by Tally
Once upon a time…… my Mom & Dad…… both born in TX, were Depression babies…
My Dad grew up on a farm outside a small Texas town with a funny name that didn’t even have a stop sign, and volunteered for duty during WWII as every young man of the time did. He shipped off to Italy, and while attempting to save a wounded friend at a very horrid battle where the Axis had stored some munitions in a church, my Dad’s friend stepped on a land mine.
My father woke up in a military hospital in North Africa with a gaggle of doctors standing over him. One Dr asked, “What’s your name soldier?” To which my father told them his name. All the doctors were surprised, and began talking amongst themselves for a bit. The Dr then asked my father, “What day is it?” My Dad thought, hmmm… I’m obviously wounded, so it’s probably been a couple of days, so he said, “Thursday, the 22nd.” The doctors were absolutely shocked by that response and began a rather heated exchange within their group, then finally the main Dr asked my father, “What month?” To which my father answered, “Oh shit.”
My father had had amnesia for almost a month. He was injured in February, and woke up in March, and had answered correctly because March mirrors February as long as it’s not a leap year.
He was sent stateside to recuperate in San Antonio at Fort Sam Houston.
My mother was from the big city of San Antonio. At 17, because all the men had all gone off and enlisted, went with her two older sisters, lied about her age and the three of them joined the WACs because that was where the boys were.
She met my Dad at a USO dance, while he was an out-patient from an Army psych unit because of the amnesia. So the crazy hick from the country married the Big City girl a month later, and my mother was found out to be a minor, and honorably discharged.
I was a very very late baby. My parents had given up, after my Down’s Syndrome brother died, and my mother suffered a miscarriage. They went to Reno one weekend and had WCMS* and POOF – a daughter.
My mother passed the day after Thanksgiving in 1999, with my father passing six months later from a broken heart.
They were both buried at Riverside National Cemetery with full military honors.
I never received my Condolence letter from President Clinton, and didn’t think to make the call until Bush Jr was in the White House. I told the person who answered the phone that I’d prefer Clinton’s signature since they passed during his Presidency, and was told that it would be the sitting POTUS. I said, “Never mind, I’ll wait.” I knew my parents would have been appalled by a Bush signature.
I waited eight years, and finally put in the request the week Obama took the oath. I told that story to four people since they kept transferring me, “I want you to tell your story to my superior, hang on….” I ended up with several copies for both my Mom & Dad. :)
I know my parents would be very proud I waited, and would be extremely proud of Obama.
*WildCrazyMonkeySex
White House.gov
What a great story!. I love that you waited for a Democrat to sign the letters for your parents - especially THIS Democrat. Thanks for sharing the story!
Tally, you are a very gifted writer and I love the way you tap into people’s emotions just by writing about your own. Yes your parents would be proud that you waited, but I have a hunch that they are really proud of the strong and thoughtful woman you are. Thanks so much for all that you do :)
I saw the story in another thread and Tally, once again I have to say it was a beautiful and amazing story. It shows us why we fight for this President. He is a decent, kind and compassionate human being and his administration is wonderful. Thank you for reminding us that we need to hold those we love just a little bit closer because we are never promised tomorrow.
As for WildCrazyMonkeySex……ah…bliss. Isn’t that what we all want? Every freakin morning, mid-morning, mid-afternoon, afternoon, night and late night. ;)
YES PLEASE! I can haz WCMS* 24/7 ???
Aww Tally God bless you, you made be smile, laugh and cry at the same time :smile:
AWE! YOU GUYS!!! (CHIPS!!!)
❤ ❤ ❤
And to think my Dad used to tease me because of all the Shakespeare, and computer stuff I do….and because I was born in California - outside of the Republic of Tejas (their fault - hello), (think in a heavy Texas drawl, a la Foghorn Leghorn - no really), “Ah think there was a mistake at the hospital, because you are no child a’mine!” of course that was accompanied by the cutes winks, hugs, and glow-in-the-dark smile, because he was so proud of me.
