A few years ago, I mentioned a website and App called StoryCorps when I interviewed my maternal grandparents during the Great Listen that takes place every Thanksgiving. Well, today I wanted to share an interview that my husband made of his maternal grandparents for a 10th grade American History assignment in high school, using the StoryCorp program. He went to school in Jay, Oklahoma and the year of this interview is 1991. I hope you enjoy this 2 part series.
My husband has decided to return to school. I am beyond proud of him for this decision. He works a very physical hot job 40-50 hours a week and is going to school full time all for the betterment of himself and our family. One of his writing assignments is to write about a story he has been told. If he chooses this interview to write about and gives me permission, I may add it later as a guest post. Fingers crossed!
Until then,
Becky
Friday, September 14, 2018
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
When The World Stopped Turning
Yesterday was the Anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. For my own personal history I figured I should write a blog post about what I remember about that day. Where I lived, what transpired.
What I do remember is that this house held very few good memories. When we moved into this house I was about 2 months pregnant with Laney and Patrick was almost 2 years old. We were so poor while living in this house. The decision to move was a last minute one that Gaylan had made because he felt he had a brother that needed him closer. We argued a lot about this move, but ultimately I was told he was going and I could either come with him or stay. Having just learned I was pregnant, I chose to go. We didn't have the money to turn on the gas so if I needed hot water it had to be boiled in my crock pot and deep fryer and carried to the tub. We didn't have money for water either, but I'll save that story for another time. This house was also infested with roaches and what little food we could afford that wasn't meant for the refrigerator was locked up in the microwave. It was the tale end of summer when we lived there and it was SO hot. We had no air conditioning so the windows were always open. Every night at bedtime a skunk would come around and that coupled with terrible morning sickness kept me ill. I mentioned not having money, (we moved without him having a job and had saved just had enough money to rent this house and turn on the electricity) there were times all I could afford was a can or two of clam chowder from the Dollar General. I fed Patrick what he could eat and left the rest for Gaylan. As luck would have it, when we moved into this house the cord on our dryer didn't match the outlet in this house and -- no money -- so I would hang our clothes on the line. One day, because of starvation and heat, I'm sure, I was coming in from hanging our clothes and passed clean out on the front steps. Gaylan was never home, because he had finally gotten a job hauling logs from down in Louisiana. He would leave when it was dark and wouldn't get home until late. Our neighbor right across the street just happened to be outside and watched me fall. He came running just as I was coming to. He desperately wanted to call an ambulance but I knew we couldn't afford it (I hadn't even seen a doctor for my pregnancy yet, and wouldn't until I was 7 months along, for the same reason) so I convinced him I was okay. Throughout the course of the summer he would bring Popsicles over for Patrick to have. He also went and bought us a new cord for the dryer. I sure do wish I could remember his name, he was such a nice man. Anyway, without money, there was also no entertainment. I had construction paper and crayons and would teach Patrick his shapes and his letters and we had our TV and VCR for him to watch cartoons (Bob the Builder and Barney). We didn't have cable and no matter how hard I tried I couldn't get a signal for antenna TV or the radio. But I do remember that day in September, there was a knock on the door, it was my neighbor. He was out of breath from running and he had come to tell me the tragic news. I grabbed Patrick and we went to the bedroom where the alarm clock/radio was and I tried desperately to get a signal. I could get bits and pieces but it was mostly static. I didn't see the stories on the television of the bodies falling or of the towers collapsing; all of that came later every year on the anniversary of the event. I was in a way shielded from the terror. Which was a blessing because I'm not sure I could have handled much more stress at this point in my life.
We eventually moved from this house a month or so later to a trailer house in Center Point, AR, where we lived until Gaylan lost his job, about one month before I was due to give birth. His oldest brother who shared the same employer had been in a wreck and there were bad feelings that led to his unemployment. We really struggled during this time. My mom and dad paid my car payment and his sister sent money when she could to help, but we eventually had to leave. Several precious and personal belongings were left at that house. We lived with Gaylan's oldest brother for a time (God was really looking out for us with the timing of moving out of his brother's house -- again another story for another time) and then we lived with his Uncle Tom for about a week before I went into labor. For rent I would clean, cook, and wash and iron Tom's clothes and Gaylan worked with his cousins hauling chickens.
Most women gain 20-40 lbs during a pregnancy. I lost 9lbs. But God is good, and despite the lean times, Laney was born healthy. She did have to be kept in the nursery to get her body temp up, but not for very long. After we left the hospital we moved in with his parents where we lived until we managed to get back on our feet. Gaylan eventually went back to the job he had quit before we moved and we were able to rent an apartment on Meghan St. in Siloam Springs. I began baby-sitting and things were really good for a time.
