Thursday, June 8, 1944

Time marches forward as Grandma prepares for Great Aunt Peggy's arrival.  Great-Grandma keeps her updated on Peggy's comings and goings.  Grandma used to grill me before I left to go out with friends.  Where you going?  What are you going to get up to?  How long are you going to be gone?  I couldn't even drive, and she was trying to anticipate my every move.  I didn't even drink until I wen to college!  Now I see why she was so nosy.  She remembers what she was like at my age.  She'd already done everything and wanted to make sure I didn't do anything!

"I have to laugh about Peg going out all the time.  I am glad that you are, Peg, cause it does help to make you feel better and I know that Daddy wouldn't have minded.  He always liked to see us  have a good time, even though he used to get mad at me for the hours I liked to keep.  He would be glad to know that I now have to be in so darned early."

I know Grandma was whistling through her teeth when I left for college.  She sat up there working around her chair, trying to find a less judgmental spot.  She probably hit a few high notes there as well.  Grandma made those Chicago winters colder so that I wouldn't leave the house.  We'll see how well they comport themselves when Great Aunt Peggy gets to Miami!

"Don't wear yourself out with all the running around, Peggy.  I want you to look good when you come down here."

Grandma and Great Aunt Peggy will inspire some mischief but Grandpa will tag along for the ride.  He'll also make sure they don't fall off the ride.  In honor of D-Day Grandpa took Grandma to dinner and dancing, and took her out the next night just because.  

"I haven't been doing too much.  Tuesday night being "D" day, Bug, Andy and I went out dancing and had quite a nice time.  Last night Bud took me out to dinner and to the show over on the beach."

I wonder what Great Aunt Peggy will think of Grandma's new beaux Bud?!

On March 24, 1944...

Tuesday, June 6, 1944

Snarkiness runs in the family.  These are the first documented evidence that it is a family trait.  Grandma was my first clue, but our snark blooms with age.

"I am sos sorry for not writing sooner.  I have been terribly busy and just didn't seem to get the time to write.  I know that you miss my wonderful letters so much. Ahem!  I got both of your letters and I believe that was the last time I heard from you.  So Peggy, you think you are smart being dated so much?  I don't believe that I know this Sergeant.  Am I supposed to?"

Great Aunt Peggy will have plenty of time to enjoy that Genetic Snark when she she gets to Miami soon.  I cannot wait to read the reports of her visit.  They probably wrote about the pair of them in the newspapers.

Their fair faces did not grace the front page on Tuesday, June 6, 1944 however.  The newspapers were too concerned with D-Day to report on their fabulousness.  Grandma is apparently not impressed.

"Well the invasion has started at last.  This town is really excited about it.  It is just about all you hear and they have a lot of extras out and whatnot."

Somehow she cannot muster the proper enthusiasm for D-Day, but she can learn to fly for the forrest service parachute fire fighters at Missoula, Montana.

"In the news reel the other night they showed pictures of the forrest service parachute fire fighters at Missoula, Montana.  I about went through the roof."

Grandma is incredibly nonchalant about the D-Day invasion.  I initially did not understand it but, I quickly checked myself.  I had to realize that information and media did not reach people instantaneously back then as it does now.  Citizens and Military personnel on American shores did not understand the magnitude of the D-Day invasion.  They did once the information and media became available to them. 

General Dwight D Eisenhower well understood what this invasion meant for WWII and how it would affect human history.  He expresses his sentiments in his message to the troops.  The triumphs and horrors of this invasion were not evident to the people safe on American shores.  It changed the course of WWII and it changed the face of human history forever.

On March 17, 1944

Sunday, May 28, 1944

No offense to my brother, but I always wanted a big sister.  Not instead of him, but in addition to him.  I appreciate the things that only a brother can teach you: how to burp, how to mouth off, and most importantly which men a woman could trust.  You know how there's that old adage that women and men always find someone like their opposite gendered parent?  Not only did I end up with somebody like my Dad, but my boyfriend also shares some traits with my brother.  There are times my boyfriend will say something to me, and I will often respond, "Did you talk to Andrew today?"  I appreciate the relationship my brother and I have, but like most humans, I yearned for something I didn't have, a sister.  Now that's not to say Andrew didn't search for his own band of brothers either.  Before I was born, he would put aside his old clothes and say he was saving them for his little brother.  So, we both got what we needed: Andrew from his childhood friends, and I from my friends and Sister-In-Law.  Which my Sister-In-Law has survived our family for almost 10 years!  That woman deserves a medal.

