We had a lovely little backyard garden just before my son turned three. Everyday we’d tend it, eagerly checking the progress of the flowers, tomatoes, radishes, cucumbers, and one lone watermelon that had somehow volunteered. We weeded, watered, and discussed every day when our watermelon would be ready. John was Continue reading
John
John’s Tragedy (update)
I have recently done some research because Mother always felt John’s Tragedy left more questions than answers. links: https://atomic-temporary-73629786.wpcomstaging.com/2015/03/12/johns-tragedy-part-i-from-kathleens-memoirs-part-2-and-update-to-follow/
John’s behavior between announcing he was married and his wife’s sudden departure just before the birth of their child was so odd, they felt something was wrong. On separate occasions, his father and sister had both come to visit, but each found Wanda had gone off on a trip with her parents, despite knowing of their planned visits. He explained, she was young and spoiled, at only seventeen. She was used to having her way. Later on, her pregnancy made visits impossible. They got two letters from Wanda, that looked suspiciously like John’s handwriting. Of course, this was in 1944, when John had just gotten back from a tour of duty in the South Pacific. His mental health was very fragile at the time. They were afraid to press for too much information. The last they knew, Wanda had gone home to have her baby and not returned.
In November, 1944, John told his parents he was informed by Wanda’s father, she had given birth to twins in May 15, 1944. Both she and the children were killed in a train wreck shortly afterward. No further information would be forthcoming. His father went to visit John as soon as he heard the bad news, but John quickly got rid of him. In my research, I could find no record of a marriage or birth of twins listing John Arthur Holdaway as father, but eventually, combing through old family correspondence, I did come up Wanda’s maiden name. Mother remembered her new husband’s last name. Armed with this information, I eventually the record of the birth of twins born May 15, 1944. The mother’s maiden name fit, though no married name nor marital status at the time of birth was given. No father was listed, but the boy(now deceased) was given the last name of the man she married at some point, not Holdaway. I never found the date of that marriage. This leads me to suspect he never married Wanda, probably only hoped to, maybe losing her to this other man.
John Arthur Holdaway’s wife did meet the California student who recognized the name John Holdaway raising the question of his own paternity, relaying the story to both my parents,so this part of the story seems true.
I am including two V Mails from his sister, Annie Holdaway who was in Egypt at the time John let the family know he had been notified of Wanda’s death. The family referred to him as Arthur, at this time. Later, he insisted on being called John, the only name I ever knew him by.
John’s Tragedy (Part 2 from Kathleen’s Memoirs) update to follow
Daddy caught the train for New Orleans to see John as soon as we got the letter with his tragic news, not knowing what in what state he’d find John. John was living back in the barracks, explaining he couldn’t afford to keep a place with Wanda gone. He was strangely calm, resigned to the Continue reading
John’s Tragedy (Part I from Kathleen’s Memoirs) Part 2 and update to follow
When John was in the army stationed in New Orleans, we got a letter from him saying he’d married a girl named Wanda. It included a studio picture from Wanda, too, introducing herself. They’d see us some time soon when John got leave. Before too many months, there was a letter there was a Continue reading
Where in the Hell Did He Hear That”
Both of my kids talked early. That can be a curse. When my son was about twenty months old, we’d been pursuing mice in our house. He never got there in time to see them. One wonderful day, he found one that had fallen and drowned in the commode. He came ripping out to share the thrilling news, then made the following remark, “I’ve been wanting to see a mouse for many years, and finally found one in the bammode.(commode) That son of a bitch!”
The Dead Pony, the Warped Kid, and the World’s Most Horrible Mother
The phone rang one day. Without introduction, I heard the familiar, deep voice of one of my son’s friends. “Miss Linda, is that story about the pony true?”
“Yep!” The last thing I heard was gales of laughter as I hung up.
If you are the sensitive type, skip this story.
Many years ago when my son was young, we were hauling a load of tree trimmings to the landfill. As my husband backed the truck up to unload, I spotted a dead pony, bloated with all four legs stuck up in the air. Without thinking, I said, “Hey, John. Do you want a pony?”
Of course he said, “Yes!”
“Well, there’s one right over there!”
“Wahhh!!!!!”
I swear it was not intentional. Sometimes I think there is a disconnect between my brain and my mouth!
John’s Tragedy (Part 2 from Kathleen’s Memoirs)
Daddy caught the train for New Orleans to see John as soon as we got the letter with his tragic news, not knowing what in what state he’d find John. John was living back in the barracks, explaining he couldn’t afford to keep a place with Wanda gone. He was strangely calm, resigned to the Continue reading
Kathleen’s Cuthand Christmas (from Kathleen’s memoirs of the depression)
We don’t have the money.” I’d heard that so many times I knew not to ask for candy, bright rubber balls, or coloring books at Miss Lonie’s store. If Daddy had a few cents to spare, he’d fill three small brown paper bags with candy for us…..peppermint sticks, gumballs, bubble gum, lollipops. Kits and BB Bats were five for a penny. A few cents Continue reading
Nutsrok 