Monday, December 31, 2012

MY DAD - BORN 100 YEARS AGO TODAY


MY DAD - CELEBRATING THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BIRTH
Harry Norman Gould, son of Harry Whipple Gould & Marie Lindsay
Today is New Year's Eve. This is a day that is celebrated around the world as we welcome a new year. 
 However, in my family it was important for another reason. It was my Dad's birthday. 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!

   You died back in 1991, but you are always near in my heart. 
When I was a little girl you held me when I skinned my knees, which was often.  You always encouraged me when I would draw because you thought I was good at it. You were always encouraging no matter what I wanted to do. Whether it was moving to Texas, dating a new guy (as long as you thought he was good enough), or joining the police force.  You weren't very good with money, but you tried very hard to make a decent life for me and my brother.    You stayed with us during the difficult times back in 1965.  I'll always be grateful for that. We didnt always agree, but then what teenager ever does.  Raising two teenagers as a single father must have been very difficult.  We only knew what went on in our lives...all the drama that goes with the teenage years.  I never thought of what you must have been going through. 
   You loved us very much, of that I have no doubt. You could tell a good story and you must have known a thousand jokes. 
                Well, I miss all that and I miss you.  So Happy Birthday to you Dad.  
H. Norman Gould age 21
1967 - My Dad with my brother Norm

My Dad with his parents - age 5 months 
Here is my TIP to you today.  Time goes by very quickly in our lives.  Talk to your grandparents, parents, aunts & uncles while they are still here.  Ask them questions about their lives.  Buy one of those books that have questions in them and have them fill it out.  Go through old photos with them and make sure there are names & dates on the back of ALL the photos.  I did this with my Dad only a little bit and I wish I'd done more.  A photo is not worth a thousand words, unless you know who's in it.  When you are in your teens and 20's and even your 30's you don't think it will matter all that much what happened in the past.  But.....then one day, they are all gone and you are left with photos and memories and suddenly you want to know more. 
  • How did your grandparents & parents meet? 
  • How long did they date? 
  • Where were they married? 
  • Did they go on a honeymoon?
  • Where did they live? 
  • Where did they go to school? 
  • Who were their friends? 
  • What were their interests & hobbies? 
  • What were their dreams? 
  • What were their occupations? 
  • Did they travel?  If so, where did they go?
Don't let these questions go unanswered while you have them here - ASK THEM NOW.  You will never regret it, I promise.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Michigan Girl

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I look forward to reading your comments. If you have any connection to the people mentioned in this blog, please let me know. I write about mine and my husband's ancestors and would welcome new information or meeting a new cousin or two. Thanks for visiting and come back soon.