Children – Page 2 – Valerie's Voice

Thanksgiving Revisited

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. It all began Wednesday night at our annual Thanksgiving service at Emmaus Church. We gather for praise and worship along with our traditional “circling around the sanctuary, holding hands and speaking our thanks in prayer together.” Then we head downstairs to the fellowship hall for a pie social! Folks bring pies to share, and everyone eats one or two pieces as they visit.

The next morning Gary and I helped at Northfield’s community meal. Laura Baker Services Association (housing, educational and support services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities) provides a traditional Thanksgiving meal to anyone in the community. No need to sign up, just show up for a delicious meal. This was their 19^th year of arranging this wonderful event. They baked 22 turkeys, and made potatoes, stuffing, gravy, corn, salad, cranberries and pie! Last year we ate dinner at LBSA – this year we volunteered to serve. It was fun.

After we left LBSA we joined a family from church, who had invited us to come for dinner when they found out…at the pie social Wednesday eve…that we would not be with our family Thanksgiving Day. It was a beautiful thing, sitting around the table with old friends and new, sharing a meal together. We were blessed by their kindness, and by being at their family celebration.

The blessings continued as we joined our son and his wife and 1 ½ year old daughter at their home the next day, for another feast. My brother and his wife, their daughter and son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren came also. One grandchild is a baby boy…nine days old. The other is a three year old boy. The two “older” toddlers had fun playing together and exuded a lot of energy.

After our tradition of reading children’s stories, and eating dessert, the others said good-bye, so only our immediate family was left. In the living room, soon before we were going to depart, there was one more blessing. My daughter-in-love explained our granddaughter, Aria, “sets the stage often.” Aria points to the sound bar to have the music start (mom turns it on), then points to the gas fireplace to have it turned on (mom flips the switch), and then Aria starts dancing. What a joy to watch.

It was a special time…this blessed thanksgiving…and our hearts are full.

Now we’re moving into the Christmas season as I start to decorate the house, in anticipation of our other two grandchildren (along with mom and dad) coming over from Africa and living with us for a while. I hope their eyes light up when they see our Christmas tree full of colored lights. We’re so excited.

Turtle and Lego

Two words…turtle and Lego… captured my attention last week when scanning through the newspaper. Two words for two different, but interesting, entities…together in one title. It may have caught my attention because we encountered two large turtles on Northfield’s bike trail this past summer, and because of my fondness for Legos.

The article reported of a turtle fitted for wheelchair made of Legos. Now that’s creative!

Article in newspaper that caught my attention.

The article states: “A wild turtle with a broken shell is rolling around on a wheelchair made of Legos while he’s on the mend at the Maryland Zoo.”

The eastern box turtle had fractures to the underside of his shell, and according to the article, keeping the shell bottom off the ground is important for healing after surgery. The zoo’s veterinarian asked a friend, who is a Lego enthusiast, if he would create a custom, turtle-sized, Lego wheelchair to help the turtle mend.

A photo of one Lego town (not on the bed downstairs) made by my boys. Of course I thought I had many pictures of the creations they made, but it turns out, I don’t.

My two boys played with Legos for hours when they were young…it was a favorite play time of theirs and I do believe they have good memories of building cities together, and all the vehicles and buildings that go along with that. We set a piece of plywood on top of a bed we had in our finished basement as a platform for Lego towns and Lego creations. I used to joke that at one time our Lego collection was the most valuable item in our house. We still have Legos, sorted by color, in plastic boxes, ready for the grandchildren to play with someday.

Recently we were at the Mall of America and walked past the Lego store. It’s always fun to stop and look at their displays of oversized figures and vehicles and space ships.

Huge action figure at the LEGO store in MOA.

Legos have always made me smile…to see the many different creations, and also, to remember the special memories of my two little boys playing together with their Legos.

I hope the turtle heals quickly…it has no idea of the wonders of Legos.

It Doesn’t Get Easier

Our son, Tim, who lives in Mozambique, managed to arrange a visit to Minnesota after a business meeting he attended in Washington DC. It was a great surprise to learn about this visit. We hadn’t seen him since October of last year.

We had three wonderful days together and nice family time along with our older son, Michael, and his family. We did miss having Tim’s family with us though.

It’s difficult to see your children once a year – and then not all of his family – our daughter-in-love and two grandchildren. Technology helps some these days…we hope our grandchildren recognize us after seeing us on Skype when we see them in person some day…but it’s hard.

So when we took Tim to the airport once again I was sad to say good-bye. After many years you’d think it might get easier, but it does not.

I do cherish the times we have together and hopefully we will get to see the whole family very soon.

