Moving to Houston, Texas in the fall of 1957 must have been almost as exciting as the California gold rush. Houston was booming. The oil business was igniting the landscape with new development, especially towards the Gulf of Mexico. New refineries and petro-chemical plants were being built, which meant more jobs, which meant more houses being built as fast as possible. Houston was sprawling.
Ron's first letter to his parents after moving to Houston began with an apology for not writing sooner or calling. Western (ATT) had gone on strike and it was difficult to get through to an operator. So his first words were, "I have been meaning to write..."
The first words about my sister Terry and I are in this letter:
"The kids are fine. Of course they are still a little confused about what is going on, that is Terry is. David doesn't seem to care where he is or what he is doing. There are quite a few small children in the neighborhood and they both have been having a fine time playing outside."
Most children have parents to tell them what it was like when they were growing up. Imagine what it was like the first time I read about myself when I received the letters. Besides the letters giving me an insight into my father's personality, they also provide an insight into my nature.
Most of the letter describes the city of Houston and the opportunities ahead for this young family. To be continued...
June 8, 2005
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About Me
- David Michael
- Katy, Texas, United States
- Being a husband and a father is the greatest blessing in my life. I am also a Special Educator to students with an autism spectrum disorder.
2 comments:
Dee,
I am sorry for Lynn. You wrote, "someone destroyed every memory of her mother." Why? Was it the step-mother? Probably more info than you wanted to reveal.
Years ago so many things were done to children that were so stupid! There is an excellent book by Nancy Verrier, The Primal Wound, which deals with attachment/bonding issues of children who were adopted at birth.
It is wonderful what you did for your sister and her children.
It must have been an experience filled with many emotions. What a gift.
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