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6/18/2010

66 years and counting. Still.

Yesterday, the 17th, was the 66th anniversary of the day my Mother and Father married. It's something to note, I suppose, that she still keeps score. But at the moment, she's in the hospital, and has been for several days.

We aren't quite sure what's going on. The Doctors haven't given us a firm diagnosis. Whatever it is that has her down isn't being real obvious. But she's not a quitter. She'll hang in and she'll beat whatever this is. She wants to be here on December 21st, 2012. And by God, she will be.

In 1945, as the war was winding down, my Mom and Dad were in New Jersey. Dad was stationed at Fort Dix and was TAD (Temporary Additional Duty) to the new computer installation at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. And Mom was working at a factory, packing .50 caliber machine gun rounds and Hand Grenades. And she was pregnant with me. The War ended in August. I was born in September, in Middlesex County Hospital, New Brunswick, New Jersey. That's why I've always been a secret Rutgers fan - the University is right there. At the ripe age of 6 months, when I didn't have too much say about the way things went in the family, we moved back home to Chicago. By the time I was two, we had moved in with my Grandparents. My Dad aspired to becoming a Professional Ball Player, and living at home gave him a base to operate from. (Those dreams were dashed when an exploding machine blew him down a stairwell and tore up his knee.) Mom had gotten a job at the Phone Company as an Operator on nights - she would progress, over the years, and retire from the Phone Company 35 years later.

She's led a long and interesting life. But she's not done yet. Not by a long shot.

She's just a little scared right now. And in a way, I can't blame her. But she's tough and she's determined. She wants to be here to see the end of the Mayan Calendar. She wants to see what happens. I keep telling her that it's just going to be one day leading into the next. She, however, is convinced that the recent spate of earthquakes we've seen here, on Good Mother Earth, are a precursor to the events of that coming time, when the Sun lines up with the Galactic Center. Okay, Mom. Anything you say. Just as long as you're here for me to say "I told you so".

Ndinombethe.

14 comments:

NicoleB, Egypt said...

Hope she gets well very soon!
She must be such an amazing person :)
Now she made me look forward to that day too, I didn't know about it before :D

Tara R. said...

I'll keep her and your family in my thoughts.

OHmommy said...

Oh no Lou. Hoping everything will be okay. Sending prayers and much love.

Expat No. 3699 said...

I hope she's feeling better soon and gets back home.

BTW, yesterday was my parent's anniversary too.

Mrs F with 4 said...

Oh my goodness, 66 years of ANYTHING is amazing. Best wishes to Grannie... and to you and Annie too. Be sure you take care of YOURSELVES, too.

Audubon Ron said...

Hope your mom gets better.

Big Mark 243 said...

I first thought of John Wooden and his Nellie. I recall a story about how he would write her a letter once a week, changing to once a month when she preceeded him into the great beyond.

My SFC is from Jersey and had to post at Ft Dix for a bit. Man... it is such a small world!

I am anxious for 2012 to come. There are a lot of older stuff that I have snatches of memories that dealt with such things as 'galactic alignments' and what they meant. The one that left the strongest impression was in an X-Men comic.

Your Mom is from that greatest generation. Once they set their mind on something, consider it done. I am sure you will be able to tell her 'I told you so!' 22/12/2012!

Maggie Moo said...

I'm really sorry to hear that your Mom is down right now-I'll say a prayer tonight that she's on her feet and well again soon.

Secret Agent Mama said...

Thinking of you all. XO

Heather said...

sending prayers to your mom! i hope that she's back to normal soon!

Hockeymandad said...

Oh dear, I hope she is ok. Sending thoughts and prayers for a healthy recovery.

Joyce-Anne said...

I also hope that your mom is up and around and feeling better soon. I'll keep you and your mom and your family in my thoughts.

Unknown said...

To all of you - each and every one - Thank you. From me. And from Mom.

PattiKen said...

Somehow I missed this one. Your Mom sounds like a really strong lady. Hand grenades while pregnant. Wow. I know she will prevail now.

P.S. It's pretty unusual for twins to be born a month apart, but maybe I was premature. I've been premature about a lot of things in my life, so I'm sure that's it.