O MY God..... we are so spoiled. None of this disaster happened to me or anyone I know. She was too young tp make marriage decisions, but managed to survive it and escape. It could have made her bitter and angry the rest of her life. But it DIDN't. ... a fine example to us all. Choose good. Choose happy. Raise that little girlie the same way. We need more people around us to show us what life we are in. We can't see it ourselves.
Thanks so much Stephanie, for stopping by over on this side to read 🌿Leaves! Welcome! I write about my mom's life every once in a while. She was my constant companion and I miss her terribly.
Sharron, I have read it before - and that's exactly why I read it again just now. It's a story that needs to be retold again and again. Thanks for sharing. - Jim
So happy to hear you say that, Ben. I always wonder if my mom's stories will be of interest to more than our family members. So far, they seem to hit a chord with a lot of others. Thanks for visiting 🌿Leaves today! It is a big reading universe out there and I am happy you found me.
Your mother was a strong woman (she had no choice), with such a tender heart. When Jim saw an “angel” in the barn that day, he was not hallucinating. He was seeing the real Katy.
Interesting how things work out for the best for those who are left behind. I bet it doesn't work out that way for the leaver. My mother's father did the same thing.
Very perceptive, James Ron. I often wondered how he lived with himself, knowing he had abandoned his wife and child. He had to rationalize it somehow... I feel sad for that.
My mother grew up in Soquel, and was a bit older than yours...she left grad school to join the WAVES around 1941. I'm sitting on the very property that my great-grandparents farmed and housed my mother and her family on right now, as I am writing this.
This is a beautiful story and you put me in it with your grandmother and mother. I could picture my mother walking down Pacific Avenue in 1941 as I took in the photograph at the top of the story. I imagined what my great-grandmother and grandmother might have been doing at the same moment Jim found his angel milking that goat. Had my grandmother ever nodded 'hello' to yours as they passed on the street? That sort of thing. Thank you.
Such an interesting thought. It was a small town. Mom arrive in Santa Cruz in 1942 and I was born here. We lived in Soquel in 1949. They may well have been friends! Such a coincidence. So glad you related to this story., Ellen. There are several more Katy stories in the Archive, about life in North Dakota and how she lived when she arrived in Santa Cruz.
Well, yes, we were. She propped me up until I no longer needed propping. Then it was my turn to keep her on her feet and engaged. It was a hell of a deal.
He was young. He was uneducated. He was a drinker. He simply didn't understand what a commitment it is to be a husband and father. I just hope he was able to make a life for himself. Here is a five minute story that tells all I knew of him. It wasn't much.
Thank you, Carol. I still have three or four more Katy stories to tell. Sometimes it is hard to launch them. So many memories. You know what I mean, my friend.
She slugged it out her whole life, and never became cynical. Her optimism saved her every time. When she moved in with me we got along great. Her life became much easier soon as she gained her independence from her marriages., I will say that.
Oh wow, Sharron. I somehow have never read this part of your story. Is it possible to be happy and sad at the same time? Is there anything a mother won't do to provide a proper life for her child? Thank God for strong women like Katy.
Yes, indeed. Thanks, Jim. I know YOU have had strong women in your family who guided your life too. One of these days you will write about them, I hope, even as fiction.
O MY God..... we are so spoiled. None of this disaster happened to me or anyone I know. She was too young tp make marriage decisions, but managed to survive it and escape. It could have made her bitter and angry the rest of her life. But it DIDN't. ... a fine example to us all. Choose good. Choose happy. Raise that little girlie the same way. We need more people around us to show us what life we are in. We can't see it ourselves.
I could not have said it more clearly myself. Thank you, Kate.
Wow, Sharon, what a story! You write so tenderly about your mother.
Thanks so much Stephanie, for stopping by over on this side to read 🌿Leaves! Welcome! I write about my mom's life every once in a while. She was my constant companion and I miss her terribly.
Sharron, I have read it before - and that's exactly why I read it again just now. It's a story that needs to be retold again and again. Thanks for sharing. - Jim
Twice! Over and above the call of duty. Thank you so much for having a second look, Jim. She was a good old gal.
