Our numbers have dwindled down to 'a precious few'. I'm the last of the first family still able to look back over the past and be amazed at all that we have experienced and enjoyed. Kind of makes me set up and take notice all over again. I guess you could say we came and went in an organized fashion. Thinking about it, I was a bit surprised. Maybe you will be as well?
First came John Charles Smith born in England 7th October 1898 he came to the United States when he was about 7 years old. Lived with his father and step mother in East Liverpool, Columbiana County, Ohio. It was there he met Edith Annie Hall (in genealogy research I discovered her listed as
Annie Edith Hall) born in Springhill, Warren County, Iowa 11th February 1902. Edith had moved with her family when she was around 9 months of age to East Liverpool, Columbiana, Ohio. John, or J.C. as he was listed on the marriage registry married Edith 21st October 1920.
The marriage was blessed with three children: Ralph Evron (his second name was chosen from the telephone directory) born 4th September 1921; Ronald Charles born 6th November 1924 (Mom always called him FUZZ - but couldn't remember why) and finally Eileen Charmaine born 7th February 1929.
Notice the birthdates - John the 7th and Edith the 11th. Ralph the 4th, Ronald the 6th and Eileen the 7th.
Now for the deaths: John passed away on the 19th July 1955; Edith on the 11th August 1984; Ralph on the 3rd of June 1995 then Ronald on the 24th of December 2012. The dates aren't progressive, but all passed away in the order they were born. One very interesting note is that John died as the result of an auto accident in which Edith was very serious injuried, but survivied. However, it was noticed by Eileen following Edith's passing that she had passed away 6 months after her 83rd birthday in room 719 - the date that John had died 29 years earlier.
Ralph passed away 2 years before his wife, while Ronald passed away 25 years after his first wife. Ralph left a family of two grown children, Ronald left a family of 5 grown children. At this written, Eileen has survived her husband Jay by 9 years and their son Paul by 2 years. She and Dawn their daughter still representing the Rosenberg side of the family. There will however not be any posterity bearing that sir name, as Paul never had any children.
John and Ralph were both bright and inventive. They worked on a number of projects together, which held a great deal of promise, but neither lived to see any of their ideas come to be. I notice now that their idea of advanced drafting is now covered with the Computer age, turning sea water into drinking water is being done successfully and solar power is now available.
The notebook with all of their drawings and basic notes was never found after the accident, so we have no idea what happened to it.
Ronald, and Ralph as well were both trained as printers. Ralph followed after John as an machinist. John ended up as a Model maker and was working on the ship that would carry man into outerspace at the time of his death. He was well known as 'Capt. John' to the engineers he worked with on the project. Dearly loved and remembered with the purchase of some valueable books that are now housed in the Huntington Library in Pasadena, California in his memory. Ralph, following his service in the Second World War varied his occupation between machinist and printing. He was more a 'jack of all trades' you might say. Ronald was a printer for many years in the Newspaper publishing business then branched out into maintainence machinst then finally a Warehouseman for a Bank. He retired from that and moved to Oregon where he enjoyed being with his family.
Fortunately I spent one of the last months of Ronald's life with him. We had a wonderful visit and a great many moments of family stories and of the many experiences he had when he was in Australia being hospitalized with his malaria. Those moments will ever shine in my memory. That an of course the darling stove he bought while I was with him that looked like a minature fireplace. Every evening before we sat down to dinner he would make sure it was turned on so we could have some 'atmosphere'. It was a joke, but very warming as well.
I believe what I will carry close to my heart from that time is the way Ronald talked about his two wives and how 'lucky' he concidered himself for having had them in his life. He continually spoke about how good his children had been to him. A man who really never intented to or really wanted children, but how very much they ment to him. His middle son
lived with him most of time and he appreciated the help he gave in keeping things in order. 'Shorty' who was Jeannie was a continual joy to Ronald they had what would appear on the surface as a constant struggle, I realized talking to him that it was his odd way of loving her for all she did for him. I guess men are a great deal like that. They love, but want things their way even when they don't have control over things. Ronald I believe found it hard to show his true feelings to anyone most of the time. I know he looked to his oldest son Bill as his rock. The person who seemed to be there and willing to carry out the plans he so longed to have done. His health was not co-operative the last few years of his life, and having Bill and his son Andy step in and do the work so beautifully brought a great deal of pride and joy to Ronald. I am not sure he always showed how much it really ment to him. Mary his great grand daughter was so loving and came regularly and gave Ronald manicures and pedicures. He told me how good his hands and arms and feet and legs felt after she was finished. He did so appreciate her talent and willingness to be with him. Things I am sure he never expressed to her or the other members of the family as he did to me. He worried over Connie and Bob. Connie because of her being so easily hurt, carrying her heart, as he put it, on her sleve. Bob because he couldn't get a grip on his life and take advantage of his many talents. His desire was for both Jay and Bob could have a better control, but knew there was nothing he could do about it personally. We may love our children, but they must find their own way.
The holiday will ever be a reminder that the parents who were loved were to leave, one before Christmas and the other after. There seems to be little sence in such a thing, but then that is life, and how things are.
Those things that we can control, are the things that we need to be involved with. Those things that we cannot need to be viewed as our challenges. We have no need to give into them, we have only to gain strength from the problems they produce. We may feel like avoiding them will help, while that is not always the case. Giving into all the stress and problems only add to our own discomfort. We can do only what we can do.
The family is growing smaller, the time is ticking, and opportunities are growing less and less - let us move forward with the love that we share and the hope that lays just beyond the horizon. This life was never ment to be a cake walk. Rather it was given to help us learn about ourselves and appreciate those things we can or cannot do. My favorite saying:
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up totally worn out, and saying . . . WOW . . .What a ride!!!!!
"So it is written, so shall it be!"
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Friday, December 7, 2012
It is Christmas Time Again!
The year is 2012 - December has again rolled around and we are all busy with the preparations for the Holiday that this month brings with it. The weather has been a bit rainy this year, which is not all that common, but more than welcome to say the least. The lights have been up since the day after Thanksgiving, thanks to my Home Teachers so the house takes on a look and feeling that goes along with the season.
I have a tree up on the front porch that shows through the side window and tells those who may be interested that the inside is also ready for the Holiday! In fact I have two more trees up in the Living Room. Now how about that for being ready.
All the gifts for the out of state Great Grand Children were left in Arizona for delivery by the Farley Grand Parents which was a real bonus for the family this year. That means all the young ones will be decked out with their Christmas Eve night wear so that they can be "charming" for those Christmas Morning Pictures that everyone so dearly love.
Speaking about Arizona, I had such a wonderful time while I was there with Dawn and Greg. Their new Home in lovely, and it was fun to visit with the
Farley Family. We had all decended on Mesa to see and listen to the Choir that Curtis was singing with. What a delightful evening it was. Nearly 400 singers in a number of different Choirs participating, and the way they were able to move on an off the stage for their part of the program was a real delight to watch. The big thing for me was that not one of the groups had a folder or binder with music. Every piece was totally memorized, even the young children - that was amazing. I am thrilled to have a CD of the program and will enjoy listening to it while I go around with my friends this next week. Really put all of us in the Holiday Spirit.
Along with that wonderful Concert we were able to enjoy (an under-statement) the lights at the Phoenix Zoo. What an unbelievable adventure that was. We were greeted with a life size Lion made out of lights and a beautiful Peacock before we ever got into the Zoo. After that it was just
on wonderful eyeful after another. The huge Butterflies in the Trees that were flapping their wings was just one of the things that we marveled over. The light show on the lake set to the best Music was another eye popper.
All the live animals were safely put to bed and we were treated to the prowling of animals in lights. Of course they moved in slow motion as one stance was illuminated after another as they moved through the brush.
I think we were all amazed at the tear drop lights that gave appearance of rain, and the multi colored tree took everyones eye. A great deal of blue and purple lights made for a very interesting sight as we wondered what seemed like miles. I enjoyed every minute of the time we were there.
To finish off the evening we watched as Curtis and Chris took their little daughters on the Merry-Go-Round. Pictures were taken of as much as we were interested in to save, and of course the young ones on the Merry-go-round were more prized than the rest.
As much as we were interested in the lights at the Zoo, they were not more spectacular than the ones at the Mesa, Arizona Temple. We went there the next evening, and it was breath taking. We didn't stay to hear the 7:00 pm
concert by a Choir, but I am sure it was equally as wonderful as all we saw
on Temple Square. Some folks across the street were taking advantage of the crowds that attend by selling hot chocolate and hot cider. It was chilly so I am sure a great many of the visitors would wonder across to get a cup
of one or the other to warm them. I over heard one of the visitors asking a guide where a certain scene was this year. It appears as they add to the show they move things around. They have so much going on that it is a wonder they can get it all set up, and don't blow a fuse some place or another.