Here is a photo our adorable grandchildren who live in Mozambique.

Zoey, soon to be 4 years old and Ezra is 2 years old.

February: I Love To Read Month

It’s February and it’s I Love To Read” month.

Reading is a wonderful thing to celebrate. I’m so grateful I can read.

I don’t have childhood memories of reading every chance I could get, or under the tree, or in a secret place like a lot of adults talk about, but at some point in time I started to read more and became aware of how much I love to read. It’s a wonderful thing. Image result for reading quotes

I do have lots of memories from reading to my boys in their childhood. Reading was a very precious time. I loved reading to them, and we read to them a lot. Our reading times are some of my fondest memories. I can picture me sitting on the sofa with a boy at each side, cuddling up, by the light and reading and reading…many books, many times, including every night before bed. I cherish those remembrances.

I have always liked books but I believe my love of books began when I started reading to my children. I started learning about, and buying, books to read to our boys. I’ve acquired a small collection of children’s books, which I continue to enjoy to this day (and still add to my collection).

Image result for free clip art for book clubs

I am in a book club, which I enjoy very much. I have read so many books over the years that I would probably never have picked out to read on my own. It has been, and continues to be, a wonderful experience. I borrow most of the books I read for our book club from our local library. However, there are certain other books I buy so I can highlight or underline ideas or thoughts as I read. My husband loves to read too, so we do have our own collection of books on bookshelves at home.

I wrote a children’s book. The story line is about skyping and I used clip art for the illustrations because it is about using computers so I thought clip art was appropriate. I had a print center in town print, laminate, and bind the book for my granddaughter whom I skype with – in Africa – and now, with her brother too. I’ve sent it to publishers but so far no one is interested. It was a fun project.

There’s so many more thoughts to share on reading. I love to read…here’s to “I love to read” month!

A Children’s Christmas Program

Children’s Program Bulletin for 12/17/17

Our church’s children’s program was performed last Sunday: O Come, Let Us Adore Him. One of my favorite Sundays in the church year is the day the children put on a Christmas program. I love to see the children all dressed up, some in shepherd’s clothing, some with angel wings, all cute. It’s fun to hear them sing, read their lines and perform solos, all the while other kids are fidgeting and waving to the their mom or dad, and adjusting their halos. It’s pure and innocent. I know I’m not alone in finding joy watching the children tell the story of Jesus and his birth each year at Christmastime.

The children of Emmaus Church in the Christmas Program, December 2017

After the program the kids all received a treat bag with candy and popcorn balls. It brought back memories of receiving my own treat bag at the church I grew up in after participating in our Christmas Pageant. Our bags were filled with ribbon candy, and an orange, and some walnuts in the shell, if I remember correctly.

The beauty of this pageant tradition is they are telling the same wonderful story every year but we are seeing it with fresh eyes by watching our children act and sing it out once again.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14

An Orphanage in Owatonna, Minnesota

The main building of the orphanage is now Owatonna’s City Administration building.

We happened upon some fascinating history in Owatonna, Minnesota a few years ago while driving around the town. We came across some beautiful, older buildings that we found out were originally used as an orphanage. The buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a Historic District. Unfortunately the buildings were closed the day we discovered them. We always wanted to go back to learn more and so we did.

The Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children was, at one time, the third largest orphanage in the country. This is an excerpt from the museum brochure: “Between 1886 and 1945 there were 10,635 children orphaned, abused or abandoned and sent to this orphanage in Owatonna, Minnesota.”

The orphanage was phased out by 1945 and for the next twenty-five years the school provided academic and vocational training for the educable mentally disabled.

After standing empty for four years, the City of Owatonna purchased the campus to use for its administration offices (in 1974).

The Orphanage Museum is currently housed in the City Administration Building. There are several display cabinets with very interesting photos, artifacts, and letters telling stories of those forgotten children and the lives they led in the orphanage. It was pretty heart wrenching.

Again, from the brochure, “They were called “State Schoolers: for some it was a circle of hell; for others, a safe haven.”

But the most somber part of our exploring was finding the cemetery. I took a photo of the plaque outside the cemetery and below the photo are excerpts written out:

The plaque at the entrance of the fenced-in State Public School Children’s Cemetery telling the history of the cemetery.

History of State Public School Children’s Cemetery

1886-1945 – During the 59 year history of the State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children, over 300 children died while under state guardianship: 198 are buried in this cemetery, unclaimed by family. Some were buried under the cover of darkness because of contagious disease. Few, if any, ever had a flower left on their grave. The average age at death was approximately four years old.

