My Journey Into My Past

Although I was not yet born at the time of the disaster, I often heard my father talk about his brush with a tornado. He was on a two lane highway headed home when the weather turned nasty.  The radio would have been turned to the only station he ever listened to, WJR A.M. (The great voice of the Great Lakes) out of Detroit, MI.   I am sure he heard the announcements to take cover, but he was in Erie, MI, just about 30 minutes from home, where his family was. I am sure we were on his mind as he rushed toward us.  I know he was driving fast - he was a speed demon in the best of times.  This time he had even more reason to race down the road. Dad was a travelling salesman at the time.  He would leave home for days at a time making his rounds. Mom would always be glad when he came home safely.  But on Palm Sunday, April 11, 1965 he almost didn't make it.  As he barreled down US-24 he spotted the tornado whipping his way and at the last moment he ...

I am rich beyond measure! My children are my treasure.  Despite losing their dad as toddlers, and being raised by a single mom, they have turned into productive, hard working adults. Granted there were some rocky patches, but this year, 2020, I am finally relaxed in knowing they are okay.  I have three grandchildren whom I adore.  My children both live in different states, and so do the grandchildren. I make a point of visiting at least twice a year, and we talk and text regularly.  My sisters and brothers and I maintain a close relationship with, and see each other regularly.  My parents were as flawed as any, but we were safe.  We never feared severe treatment, mistreatment, hunger, anxiety about a home, heat, clothes, etc. We knew we were loved.  None of us ran away, were involved in violence, hurt each other. I used to think we were poor, we had a less than moderate home, our clothes were hand me downs or cheap discount store stuff. For a while w...

My favorite discovery was really a gift. My Grandmother had a large family of 9 children and over 80 grandchildren.  It was a great loss when she passed. Her treasures were divided among her children and grandchildren.  There were many items that were cherished, but each item could only go to one child.  I have many treasures of Grandma, most were passed to me before her death, when I would spend the afternoon or stay the night.  Several years ago my cousin Kathryn told me she had a gift for me.  She wouldn't tell me what it was, but finally last January, 2020 she gave me the gift.  It was a woolen scarf that Grandpa had given her before they were married.  Grandma was a great one for labeling things, and with the scarf was a note in her hand, stating "Scarf from Gust, 1911."  What a wonderful thing to give me!  (Note: my daughter is the only grandchild or great grandchild named after Grandma Lena).  Wanting to preserve it, yet sh...

This is a four generation photo taken around 1950.  My Great Grandmother Rose Leduc Rivard, my Grandmother Lena Rivard Wickenheiser, my Mother Clara Wickenheiser Joblinski, and my Sister Rosemary Joblinski (Later to be Bruck).  Mimi Rivard named one of her daughters Rosemary, Grandma Wickenheiser named one of her daughters Rosemary, and Mother Clara named her eldest daughter Rosemary. Rosemary named one of her daughters Sara Rose, her son named his daughter Emma Rose, and so the name goes on.  There are other female cousins with the name Rose in their name, as well.   Imagine my surprise when going through the church microfish from the parish where Mimi was baptized to find out her name was not Rose!  Generations of little girls were named after her!   Her name was Cecelia Rosalie Leduc !