Love Letters

Source

The other day, while my Mom was going through some things, she came across some love letters that my Dad had written to her while they were dating back in 1961. The tenderness and love these letters conveyed was heartwarming and now that he is gone, it makes them so much more special.

Nowadays, in this world of technology, hand written love letters are almost unheard of. Love letters can now be emailed, faxed, and even sent overnight to lovers separated by oceans and continents.

The problem with an email is that it's not tangible. You can't pick it up and feel the weight of the paper, or smell it, or trace the curve of the handwriting. You can tell so much about a person from their handwriting. An electronic font will never replicate that.

Throughout history, the love letter has allowed us to reveal our true feelings, keep close when far away from home and rekindle the flame when love is no longer new. It's the glue in the book of romance.

The love letter has been composed and treasured for centuries and the earliest may perhaps be the Bible’s Song of Solomon.  But, as a literary form, the love letter probably began in the early Renaissance. The Age of Chivalry produced a series of discreet correspondences that were based on chaste compliments and excessive self-deprecation of courtly love.

In the early eighteenth century, love letters became much more personal, showing tenderness, charm, and even humor.

The nineteenth century spawned the great private love letters of Beethovan to his “Immortal Beloved”, as well as the literary romance of poets Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett.

Clearly, the love letter has evolved through the ages, only to become more treasured and meaningful in the present day.

In this hurried, often thoughtless world, a love letter shows that someone cares enough to carve out time, to sit, be present with his or her thoughts and emotions, and then to commit those feelings to paper.

So, why don't you give it a try?  Put pen to paper and write your feelings down for your loved one.  I think it will be appreciated, and may even be reciprocated.  Then, in the years that follow, it will be a treasured remembrance of your great love.

Please Excuse Me

Some of you already know that I lost my Father a few weeks ago, but most of you probably did not know and may have been wondering where I have been. Well, here I am, sitting in this fog of grief.

Even though my Dad's death was expected, this is so hard, I never imagined how hard it could or would be, especially for this Daddy's Girl. I am finding it hard to function other than just going through the motions of my day to day life. I put on a good front that I am ok, but deep down inside I constantly ache. I struggle to remember simple things, let alone put two sentences together in some semblance of coherency. So bare with me, please, as I struggle my way back into the land of the living. I know that I am capable, strong, and resilient, I just need time.

It would be very easy to just lie in bed, pull the covers over my head and let the world go by, but my dad would come back from the afterlife and really let me have it. I know that he would want me to go on—to live my life. Isn't that what the grieving process is about, learning to live my life, not without my dad, but with him in my memories, in the traditions and love that I pass on to my children and grandchildren, and especially through the love that I still feel for my dad.

But where do I start, how do I find my way out of this grief, my way through the holidays without my father, and the strength to help my mother, siblings, and my children do the same.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4

I certainly don't feel blessed because I am mourning. I took a hard look at the last part of the verse: "for they shall be comforted." That means God will provide comfort when I'm hurting so badly I feel like I can't take another breath. He will sustain me and carry me through this time. He will provide what I need.  So I go to Him for my comfort and am blessed for it.  And I'm truly blessed for having had a father who taught me to turn to God for my needs and comfort.

So please excuse me while I take some time to grieve the loss of my Dad.  I will still post periodically, when I feel inspired, and hope to once again be filling these pages with vintage cheer very soon.

My Parents Anniversary

My parents in 1961, the year they were married.

This past Monday marked my parents 52nd anniversary.  We did not celebrate because my Dad is currently in the hospital and, in fact, the day totally slipped my mind.  But as I remembered this morning, I thought it only fitting that I pay tribute to their great marriage that yielded four children and to date 20 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.  So I hope you enjoy some photographs of some of their years together.

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad

The newlyweds with one of my cousins.

My parents in 1962, mom is expecting my sister.

Mom and Dad in 1962.