Causes of death included diphtheria, measles, drowning, TB, cancrum ori, anemia, diarrhea, exhaustion, and marasmus. Marasmus is defined as “wasting and emaciation of an infant for no discoverable cause.” Today we would say “Failure to thrive for lack of love.” Children also died from accidents (one killed by an elk, another a football injury), and a ruptured appendix.

In the early years, tombstones were erected. For unknown reasons, the state discontinued this practice. Children were then simply buried with their identification number etched on a cement slab.

1945 – Orphanage was phased out and the cemetery all but forgotten. Weeds and grass grew tall. Few people knew or remember it existed.

1993 – With the help of many community volunteers and contributors, the memorial and 151 named crosses were erected for those children buried only by a number. The memorial and crosses were dedicated in a community observance July 3, 1993.

1995- Owatonna City Council approved burial of 83 year old Fredrick Berndt. Berndt spent his entire childhood at the State Public School (19212-1927), and his “most desired wish” was to be buried among the children he so loved. A Christian burial was provided by Owatonna citizens November 1, 1995.

1992 – Owatonna City Council approved plans for Gerald “Bud” Blekeberg to build a permanent memorial.

A cross with a child’s name erected where once there was just a number.

I am grateful for the love I experience from my family and friends, and that I know God’s love. My heart goes out to all those forgotten children. But I believe they were not forgotten by God. As the memorial reads:

1888-1942

TO THE CHILDREN WHO REST HERE

MAY THE LOVE YOU LACKED IN LIFE

NOW BE YOUR REWARD IN HEAVEN

YOU ARE REMEMBERED

Celebrating Life

I’ve felt much sadness from the news of the shooting in Las Vegas earlier this week. I think of all the parents grieving over their beloved children, no matter what age the children are. I believe God is grieving over this violent act too.

So I am ever more grateful to be able to give both my sons a hug this week. Our oldest son lives in the cities, our younger son lives in Mozambique, Africa but is here in Minnesota for a visit. I am grateful for these two wonderful, healthy, young men and their families.

We have had a nice visit with our youngest son, the father of two of our three grandchildren.

We went for a hike and ate a picnic lunch at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park,

and sat around a bonfire in our back yard under a full moon, along with sharing meals and stories together…and a little shopping for gifts to bring to his family back home.

He met his five-month old niece for the first time too. We are celebrating life!

The Cedar Chest

My cedar chest doubles as our entertainment center in our living room. The other day we took off the TV, soundboard and DVD player to get into the cedar chest. It’s been a long time since we’ve opened it up and usually when we do, it’s just to put something in it. I would get a whiff of the aromatic cedar but close it right away. This time I was deliberate to go through everything. I remembered the price tag was in it…my dad bought it for my mother in 1947 for a wedding present. This Lane Cedar Chest retailed for $54.95 in 1947. There is another piece of paper inside – an insurance policy…a Moth Insurance Policy good for three years… hmmm I wonder…do they still sell that type of insurance???

I also found my mother’s baptism gown and the gown my brother and I wore when we were baptized. There was my mother’s velvet brown hat and some long white gloves -over the elbow kind that I wore to prom. I found my Brownie uniform, my candy-stripe outfit and a red dress I sewed back in high school that I particularly loved.

I did not iron these special pieces before taking a photo. They went back into the cedar chest.

I found what I was looking for…an outfit for my grandson that was my son’s when he was a little boy – but I found a lot more children’s clothing and blankets. I didn’t remember saving them all. It was a delight to look at each one and remember. I kept them out and washed them up and will pass them on.

What a fun adventure opening up the cedar chest!

A portion of the clothing I had stored in the cedar chest.

Tree Trimming

After dinner and a daily walk, we had a tree-trimmer stop by to look at the trees in our yard. We planted all twenty of them when we moved into our house 20+ years ago. We had a corner lot in a small town that did not have one tree on the property. The trees have grown so tall and so full and I love the privacy they provide, the protection for the birds I feed, shade for our back deck and not to mention the beauty they add to our neighborhood. But now, some of them need trimming,

While walking around the yard tonight and pointing out the trees to the contractor giving us an estimate I was taken back to a time when my sons were little and we lived in a different neighborhood on property that had mature trees. There were two very tall Evergreens in the back yard. The boys would climb the trees from the inside, near the trunk, to avoid the needles and fragile branches of pine trees. They had a lot of fun in those trees.

However one day in particular stands out when they decided to trim the dead branches to make their “steps” easier to climb. They did a fine job however the unexpected result was the tree sap started running and by the time they came in that night they had sap all over themselves and their clothes. They smelled good, but sure were sticky!

I miss those days and I treasure the memories of when my guys were growing up.