I think I will stop for now.
Until next time,
Becky
P.S. My SIL also blogged about her 9/11 memories. You can see her post here: Stories for the Boys: Where Were You When The World Stop Turning?
The above picture is one I snagged from Google Maps. When I lived there the house was grey or blue, I just can't remember.
What I do remember is that this house held very few good memories. When we moved into this house I was about 2 months pregnant with Laney and Patrick was almost 2 years old. We were so poor while living in this house. The decision to move was a last minute one that Gaylan had made because he felt he had a brother that needed him closer. We argued a lot about this move, but ultimately I was told he was going and I could either come with him or stay. Having just learned I was pregnant, I chose to go. We didn't have the money to turn on the gas so if I needed hot water it had to be boiled in my crock pot and deep fryer and carried to the tub. We didn't have money for water either, but I'll save that story for another time. This house was also infested with roaches and what little food we could afford that wasn't meant for the refrigerator was locked up in the microwave. It was the tale end of summer when we lived there and it was SO hot. We had no air conditioning so the windows were always open. Every night at bedtime a skunk would come around and that coupled with terrible morning sickness kept me ill. I mentioned not having money, (we moved without him having a job and had saved just had enough money to rent this house and turn on the electricity) there were times all I could afford was a can or two of clam chowder from the Dollar General. I fed Patrick what he could eat and left the rest for Gaylan. As luck would have it, when we moved into this house the cord on our dryer didn't match the outlet in this house and -- no money -- so I would hang our clothes on the line. One day, because of starvation and heat, I'm sure, I was coming in from hanging our clothes and passed clean out on the front steps. Gaylan was never home, because he had finally gotten a job hauling logs from down in Louisiana. He would leave when it was dark and wouldn't get home until late. Our neighbor right across the street just happened to be outside and watched me fall. He came running just as I was coming to. He desperately wanted to call an ambulance but I knew we couldn't afford it (I hadn't even seen a doctor for my pregnancy yet, and wouldn't until I was 7 months along, for the same reason) so I convinced him I was okay. Throughout the course of the summer he would bring Popsicles over for Patrick to have. He also went and bought us a new cord for the dryer. I sure do wish I could remember his name, he was such a nice man. Anyway, without money, there was also no entertainment. I had construction paper and crayons and would teach Patrick his shapes and his letters and we had our TV and VCR for him to watch cartoons (Bob the Builder and Barney). We didn't have cable and no matter how hard I tried I couldn't get a signal for antenna TV or the radio. But I do remember that day in September, there was a knock on the door, it was my neighbor. He was out of breath from running and he had come to tell me the tragic news. I grabbed Patrick and we went to the bedroom where the alarm clock/radio was and I tried desperately to get a signal. I could get bits and pieces but it was mostly static. I didn't see the stories on the television of the bodies falling or of the towers collapsing; all of that came later every year on the anniversary of the event. I was in a way shielded from the terror. Which was a blessing because I'm not sure I could have handled much more stress at this point in my life.
We eventually moved from this house a month or so later to a trailer house in Center Point, AR, where we lived until Gaylan lost his job, about one month before I was due to give birth. His oldest brother who shared the same employer had been in a wreck and there were bad feelings that led to his unemployment. We really struggled during this time. My mom and dad paid my car payment and his sister sent money when she could to help, but we eventually had to leave. Several precious and personal belongings were left at that house. We lived with Gaylan's oldest brother for a time (God was really looking out for us with the timing of moving out of his brother's house -- again another story for another time) and then we lived with his Uncle Tom for about a week before I went into labor. For rent I would clean, cook, and wash and iron Tom's clothes and Gaylan worked with his cousins hauling chickens.
Most women gain 20-40 lbs during a pregnancy. I lost 9lbs. But God is good, and despite the lean times, Laney was born healthy. She did have to be kept in the nursery to get her body temp up, but not for very long. After we left the hospital we moved in with his parents where we lived until we managed to get back on our feet. Gaylan eventually went back to the job he had quit before we moved and we were able to rent an apartment on Meghan St. in Siloam Springs. I began baby-sitting and things were really good for a time.
I think I will stop for now.
Until next time,
Becky
P.S. My SIL also blogged about her 9/11 memories. You can see her post here: Stories for the Boys: Where Were You When The World Stop Turning?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)