A New Life  (Part 7)

As life went on in California, we corresponded mostly by mail to our family and friends in Indiana.  Phone calls were extremely expensive, not like today.  So I wrote a lot of letters.  My mom and I wrote back and forth continuously.  She took it so very hard when we left them.  So did I, but I couldn’t let it affect my daily life.  We had deprived her and dad and Ollie’s folks of being there for them and being able to watch their grandchildren grow up.  They would miss all the important, memorable things that they would have been there for, such as 1st Communion, school activities like the Talent Shows and so many other activities and achievements.

Since we had come here, friends became the nearest thing to family.  We became quite close to the librarian, Helen, and we referred to her as the California grandmother.  After asking her to dinner one day, she became part of our family.  She attended many of the children’s activities and shared our special occasions.  She had no children of her own and she was so happy to be included in our family.  We felt exactly the same way.

We really missed our parents.  Of course we missed our family and friends back home.  At one point, I had become very homesick for all the people in my life that I missed.  I wrote so many letters and got a fraction of the replies I waited for in the mail.  I found a good counselor who helped me through this.  Being involved with so many activities at church and school had delayed my homesickness.  And then, finally, my parents were able to visit us.  That made a huge difference!  Then other family and friends were able to visit as time went on, and that made all the difference too.

Total Page Visits: 681 - Today Page Visits: 3

2 thoughts on “ A New Life  (Part 7)

  1. Laura

    I have very fond memories of visiting you and your family in Duarte. You graciously welcomed us into your home for a few days and we all had such fun. Our kids had a ball playing together in your backyard, and with your pet rabbit BunBun. Thanks for the memory!❤️

    Reply
    1. Lora Marie Wade Post author

      Oh Laura! How wonderful to hear from you. I just finished writing Part 8 of A New Life. I was just getting ready to post it right now. I have great memories of your visit too! Thanks so much for responding! I means a lot.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *