14# Two more Blessings!

     That brings me to how the Lord gave us two more children!   As I said before He knew what we needed, even when we did not!

     It was quite a surprise around April of 1964, when I found that I was pregnant!  After all, it had been 12 years since our Jim was born!  Our marriage, for the most part had its good and bad times ; and we were very happy about  the expected baby!  Dad tried very hard from then on, and in fact he began to stay home even on the weekends!  Sherri Lynn's birth on November 24th, 1964, was a new beginning for us. She was so very beautiful and her father was "in love" again.  Her "Daddy" held her for hours on the couch.  He never seemed to tire of it and kept saying to anyone, who would listen, how cute and clever she was!  Her sister and brother were ecstatic and wanted to hold her and play with her constantly.  It was especially a new beginning for me!  I had a beautiful little girl to love and care for again.  Laura was 15 by then and was constantly bringing friends home to show them her baby sister! Sherri's birth weight was 7.8oz. ; but she gained quickly with  the nursing. She crawled and walked very early as well and was potty trained at 18 months.  I was so proud of her!

Sherri is one of the joys of my life,  We  have a bond, which only seems to get stronger.  We are a lot alike as her husband keeps telling me! lol!  We do seem to understand each other and I am grateful for that!  Her closeness to Jesus has helped me have more peace in my life.   Her marriage to Tim. goes on being a blessing  Thank you Lord for all my children and grandchildren!

That was such a good time of my life and I also began to visit again with my Mom and sisters.  Dad was mellowing with age , I was sure!  By the time she was 3-4 months old; I decided that I did not want to raise Sherri without a little sister or brother.  Even though, I was 35 years old by then, the doctor said I was in good physical shape.  A few months later; I found out I was pregnant again.
   
About that same  time ,  my dear mother died, July 2, 1965.  She was 69 years old and always had bad lungs from childhood bronchitis and of course from smoking.  We had just been renewing our relationship and it was VERY hard for me. I remember crying constantly for a few days and your father comforting me. I felt very guilty because I  had neglected her for many years. A few months before my Mama (as I called her) died; my sister Marlene also died. She was only 33 yrs old!  Lincoln home, where she had lived; said it was of "unknown causes"??  I had always carried a lot of guilt about neglecting her also!  So there again; it was a difficult time!

When I was younger, I didn't understand;  just how stressful my Mother's life was and blamed her for raising me poorly and  in a drinking environment.  By then, I had begun to realize .that we all  needed God in our life!  I know things would have been easier for all of us if we only knew the peace He can bring to us.  I was happy to hear from my sister Laverne, whom she lived with - that my Mama  had begun to go to church with her, shortly before she died.
   

January 14, 1966, we were twice blessed when  Francis Eugene was born.  I have thanked God many times over for Gene, especially after losing our first boy, Jimmy.  Yes, Gene ( I finally convinced his Dad to name our boy after him)  I always loved his name!  Gene, (as I have told this story many times) was the best looking baby in the Lying-In Hospital ward; where he was born.   So much so, that they asked if he could be featured in one of their ads in a newspaper!  He received his first Dollar for that job and I believe he still has it! Ha!  Gene and His loving wife Cathy, have given us four beautiful and intelligent  granddaughters. He is my rock; especially now, at my old age and alone.  I can always depend on him to be there when I need him, whether for companionship, or  all the important things - I can't do anymore!  

Sherri and Gene, growing up, were so much fun for us and gave us a new lease on life.  It was like a breath of fresh air for all of us!
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