellence, that made me proud and happy.
married - Jun 8, 1946
Being too young to retire from the work world, George took a position as Industrial Fire Fighter, with the Ford Motor Car Company in Dearborn. We began thinking about a little hunters cabin up north, some where we could go for vacations and George could go hunting. The longer we thought the bigger the house got!! That was supposed to be a small shack, turned into a five bedroom, three bath retirement home. The whole family enjoyed watching the house take shape and helping the builder. After the house was complete no one wanted to live in the city any more! By this time George had worked at Fords about eighteen months. We were all ready for the change.
We moved to our new home on Hodge Lake, eight miles south of Evart, in Pauls senior year. Suzie and Kae were already married. Mike was working for Parks and Recreation, so he stayed in the city. He later joined us.
It was not too easy adjusting to retirement, after a busy life. I continued to paint for Powells via U.P.S.
One by one thing began to change. Paul joined the navy, then Mike joined too. Jamie went away to U.of M. Tommy later went to Central. Eileen went to Ferris, we would meet her every Wednesday for dinner.
The family had a full and happy life at the lake. The boys began to marry. Suzie had moved up with her children. And the house was again full of people.... sons, daughters, husbands, wives and grandchildren. Bon fires at the beach, sand castles, sail boating in the summer. Ice skating, ice fishing, snow mobiles, they were very happy days.
The boys, like their older sisters bought homes of their own, and began raising families. George developed muscular dystrophy and he found it difficult to climb the stairs. We sold the house and built a one story home on Squaw Lane, just out side the city limits of Big Rapids. It's a comfortable home with plenty of space for children and grand children.
married - Jun 8, 1946
This is just a skeletal sketch of the family. I've asked every one to flesh it out with their own memories, words and their interpertations of their own life, no two people see the same things from exactly the same view point. Their response is eagerly anticipated.
By now you are asking, where is the romance? The romance is just living... Living every day with the ones you love. Sharing with them, small things, big things, sunshine, rain storms, being snowed-in. Haveing wonderful things happen, having heart breaking events. But through it all, it's only the family that counts, and life itself is the romance.