Well I guess you could say that this will be a banner year for the Christmas Season for me. Tonight is Sing Noel in the San Luis Obispo Stake Center and I will be there to help with what ever they need before, during and after their performance. It is always such a great program, and so many local folks look forward to it. Tomorrow night is Vine Street Victorian Walk and so the second performance of Sing Noel will be Sunday Night. I hope they
have a great turn out. The Choir is much smaller this year than we have had in the past, but it is none the less good. The blend has been outstanding, and the Solo music is something to make everyone tear up. We are so fortunate to have such a great group of singers and behind the scene people to do such a great job putting this program together. I am happy to be part of it in such a small way.
As I end this little Holiday piece, I hope it will brighten those who read it and will make their Christmas just a little more special knowing that the Birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, sets such lovely things into motion and that so many thousands of people can visit, enjoy and feel the spirit that such things bring into our lives. I hope that some of those feelings will spill over into the New Year and find hearts willing, and minds inspired to live and love as Jesus would have us do.
To one all Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year -
from Grandma Rosenberg
I have a tree up on the front porch that shows through the side window and tells those who may be interested that the inside is also ready for the Holiday! In fact I have two more trees up in the Living Room. Now how about that for being ready.
All the gifts for the out of state Great Grand Children were left in Arizona for delivery by the Farley Grand Parents which was a real bonus for the family this year. That means all the young ones will be decked out with their Christmas Eve night wear so that they can be "charming" for those Christmas Morning Pictures that everyone so dearly love.
Speaking about Arizona, I had such a wonderful time while I was there with Dawn and Greg. Their new Home in lovely, and it was fun to visit with the
Farley Family. We had all decended on Mesa to see and listen to the Choir that Curtis was singing with. What a delightful evening it was. Nearly 400 singers in a number of different Choirs participating, and the way they were able to move on an off the stage for their part of the program was a real delight to watch. The big thing for me was that not one of the groups had a folder or binder with music. Every piece was totally memorized, even the young children - that was amazing. I am thrilled to have a CD of the program and will enjoy listening to it while I go around with my friends this next week. Really put all of us in the Holiday Spirit.
Along with that wonderful Concert we were able to enjoy (an under-statement) the lights at the Phoenix Zoo. What an unbelievable adventure that was. We were greeted with a life size Lion made out of lights and a beautiful Peacock before we ever got into the Zoo. After that it was just
on wonderful eyeful after another. The huge Butterflies in the Trees that were flapping their wings was just one of the things that we marveled over. The light show on the lake set to the best Music was another eye popper.
All the live animals were safely put to bed and we were treated to the prowling of animals in lights. Of course they moved in slow motion as one stance was illuminated after another as they moved through the brush.
I think we were all amazed at the tear drop lights that gave appearance of rain, and the multi colored tree took everyones eye. A great deal of blue and purple lights made for a very interesting sight as we wondered what seemed like miles. I enjoyed every minute of the time we were there.
To finish off the evening we watched as Curtis and Chris took their little daughters on the Merry-Go-Round. Pictures were taken of as much as we were interested in to save, and of course the young ones on the Merry-go-round were more prized than the rest.
As much as we were interested in the lights at the Zoo, they were not more spectacular than the ones at the Mesa, Arizona Temple. We went there the next evening, and it was breath taking. We didn't stay to hear the 7:00 pm
concert by a Choir, but I am sure it was equally as wonderful as all we saw
on Temple Square. Some folks across the street were taking advantage of the crowds that attend by selling hot chocolate and hot cider. It was chilly so I am sure a great many of the visitors would wonder across to get a cup
of one or the other to warm them. I over heard one of the visitors asking a guide where a certain scene was this year. It appears as they add to the show they move things around. They have so much going on that it is a wonder they can get it all set up, and don't blow a fuse some place or another.
Well I guess you could say that this will be a banner year for the Christmas Season for me. Tonight is Sing Noel in the San Luis Obispo Stake Center and I will be there to help with what ever they need before, during and after their performance. It is always such a great program, and so many local folks look forward to it. Tomorrow night is Vine Street Victorian Walk and so the second performance of Sing Noel will be Sunday Night. I hope they
have a great turn out. The Choir is much smaller this year than we have had in the past, but it is none the less good. The blend has been outstanding, and the Solo music is something to make everyone tear up. We are so fortunate to have such a great group of singers and behind the scene people to do such a great job putting this program together. I am happy to be part of it in such a small way.
As I end this little Holiday piece, I hope it will brighten those who read it and will make their Christmas just a little more special knowing that the Birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, sets such lovely things into motion and that so many thousands of people can visit, enjoy and feel the spirit that such things bring into our lives. I hope that some of those feelings will spill over into the New Year and find hearts willing, and minds inspired to live and love as Jesus would have us do.
To one all Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year -
from Grandma Rosenberg
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