75 Years Strong~

 It was a beautiful, if chilly windy morning here in SW Iowa, land of my birth.  Five years have already flown by since the last time I posted regarding a milestone birthday.

This morning, I opened my grandmother's cedar chest, something I haven't done in a long while.  Inside are throws I've crocheted over the years & a variety of mementos.  (The word memento is defined as something that reminds us of a memory, a reminder of something past, or what is to come, a souvenir.)

Mom's~

Two of the throws were made for my parents, one for Dad & one for Mom.  (Never did I dream back in the years I worked on them & gave them as gifts; they would ever return to my hands... But they have.) Two more, one for each of the girls.  Now, I plan to give them to our grandchildren.

My favorite items are the oldest.

My first dresses~

I'm sure each grandmother contributed one & my mother the third.  When my sister & I were going through Mom's things & we found these in her cedar chest, labeled - I discovered there's a reason I've always like fur!

My fur stole with Ermine tips~

Mom didn't leave a note as to who gave this to me, but I'm so thankful she was thoughtful enough to keep it for me.

My "Indian Girl" dance costume~

The most heartbreaking time of my early years in Greenfield, was attached to the above costume Mom hand made for me.  I was probably about four & was taking both tap dancing & ballet classes.  A huge program was planned & I had the role of one of the "Indian Girls"!  I was so ready & constantly practiced for my important part!  Mom was an expert seamstress & my costume was one of the finest.

Just a day or so before the big evening, I went to bed then woke sick with a tummy ache.  I remember lying in bed hurting as my groans of pain woke Mom.  She came in; gave me a baby aspirin & put a cold cloth on my head.  When my pain only became worse, Dad came in.  They decided I was going to the Doctor in town the following morning.  The Doctor told my parents to take me to the hospital in Creston as fast as possible.  I had appendicitis.  The next thing I remember is being in a big white room & the Doctor covering my nose with ether.  

I woke so sick!  The smell of ether is one I will never forget & hope to never smell again!  My first question was to ask if I could still participate in the program?  It was that night & no I could not!  My costume went unused & into the cedar chest.  I remember all my friends coming to visit me & lots of gifts, but the disappointment lasted a long time.

2/10/1955 

Another walk back in time!