BUT TO BRING THIS BLOG BACK AROUND TO GRANDMA:

Grandma's sister, Great Aunt Peggy is coming to Miami for the summer.  She became the principal of her school, and she still gets the summer off.  So, she's coming to stay with Grandma.

"I suppose Peggy is there by now.  I got your card, Peg, but since then I haven't heard from you.  I hope you had a nice time in Cody.  What is this about you getting to be principal?  I am very interested in hearing that.   I am getting quite anxious for Peggy to get down here.  I have it figured out that you will be down here in about 3 1/2 weeks.  You should get here by the 21st of June.  I think it would be nice to be here for your birthday.   Why don't you come straight down here and make you(r) stops on the way home.  I suppose that I had better start looking for a place for you.  I am hoping to be able to live with you while you are here."

Their relationship showed me what having a sister truly meant.  They complemented each other and my Grandmother often knew when it was Great Aunt Peggy ringing on the other end.  They would get into arguments and be laughing together five seconds after those arguments ended.  That's what always struck me.  They shared the same laugh.  Grandma's was tinted with smoke, but their laughs shared the same timbre and soul.

Sisters

On this day in WWII history

Tuesday, May 23, 1944

I have the same dream after every loved one's funeral.  The dream sens a message of peaceful rest and happiness in their life to come.  Now, these dreams might be my subconscious fulfilling a psychological need, but I know they are messages from my loved ones.  Dreams can heal us or haunt us.  Great-Grandpa Shannon passed suddenly and Grandma still doesn't sleep well.  She finds peace in her work during the day, but her sleep is filled with nightmares.

"You dream a lot of Daddy, well so do I.  Twice now I have dreamed of him in his casket & that he comes alive.  The first time I dreamed that, I dreamed they jarred the casket & he sat up & wanted to know what was going on.  Last nite I dreamed we were at the funeral & it came time to close the casket & he rolled over.  We wouldn't let them close it and & Daddy talked to us, but he was dead & didn't know it & we didn't want to tell him.  They are such awful dreams & I feel so badly when I wake up.  I'm glad I can still see him clearly.  I am afraid I'll never reconcile myself to his going."

The sudden passing of a parent is earth shattering.  Whenever either of my parents go, I will be changed forever.  Death always changes people whether it is expected or unexpected.  It's what you do with your life after the death that shows the world how you have changed.  Sometimes it's just not for the good.

On this day in WWII history

Thursday, May 18, 1944

Death complicates everything.  Not so much for the loved one who passed, but for the ones who remain.  Great-Grandma Shannon is learning a whole new way of life.  She doesn't have her husband to help her though.  She must depend on her daughters know how to traverse this quickly changing world.  Women are woking outside the home and taking on roles that were held by men for generations.  How does a person confront this ever-changing planet without their partner-in-crime beside them?  Grandma decides that flowers will bring Great-Grandma hope in this dark period of her life.

"I'm glad you liked your flowers.  I was so afraid they wouldn't be nice ones.  I think it was nice of everyone to come see you too."

Grandma lists the letter she has received upon her Father's passing.  Her favorite so far comes from her cousin Don Shannon.

"I got a letter from Don Shannon & he was somewhere in Brazil.  He told me how sorry he was to hear about Daddy.  He also is quite stuck on Beverly."

I believe Mom once told me that Don Shannon was the crazy cousin.  It's impressive to be classified as crazy in the insane asylum.

Somewhere in a box in Chicago, IL there are moving pictures of my Grandma and Grandpa before they were married.  My Grandparents met another couple on a train bound from Chicago to Miami.  I believe my Grandparents met each other on the same train from Chicago to Miami.  Not only did they meet the love of their lives, but they also made some shutterbug friends.  Let's hope this blog leads to those moving pictures.