He came to see me play Viola in HS, and told me afterwards, “I’m so thankful I don’t have to lie to you - you were really good.”
No one could get away with a tuxedo and black cowboy boots like my Dad.
It’s been amazing writing and thinking about them today….. thank you everyone! Thanks for allowing me to share. :D :D :D
Ugh - that should be CUTEST winks, and Viola in Twelfth Night (should have been more specific….)
LRN2PROOFREAD.
THANKS FOR THE STORY TALLY…HOW BEAUTIFUL…AND YES INDEED…YOU DID WAIT FOR THE RIGHT SIGNATURE! BLESS YOU!
Tally, you have a wonderful gift my dear, thank you for sharing your story!
Tally this is so beautiful, you are a credit to your wonderful parents. God bless you.
thanks for sharing your story Tally.God bless you.❤
Tally you are very special. Thanks for sharing this love story on so many levels.
Thank you for sharing that beautiful story with us Tally, and I agree with CTGirl you have a wonderful gift.
What a heartwarming story! Thank you for sharing it with us, Tally. Much blessings to you.
Tally,
I love this story. It leaves me wanting to know more. What a wonderful job you did telling it. Thank you so much.
And, thank you, Chips, for highlighting Tally’s story. I’m so glad I didn’t miss seeing it.
WOW. Thank you, Tally for sharing your tremendously moving story. And thanks for the little laugh (WCMS)!
Tally, your parents are looking down, smiling and saying “that’s my girl”. Thanks for sharing :-)
Lovely story.
Will you be my friend, Tally? You are wonderful. Thank you for that heart-warming story.
There you go another thread. All I can say is go girl and keep on writing. I love it, you warm this old gals heart.
Tally, I am cutting and pasting your memories and placing them in a special place, they touched my heart so . Wow, wish I could have met your dad in that tux and cowboy boots. Forgive me, I am flirting with your dad though time and space. ummmm Your family was a blessing both ways, you to them and them to you. Write a diary of memories to leave behind for someone when your time comes. That is what I am doing since my daughter gave me the Diary for Christmas with a great big hint. :lol: :lol:
Tally,
The way you convey feeling, depth and warmth while using humor and realism is almost breath-taking!! I feel so very privileged to read about this intimate story that you have shared here with us as part of TOD family (if I may be so bold as to include myself alongside some great posters here) and I thank you for that!!
Your humor indicates that you can make people wet themselves while hanging out with you and that is good - news for John McCain (sorry, bear with me, just finished reading a couple of articles about “Dick” Halperin - ugh)!! Seriously, only you could incorporate WCMS into a delicately woven autobiographical story and make it fit in seamlessly!!!
Again, thank you and keep up the great work!!!
+ 1,000,000,000
Tally, the first time i quickly read through this while my toddler son climbed up on my lap i quickly googled “WCMS.” Nothing came up on goggle that made any sense. Cut to a few hours later when the children are asleep and yes now i see what WCMS means! So funny! Wonderful story. Thank you so much for sharing the story of your family. I am SO glad you waited.
Oh Tally. I’m playing late night catch-up and just found this great story. I am so glad you shared. I’ll just say what everyone else has said. It’s heartwarming and very touching and so funny and the love just shines through.
Thank you so much…and you must be a little bit psychic. You waited for the right President.
Oh Tally. I’m playing late night catch-up and just found this great story. I am so glad you shared. I’ll just say what everyone else has said. It’s heartwarming and very touching and so funny and the love just shines through.
Thank you so much…and you must be a little bit psychic. You waited for the right President.
Chipsticks, you are such a beautiful spirit. I love the setting for Tally’s story. Beautifully done. Tally, you should put this is a lovely book for more people to read such a lovely work of yours. Beautiful!!!!
This is just a terrific, terrific site. Beautiful piece.
Oh Tally, this was so touching…
Thank you for sharing…
Words are not sufficient to convey the thanks and love I have for my TOD family!!!
*lays down on floor with arms open wide to embrace EVERYONE HERE!!!
❤¹⁰ x ∞