My parents in the early 60s

Mom and Dad in the mid 60s

My parents with my brother in 1978

My parents and my brother in 1979

Mom and Dad in 1987

Mom and Dad in 1998

My parents in 2009

TVs 5 Greatest Dads

In honor of Father's Day, I have listed 5 of my picks for best TV dad. They aren't ranked into any particular order, all of them are equally great in my mind, and are from shows long since ended but still living on in re-run heaven.

Andy Taylor - The Andy Griffeth Show ran from 1960 - 1968 but lives forever in syndication and I'm sure everyone is familiar with Andy's fathering skills. He was a great dad because he was involved in Opie's life, teaching him right from wrong and disciplining when necessary. The lessons involved life, love, and everything between, with Andy imparting a lot of useful wisdom. Plus he always made time to take Opie fishing! 

 

Charles Ingalls - Little House on the Prairie ran from 1974 - 1983. Charles "Pa" was father to Mary, Laura, Carrie and Grace and in later episodes also adopted several children. The show is loosely based on the books written by Laura Ingalls Wilder about her family life in the 19th century American West. Charles cherished his family as well as his wife. I feel that part of being a good father is teaching your children to treat their mother well, and what better way than to lead by example.

 

Howard Cunningham - Happy Days aired from 1974 - 1984. Howard handed out his parenting, not only to his children, but also to their friends. He was stern but loving, generous but not over indulgent, teaching values and letting his children learn from their mistakes. He was always available, making time whenever his kids needed him.

 

Ben Cartwright - Bonanza aired from 1959 - 1973. Ben had three sons, all from a different wife which passed away, so he was raising his boys on his own. (Well, there was Hop Sing, the cook, but mostly Ben was alone.) He taught his boys the importance of family and caring for one another as well as the importance of community and helping others.

 

Ozzie Nelson - The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet ran from 1952 - 1966 and starred the real life Nelson family. While the series focused mainly on the family's run of the mill problems and was the epitomy of family values with Ozzie handing out great advice, what truly makes him a wonderful dad in my mind isn't really about the fictional father that Ozzie portrayed, but the real life Ozzie who came up with the shows concept because he was a busy bandleader and wanted a way to be able to spend more time with his family, more time being a husband and father.


And that's really what parenting is all about, spending time with your kids, being there for them, teaching them right from wrong, teaching them to love each other and to treat others with respect, and to have compassion for others. And to remember to have fun and enjoy the life you have.

Happy Birthday To My Man

Today is the Mister's 60th birthday! I thought it would be interesting to learn what was taking place in 1953 so I did a little research and this is what I came up with. First, I found a site that told exactly what was happening on the day of his birth:

It was Friday, under the sign of Taurus. The US president was Dwight D. Eisenhower (Republican). In that special week of April people in US were listening to The Doggie in the Window by Patti Page. In UK, I Believe by Frankie Laine was in the top 5 hits. The War of the Worlds, directed by Byron Haskin, was one of the most successful movies released in 1953.

I was still interested in what else happened the year he was born so I looked further and found out that the Chevy Corvette was invented that year.

From Here To Eternity was released that year and went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture the following year, with Donna Reed winning Best Supporting Actress and Frank Sinatra winning Best Supporting Actor from the same movie.

Roman Holiday was also released that year and Audrey Hepburn took home the Best Actress Oscar for her role as Princess Ann.

In April 1953, Ian Fleming's first James Bond novel, Casino Royale, was published in the U.K.

On June 2, 1953, the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II took place at Westminster Abbey.

On June 19, 1953, American Communists Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were executed for conspiracy to commit espionage.

In December 1953, Hugh Hefner published the first issue of Playboy magazine, which featured Marilyn Monroe on the cover.

Wow!  What a year!  So many things that are icons today were just starting then. And best of them all, my husband was born.  Happy Birthday dear!

Stressed!

Lately, I have been a little frazzled...well, ok, a lot frazzled.  I have some major stressors in my life at the moment and most days I just want to go to my bedroom and crawl into bed and hide, but I can't.  There are people counting on me to get up and function as a human being.  Darned responsibilities!

I have been dreaming of a stress free life.  Literally, I have dreams of sitting on a dock, the sun streaming down on me, and my toes dangling in cool water.  

And yes, in all of these dreams, I am THIN and either wearing a vintage bikini or shorts and a cute midriff shirt.

I also dream of escaping to a serene cabin deep into the mountains, far from civilization.  I think I just want to run away and hide from everyone and everything.

I yearn for a simple life with peace and tranquility.  I pray for it, wish for it, and dream of it.

Will I get it?  No time soon, I'm sure, because I am a working woman, a mother of six, a grandmother of soon to be eight, and have a father with a terminal illness.  But a girl can dream, can't she?

Valentine Cards

The rose is red, the violet's blue,

The honey's sweet, and so are you.

Thou art my love and I am thine;

I drew thee to my Valentine:

The lot was cast and then I drew,

And Fortune said it shou'd be you.

Gammer Gurton's Garland (1784)

Happy Valentine's Day!  I have read that the Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately one billion valentine cards are sent world-wide each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year behind Christmas.  Wow!  That's a lot of love!

Looking through some vintage Valentine cards, it struck me that many of them would be considered inappropriate, sexist, racist, and downright creepy by today's standards.  Here are some examples of such cards.

Remember that the worm may turn -
You'd better treat me right..Tho' you're the apple of my eye -
There's others still in sight!

You ain't so mild little girl, but you certainly satisfy!

Hey Valentine!  Have you burned out your clutch?
You don't take hold like you used to.

Some likes light girls, some likes dark girls, but all I wants is a good cook.

Your coldness gave me the flew.

The point is will you be my Valentine or I'll nail you yet, my Valentine

Now or Never Will you be my Valentine

Be my Valentine little one - or I will have to use my gun.

I ain't kidding Valentine - I'd like to kidnap you!

It's "loaded" but only with love......for you, Valentine

Why the Frigid-Aire Valentine?  I'm ready to be de-frosted

I'm out hunting for a Valentine.  Are you game?

My Valentine, Can't I bring you to your knees too?  Love me

Baby, you sure play havoc with my heart.

You built a wall so fast and strong,
But with my magic ray, it won't last long!

Snow use - I love you Valentine!

Your "frigid air" is not so nice,
don't treat me like a cake of ice!

Let's come to the point - Be My Valentine

If you wanta be mine, fork over your heart

I won't let go until you say yes, kid.

Now will you be my valentine?

I'm bound to be yours if you'll be mine

I'd snap you up if you said be my valentine

You're sweet enough to eat, my Valentine

It "strikes me" that I love you.

Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages, and the oldest known Valentine is one by Charles, Duke of Orleans which he wrote to his wife while imprisoned in the Tower of London after his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. The poem, written in 1415, is now part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England. Several years later, it is believed King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to comprise a valentine for Catherine of Valois. 

The first commercial Valentine's Day greeting cards produced in the U.S. were created in the 1840s by Esther A. Howland. Howland, known as the Mother of the Valentine, made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as "scrap".

The Howland Family operated the largest book and stationery store in Worcester, Massachusetts. After graduating at the age of nineteen, Esther received an intricate English Valentine from one of her fathers' business acquaintances, and she was sure that she was capable of making similar or even better ones.  Persuading her father to order lace paper and other supplies from England and New York City, she made a dozen samples, which her brother added to his catalog for his next sales trip. Hoping for as much as $200 in orders, they were shocked when her brother returned with more than $5,000 in advance sales.
Designing and creating these unforgettable cards required creativity and inspiration. The finished products suggested fantasy and romance, and set trends for more than thirty years. While other companies competed for sales to the public, none could compete with the value, taste, and style of Esther Howland. She was not the first to create Valentines in America, but she is credited with having popularized the lace Valentine, turning it into a major industry. The honor, "The Mother of the American Valentine" first appeared in a newspaper article shortly after her death. 

I'm sure the beauty and suggested romance of her cards are a far cry from those shown here!  One has to wonder what type of relationship the recipients of these cards had with the givers.  Ahh, love is a many splendored thing!

{All images were found using Google Image.  If they belong to you, let me know and I will link them back to you.}