It's that time of the year....

It's that time of the year....

Friday, March 14, 2014

Memories are made of this….

While reading a wonderful post yesterday by Susie S  I started thinking about growing up with 7 siblings quite a long time ago, although at times it seems like only yesterday.

I am number 6 of 8 children.  Our family was very poor. While I was growing up  I wasn’t overly concerned about this because most of the kids I went to school with came from a poor family too.  Our entertainment came from being barefoot and playing softball in the street on warm summer evenings.  The days were pretty full with household tasks.

Mom always had a big garden and we spent long hours in the summer time working in it.  Mom made us sun bonnets to wear.  The garden work fell mostly on my next older sister, my younger sister and me.  My 2 older sisters had married young and left home.  This in itself brings back a memory for me that is hard to remember but it is always there.  When my next to the oldest sister married and left home I remember dreaming almost every night about her.  The dream was nothing but the color of orange and thoughts of her.  You see she had always been like a second mother to me and I was broken hearted when she left home.

I can remember when she was dying of lung cancer quite a few years ago that Jim and I would try to get across the state to visit her as often as we could.  I can remember her saying to her husband that she and I were always ‘tight.’  I was her little sister and I was special to her and she was special to me.

My mother did not have an easy time of it.  It was hard for her to be able to put enough together to feed us all.  I remember many a meal of cornbread and milk.  I also remember the rows and rows of lima beans spread out to dry on newspapers in the attic.  We had planted those seeds and picked and shelled those beans.  Many things I had to eat as a child such as dandelion and turnip greens, spinach, wilted lettuce, etc. I will not touch to this day.  I do love lima beans though.

My younger sis, my next older sis and I were always close.  Just writing these words is bringing tears to my eyes.  I lost my next older sister to pancreatic cancer in December 1997.  She would always call me each morning about 6 AM and to this day when my phone rings early in the morning I think of her.

I miss my brothers and sisters that are gone and my mom and daddy!  My youngest brother was just diagnosed on Wednesday with a mass in his stomach.  He is to see a surgeon on Tuesday.  My niece and brother in law in WV are not doing well either.  My mind is in a turmoil and I am praying a lot for them.  I would be so grateful if you would join me with a prayer or  a kind thought.

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

27 comments:

  1. i am sorry for your losses and worries. bless you and yours, beth.

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  2. I certainly will join with you in prayer, Beth.
    God bless you all.

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  3. Beth, we had wonderful times because we had each other. You always had a sister or brother to take care of you. I am so glad you are my sister.

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  4. My thoughts and prayers are with your younger brother, Beth. Have they confirmed if the mass is malignant or benign yet?

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  5. Even though those are bittersweet memories, they are memorable ones and thank you for sharing. Some people don't even have one memory of when they were young and some have only bad memories. Memories matter.

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  6. You were blessed with a large family, as was I, there is always someone to lean on. I am so sorry for your losses, and I will send prayers out to your loved ones. Your memories are precious, thank you for sharing them.

    XO,
    Jane

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  7. Beth- I think the worst part of loving someone so dearly is what happens when you lose them. It is the biggest heartbreak of life, isn't it?

    What a memory of your childhood and growing up in a big family. I can tell how much you miss your sisters and family. I will pray for all of you, Beth. God bless you. xo Diana

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  8. Hearing your pain breaks my heart. What precious memories and so difficult losing those you love. I've heard my mama and daddy say, "We were poor, but everybody else was too." Prayers, sweet friend. Praying God will bring comfort to you as you face the days ahead with your brother.

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  9. oh Beth I am so sorry for your loss and worries, you have ha such a hard time, I wish I was closer you sound like a hug is on order, I will keep you an your family in my prayers,

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  10. I'm praying. What precious family memories you have, Beth.

    Love,
    Janie

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  11. Oh Beth, of course I will pray for them. Praying they all regain good health. My mom used to make a dish of rice and milk...ugh to this day I cringe a bit when I am reminded of it.
    Blessings, Joanne

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  12. My thoughts and prayers are definitely being offered for all in need, Beth. Sending hugs! xo Nellie

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  13. Beth, My heart is hurting for you. Too many sad things at one time, it's hard to take. Your family will be in my prayers.
    I think about food we had as a kid and there's things I won't eat again. Blessings , xoxo,Susie

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  14. I am so sorry for your many losses . . . I hope sweet memories may bless you!

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  15. You know Beth, life just happens to us...when things are good, they are oh SO GOOD...when bad things happen, it changes who we are. I can empathize with you about missing your parents and siblings....so do I....everyday. Somehow we must gain strength to get through difficult days....I will say a prayer for you and your brother. Many blessings to you!

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  16. The joys of large families also mean bearing the burdens. I hope that the joys outweigh the sorrows. I am saying a prayer for comfort and for a good outcome for your brother. Keep looking up...

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  17. Oh Beth I am so sorry you have so much to carry with you. I am the oldest of 10 and I never thought of my little sisters ever thinking that of me but I am sure it is true because I worry about them all the time. I will be praying for your brother and sending hugs to you. B

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  18. Beth this was such a touching and heartfelt post. It has touched me. I felt the pain of loss in your words.
    Bless you Beth.

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  19. it must be bitter sweet to write this story beth. i hope it felt good in a way to tell it. big families are the best, no one makes them anymore!!

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  20. Prayers for your and your family. Thank you for sharing your family memories. Families truly are forever.

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  21. I will pray for you and your family, Beth. Life can be so difficult sometimes. But God is with us and he will help and comfort us. You certainly have had your trials. May it all be better in the future. That is a beautiful though a bit sad story. Hugs. Bertie

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  22. Sorry to read about your family passing. I hope your brother will be alright.
    Thanks for sharing part of your childhood.
    Keep warm..

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  23. Oh Beth such a wonderful heartfelt post, I do hope your Brother will be alright.
    Prayers for your loved one's.
    Hugs Sheila x

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  24. Yes, I will pray.
    Even though there is sadness in your post it is also one of love. Your childhood sounds wonderful to me. I am an only child and would loved to have brothers and sisters. I'm happy that you have such great memories.

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  25. Prayers for you and all of them.

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  26. I cannot imagine the pain of losing a sibling who you are close to because I have not been through such pain I am the oldest of 5 and we are all still alive and we see each other pretty much every week

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  27. Hi Beth, Just catching up on your blogs, I think I may have missed some. Will be praying for you. Cancer is such a horrible disease, it is a cause close to my heart at the moment also. Memories can be bitter sweet can't they, hope you will get better news soon. I see from your latest blog winter has returned, not good news. It is spring like here and although we do have a few problems going on around us, the sun shining, flowers blooming and birds singing, somehow makes it easier to cope. God has shown me much in the last week or so and made me very aware of His Presence, I pray He will do the same for you and your family. Hugs Nita

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