Always a great story to re-read!
Thank you, Linda. You are a good friend to read this tale twice.
Evocative, transportive writing. It's a bit like travelling in time.
So happy to hear you say that, Ben. I always wonder if my mom's stories will be of interest to more than our family members. So far, they seem to hit a chord with a lot of others. Thanks for visiting 🌿Leaves today! It is a big reading universe out there and I am happy you found me.
Your mother was a strong woman (she had no choice), with such a tender heart. When Jim saw an “angel” in the barn that day, he was not hallucinating. He was seeing the real Katy.
Yes, he was. Thanks for saying that , sweet girl.
Interesting how things work out for the best for those who are left behind. I bet it doesn't work out that way for the leaver. My mother's father did the same thing.
Very perceptive, James Ron. I often wondered how he lived with himself, knowing he had abandoned his wife and child. He had to rationalize it somehow... I feel sad for that.
My mother grew up in Soquel, and was a bit older than yours...she left grad school to join the WAVES around 1941. I'm sitting on the very property that my great-grandparents farmed and housed my mother and her family on right now, as I am writing this.
This is a beautiful story and you put me in it with your grandmother and mother. I could picture my mother walking down Pacific Avenue in 1941 as I took in the photograph at the top of the story. I imagined what my great-grandmother and grandmother might have been doing at the same moment Jim found his angel milking that goat. Had my grandmother ever nodded 'hello' to yours as they passed on the street? That sort of thing. Thank you.
Such an interesting thought. It was a small town. Mom arrive in Santa Cruz in 1942 and I was born here. We lived in Soquel in 1949. They may well have been friends! Such a coincidence. So glad you related to this story., Ellen. There are several more Katy stories in the Archive, about life in North Dakota and how she lived when she arrived in Santa Cruz.
And were you that little girl?
Yep.
My gosh Sharron, what an amazing life you and your Mom have had. No wonder, you were so close with her - you were the team, weren't you?
Well, yes, we were. She propped me up until I no longer needed propping. Then it was my turn to keep her on her feet and engaged. It was a hell of a deal.
It hurts my heart to think how many Ralphs there are in the world. Why can’t these men do what’s right?
He was young. He was uneducated. He was a drinker. He simply didn't understand what a commitment it is to be a husband and father. I just hope he was able to make a life for himself. Here is a five minute story that tells all I knew of him. It wasn't much.
https://sharronbassano.substack.com/p/how-long-is-always-486
Love this story every time you post it. I’ve said before, Katy had guts, determination and real survival skills. What an incredible woman
Thank you, Carol. I still have three or four more Katy stories to tell. Sometimes it is hard to launch them. So many memories. You know what I mean, my friend.
Such trials, so young. I am happy she found some hope.
She slugged it out her whole life, and never became cynical. Her optimism saved her every time. When she moved in with me we got along great. Her life became much easier soon as she gained her independence from her marriages., I will say that.
A rare person not to become bitter.
Yes, I think so too. If I had just half of her self-determination and positivity, I would be a happy woman!
.. speechless ..
big sis & i sprung from one of these ..
the opening Act - as both military Vets
had two more ‘families after bailing on us
Well, then you know what it is to be abandoned. It was a tough life lesson, and we learned a lot about making the best of it..
Oh wow, Sharron. I somehow have never read this part of your story. Is it possible to be happy and sad at the same time? Is there anything a mother won't do to provide a proper life for her child? Thank God for strong women like Katy.
Yes, indeed. Thanks, Jim. I know YOU have had strong women in your family who guided your life too. One of these days you will write about them, I hope, even as fiction.
I don’t remember reading this before. Wow! What a hard beginning of Katy’s life.
Thanks, Yael, for reading this Katy story. My Katy stories read like fiction sometimes, but they are all true. Happy Sunday to you.
Thank you for sharing! What a great story. 🥹
So glad it touched you in some way. Thanks, Elle, for stopping by over here at Leaves - the tiniest island in the great substack sea.