Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Happy Anniversary

 


My parents, Ruth and Frank, were married on December 8, 1962. It was a small ceremony and, since my dad was Catholic, she was told by the priest that she could not wear white since she was married before so she chose a light blue dress. Against many obstacles, her idiot first husband not granting a divorce(until he met someone else), illness and my father's relatives who didn't like my mom and made it known by one giving $3.00 as a wedding gift, they started on their marital journey.

Like many marriages, there were arguments with my dad knowing how to get my mom's goat and she throwing her slipper at him (it had a hard sole) but their love shone through. When I was perusing the many photos I have, I was surprised at how many pictures I have of them having fun, smiling at each other and even a kissing shot! Their love for one another shone through.

The picture above is from their wedding and the one below. The last photo is one from the 1980s where they are just happy to be together. They were only together for 26 years before brain cancer got the better of my dad, but my mom was married only to him. She said, "Why do people think I need a man. I had the best, I don't need anyone else....besides I darned enough socks!"



Since it is Christmas and they both loved watching Bonanza (so do I), I have the Bonanza Christmas album here for you to enjoy. I hope you listen to the whole thing because it is part singing, part story telling, but full of family, friends and love. We would play this album (I still have it) only when it got closer to Christmas. The Cartwrights may not be the best of singers but that doesn't matter because it just adds to the family effect. I love the line that Ben Cartwright says after successfully avoiding an ardent woman looking for marriage.."That was a close one Little Joe, remind me to give your brother a medal."


Hope you liked it:)


Love you both and miss you always.

15 comments:

  1. Hi Birgit - lovely to see these and am so pleased you have these lovely memories. I do love Bonanza ... another joy to remember - cheers and all the best to you - Hilary

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    1. I’m glad you enjoyed reading this and like Bonanza

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  2. What lovely memories you have of your parents. Happy anniversary to them.

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  3. Hi, Birgit!

    Forgive me, dear friend. I am seven hours late getting started today because we experienced a nearly 24 hour cable and internet outage. I just now got service restored. Thank you for understanding.

    I appreciated this opportunity to see pictures of your mother and dad as you mark their wedding anniversary. I am touched by the story of how they overcame obstacles such as disapproving family members, and how their love shone through even though they often argued. To me, you need to worry more about a couple that never has an argument. They are an episode of "Dateline" just waiting to happen. In my opinion, the depth of your parents love was revealed after your father's death when your mother refused to remarry, declaring "I had the best, I don't need anyone else." That's beautiful!

    I never knew there was a Bonanza Christmas album. I enjoyed listening to it. Lorne Green was a good singer. My dad and I watched Bonanza every single week. He always called it "Banana." His favorite character was Dan Blocker's "Hoss."

    Thank you for sharing this lovely, bittersweet tribute to your mother and father as you observe their wedding anniversary. dear friend BB.

    If you're screening films tamale, I'll meet you in the balcony "At the Movies!"

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    1. Oh gosh...no worries about being late because you know how late I am. I’m so glad you like the album as it means so much to me and my brother, I think. The problems my parents faced from his relatives was unreal and I didn’t know the full mount until much, much later.

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  4. What a lovely tribute to your parents, Birgit! ♥ I will listen to the Bonanza Christmas album too, as it was one of my favourite shows. ☺ Fröhliche Weihnachten!

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  5. Hi Birgit, a lovely post and tribute to your parents, you have such happy memories of them. I have no time for religion that can't see past their restricting rules, I had to go through the same thing with the Roman Catholic church, I will watch your video when I have time, take care, Kate x

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    1. Thank you so much. Mom told the priest it was blackmail when he agreed to marry them provided the future kids would be Catholic.

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  6. What a handsome couple. Sounds like they were soul mates.
    Bonanza was one of my favorite shows growing up.

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  7. Lovely couple - and shame on the donor of the $3 gift!

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    1. They were and that cousin of mine, who was in their 30s, was a moron.

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  8. Happy heavenly anniversary to your parents!

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