The important people in my life...part1

I have been thinking about what I would write about the important people in my life. This was the last question that Trisha asked me to write about. The more I thought about it, I came to the conclustion, that the people who were really important was family. There were lots of friends that I have met during my life and they were important at that time, but the ones who are the most important to me now...are family! When I married Galen on September 12, 1942, he became the most important person in my life. My parents were still important to me, but I did not depend on them anymore. Galen's parents still lived in the big old farm house where Galen grew up and we lived in the tenant house (where the hired man usually lived) and we were very happy there. We were still living there when our first daughter, Carol Jane, was born in 1944. Carol was my first important relative (remember I was adopted when I was a baby) so Carol was my very first blood relative. She was also my parents first grandchild. Carol was born on Jan 15, 1944 in the Waverly hospital. Carol was a beautiful baby and the love of my life. I spend 10 days in the hospital as that was the normal time new Mothers were required to stay in those days. I had a very good Doctor and lots of good care. I will never forget how excited Galen and I were when we took our new baby home from the hospital. Since Galen's parents lived in the big house next door to us, his Mother offered to keep Carol in their home the first night so I could get some rest. That was a big help because it was a big adjustment for me being a new mother and I think Grandma Neal thought it would be a big help to me if she helped me get the new baby on a schedule. We took over the next day and took Carol to her new home where we learned to become parents. My mother came to spend a few days with us to help with her new granddaughter. I remember at first we thought Carol had her days and nights mixed up so my mom thought we should try keeping her awake more in the day time. I guess this must have worked because she eventually learned to sleep nights. That is just one of the many things she had to learn and Galen and I had to learn to be patient like all new parents do. We moved into the big house when Galen's parents decided to move into town. That was the house that Galen grew up in!! The second most important person in my life was born on December 17, 1947. Robert Ray was welcomed into our home after the usual 10 day stay in the hospital. Carol was a good helper with her new little brother and we loved him very much. However, in spite of all our loving care, he became ill and died 8 weeks later in the hosptial. That was a very sad funeral. His grave is in the Shell Rock cemetery. The third important person in my life was our second son, William Gallen "Bill" Neal, who was born on March 27, 1949. Bill filled the empty spot in our home that Robert Ray had left. He was a wonderful son and brother. Galen's parents enjoyed their grandchildren so much too. When Betty joined our family on August 29 we had one more important member added to our family. Bill and Betty and Carol grew up on the farm together and I know that they are the most important people in my life, even though I had lots of good friends. Galen and I were very fortunate to have such a wonderful family. **************************************************************************************************** Next I want to tell you about my important Grandchildren. It was such a thrill when my first Granddaughter was born on January 14th, 1966. Carol was living in Long Beach, Califonia, with her husband at the time. Don was in the Navy and was away from home much of the time so I told her I would come out and be with her when the baby was born. It was quite an adventure for me to take the plane out to California. Carol met me at the airport and it was quite late in the afternoon. We had supper soon after that and then (believe it or not) Carol started having labor pains and we called the Doctor and he told her to get to the hospital right away. Carol had a friend who took us to the hospital. That was an exciting time for me and I was so glad I was there when Carol's baby daughter, Shelley Rae, was born early the next morning on January 14th. That was a nice birthday present for Carol who had a birthday on January 15th! When I called Grandpa Galen at home about the new baby he was very happy to hear the news. My folks were retired and living in Leisure World in Califonia (close to Long Beach) so several days later we took Shelley out to see her Great Grandparents. Of course they were very happy and excited to see their new GREAT grandaughter, Shelley! Carol and I had such a good time for two weeks taking care of the new baby. I also enjoyed being in California becase the weather in Iowa was below zero most of the time I was gone. I loved being in California where I could wash clothes and hang them out on the line to dry. It was a special time I will never forget!!