"I still go out with Bud.  The people we met on the train leave today.  I hate to see them go, we had such a good time with them.  They took some moving pictures of us so I'm going to see them if I ever get to Chicago."

I hope Grandma got to see those moving pictures, or at least I hope I find out whoever those wonderful people were. 

Great-Grandma and her Girls

On this day in WWII history

Monday, May 15, 1944

Mother's Day past and Grandma did not receive a phone call or letter from her Mother thanking her for the flowers she wired to her.  However, it is only the day after Mother's Day so I am certain Grandma will receive word soon.

"Well, I hope you got the flowers that I wired to you & I hope they were nice."

Grandma spent Mother's Day with her future husband, Bud Robinson.  I'm not certain what Grandma has against the people Grandpa hangs out with, but she refers to them as those people.  I guess the answer will reveal itself in time.

"What did you do Mother's Day?  I went to the beach, over to those people's place.  Bud rented a car, a convertible, & last night we rode around & had a very good time."

The Navy is reviewing Grandma and Great-Grandma's application to see if Great-Grandma is eligible to receive an allotment from the Navy.  As an explanation: Great-Grandma is now dependent upon Grandma.  

"I had to put down on my application for your allotment that you had some income ... You will be getting your application soon."

Grandma and the Navy are both coming to Great-Grandma's aid as the Navy is taking a portion of the allotment out of Grandma's paycheck.  

The next page is filled with talk of Grandma's new watch.  What the band looks like, how she could not have it engraved, and she even draws the diameter of the watch to show her Mother.  I wondered why she was going to in such detail when she reminded me of some information:

"I wish I could have had it engraved, but I tell everyone that Daddy gave it to me, so they all know.  I only wish he could have seen it."

This watch was the last gift from her Father.  Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa sent her the money to purchase a new watch and he passed before she could show it off to him.  I know the watch brings comfort to Grandma in her grief.  However, I think Bud Robinson is the better cure for too much grief.

On this day in WWII history

Friday, May 12, 1944

It's my Great-Grandmother's first Mother's day without my Great-Grandfather.  I know that a husband's contribution on Mother's day is not as noticeable as their children's, but I'm certain that he was missed.  Grandma celebrates her mother as best as she can to make up for the distance and their loss.

"By the time you get this letter you will have received the flowers I sent you for Mother's Day.  I didn't have enough money to get you a real nice gift so I thought for the money I could spare the flowers would look the nicest.  I do hope you like them and are not disappointed with them.  Anyway, I know that you understand that still think you are the best Mother in the world anyhow.  Aren't you thrilled?"

This Mother's Day is also particularly harrowing for Grandma's roommate Beverly.  This is the first Mother's Day that Bev is without her mother.  Grandma is having a time of it but still feels compassion for Beverly's situation.

"I don't like to talk too much to Bev about it because she is still broken ip about her Mother's passing and it is hard for her to listen to my troubles.  This is her first Mother's Day without her but she is sending flowers for her grave.  I think Bev sent you a card, didn't she?"

I don't understand why Grandma doesn't reach out to Beverly because then she would have someone to relate to.  On can always find comfort in the shared misery of another human being.

Great Aunt Peggy sent letters from relative who reached out to the sisters.  They're a bittersweet gift for Grandma, as I can imagine they would be.

"I also got a letter from Peggy in which she enclosed a letter from Grandma, Aunt Elsie, Beverly Smith, and I guess that was all.  It made me feel so badly to read them.  It seems that it just brings Daddy's going back to me double fold.  But I still like to read them and see how much everyone thought of him.  I guess I was very lucky to have such a swell Dad for as long as I did, but somehow I never thought he would go."

No remember these letters were in my Great-Grandmother's possession.  She was so worried about my Grandma that she wrote in the margin:

"Maybe we better not send her any more letters."

This makes me shake my head at the 1944 version of my Great-Grandmother.  Life doesn't work that way.  

Although the letters are painful, it is always uplifting to discover that people held your relative in as high esteem as you did.  It makes a world of difference when you are grieving.  It helps you focus on the good times, and rejoice in them.  You have to move forward, but you always carry those memories close to your heart.

Great-Grandpa Shannon

On this day in WWII history