Our Children, Our Life Views

Our Children:

Ronald William, born April 19, 1946.  Good Friday.  Aunt Marguerite’s birthday.  Married Barbara Jo-Ann Raynor.  (Jo)  Sons Andrew Paul, Devin William.

Linda Mae, born May 13, 1949.  Friday the 13th and Mother’s Day.  (Married Wayne Roderick John Spencer, Nov. 20, 1971)  (Daughter -Dana Michelle (Shane Paul Wilson);  Kenzie Merick Wilson)  (Son – Kristofor Jason (Jenifer Mary Johnson);  Kale Isaac Spencer).

Ann Marie, born June 12, 1952.  Thursday.  Brian Latsch’s birthday. Married Murray John Maas.  Daughter Alison Gladys Kathleen, son Brian Adam, daughter Kimberley Ann)

Verna Jeanne, born November 20th, 1957.  Saturday, right after the football finals.  Married Wayne Joseph Beuhner.  Divorced.

We chose the name William to name Ron after his dad and his maternal grandfather.

Mae was for Grandma Scott and Aunt May.

Ann was named for two great grandmothers, and has the same name as Aunt Marie.

Verna was a name her dad liked, and Jeanne was for Aunt Jean.

We like short names.  The first names were ones we liked.  When our kids were growing up, summer holidays were always spent with relatives on the farm.  Aunt Marie and Uncle Newton stayed with us while he went to summer school.  We also had visits from Murray and Carol (Cheryl, Darren and Robbie), Margaret (Jamie, Wendy, Lori) and Evelyn and Danny (Penny, Ricky).  Also Katherine, Karen, Brian, Jeff, John, Donald and David.

We had lots of great meals at Aunt Edna and Uncle George’s (Audrey, Allan, Murray, Marilyn).  Visits to Aunt Mabel and Uncle Thomas (Robert and Sheri).  We had lots of picnics on the farm, and at Aaran Lake and Lake Huron.  We enjoyed weekends when Blanche and Del, Janice and Fraser Wheatley came. 

Ron as a child didn’t like to leave home, but Linda was ready to go anytime.  Lin was a very good baby and slept anywhere when we were away at night.  The neighbors thought I gave her sleeping pills.  When she saw a lot of water she would say ‘there’s water to wash my dirty beets’.  She cried when Aunt Mabel brought her a new red jacket and pants set and refused to wear it.  Much later we found out it was because she thought it was an outfit for a boy.  Ann didn’t like to wear shoes, and sometimes even clothes.  She talked and sang a lot.  She sang ‘open the door please’ to the tune of ‘God Save the Queen’.  Verna didn’t like the tractor, noise, or farm animals.  She was a really good baby. 

(grandmalin’s aside – since the book I have is for MY children, it has more about me than the others – I’ll have to check out the other books to get more on my siblings.)

We tried to raise our children the same way that we were raised, by sending them to bed eary, sending them as far in school as we could, taking them to Sunday school.  We tried to let them make their own decisions (at least Grandpa says HE did).  We didn’t interfere with school discipline, had them take music lessons and tried to have them eat lots of fruit and vegetables.  The ways they were raised differently than we were – they didn’t have to pile wood, weed the garden or help their aunts and uncles.  Lin went to Expo in Montreal in 1967 with a friend and Newton & Marie, Tom and Mabel.  The most difficult part of being a parent was trying to decide what was best for our children.  The easiest and most rewarding part of parenting was getting gifts for them, and wishing we could do more. 

Ron:  “Dad, did you really get me a wheelbarrow?!”

Lin:  “I’m having lots of fun with my old, old, old, old dad.  I love you like an old, old, old, old pig.”

Ann:  “I just decided.”  Had fun chasing pigs and playing hide and seek with her dog, King.  Dad’s chore girl.

Verna:  “They might laugh!”  “King, don’t bite people.  And I’m people.”

Dana:  Singing “Row row boat your duck”

Kris:  same tune – “No, no, don’t do that!”

We remember Kris (about age 2) playing with stones in the driveway, and our dog Brutus bringing him a huge stick, and barking and barking, wondering why he wouldn’t throw it.  Kris going fishing on the river with his dad and staying put in the boat for such a long time.

We remember Dana playing and playing, straightening up Grandma’s catch-all cupboard, ‘setting things up.’ 

What issues or causes have you felt strongly about?  What values or relgious beliefs do you hold dear?  What concerns you most about the world today?

Grandma:  It is a concern that we are destroying nature’s beauty.  I’m also concerned about the opportunities for youth to start in a profession.  I believe in the worth of individual persons.  I would like to see a Zionic community where everyone gets thier just needs and wants when contributing their best to society.  I value friends who are down to earth and considerate.  In times of trouble, family and faith in the future has pulled us through.  Our family is special because as we get older it becomes ever more enjoyable to be together.  We are happy with how well our kids get along with eachother and that they put up with us.

I am most concerned about great wealth and extreme poverty.  I very much regret the money spent on destroying people’s health and environment.  Our political system takes too lightly our responsibility to make the world a good place for all.

Grandpa:  I feel strongly about the need to have more honest public practices in government.  It is wrong to take from the poor and give to the rich.  Everyone has the right to a comfortable living.  I hold most dear the friendship of others.  I think the world today is a wonderful place to live.  I don’t like the fact that good people will vote for war mongers.  Over all our political system is good.  Voters should try to understand the issues.  Some use emotions more than they use their brains. 

In my friends, I value most a good disposition, honesty and trustworthiness.  In times of trouble, hope for the future has pulled us through. 

What advice do you have for your grandchildren?  What are your hopes and dreams for the future?

Grandma:  Don’t ever regret the past.  Today is the challenge.  Make it the best you can. 

Grandpa:  As far as possible, respect other people and their views.

Both:  We have seen our children on their own become good citizens in the community, and they have chosen fine companions.  We look forward to what our grandchildren can do and become.  We have enjoyed the babysitting and visits with our grandchildren.  We wish them a life as happy as we’ve had and better!  Grandpa hopes the girls get as good a man as their grandma did!