Just a Few Memories

Trips to Save On Drug store for an ice cream cone
Drive in movies
Bike rides in the early evenings
Hugs
Teaching me how to color and ride a bike
Decorating for Christmas
Patience
Swimming with me even though he never learned how
Letting my cousin Vickie and I fill up the area he was making into a family room with water and use it for a pool
Fourth of July
Talking, Talking and Talking
Unconditional Love

My Dad and me on my first birthday!
I miss him everyday!

I am very blessed that I had such a wonderful father!

My girls too are blessed with a wonderful father!

Happy Father's Day to all the Great Dads!

I Thought This Was The Sweetest Thing

I was playing with my grandson last night at my daughter and son in laws house when I saw the picture of my dad.   Bryson I said, "That's my daddy."   He said, "Is he gone?"  (Wonder how he knew?)    I said, "yes."  My daughter Emily said, "that's my grandpa and he's in heaven."  Bryson asked if  he was with Jesus. "Yes he is," Emily said.   What surprised us was when Bryson who is four years old said,
"Do you miss him?"

Children's minds are such a mystery.  We really don't know what they are thinking. One thing I know for sure is they are a whole lot smarter than any of us realize.

From a Son-in-Law’s Perspective

Posted on Gayle's blog by her husband, Gerald.

I certainly have heard lots and sure many others have told or heard stories of arguments, disagreements and just plain, I can’t stand my in-laws. I think this sentiment goes in both directions and for the life of me can’t understand why. Friendship or Relationships aren’t just thrown out at you; it is something that requires just a little work on both sides.

I was married in 1970 at 17 and early on, I think by my nature just automatically befriended my In-Laws.

Sure, no friendship will be with out an argument from time to time but a friendship like a marriage is what you make it. He treated me well and he deserved no less.

This is an attempt to honor a man that I liked, loved and admired like a real DAD. I am sure my father-in-law Gene Clawson was the type of man that everyone wants to have as an in-law and this speaks to his character and personality.

These are a few things that I remember about Gene.

First, he earned my respect and friendship early on and always treated me good.

He was enemy to no one and could strike up a conversation with any stranger.

He had a knack for telling stories especially those of his childhood. They were worthy of print.

I remember family reunion and other events where the kids were drawn to him like a magnet.

He was always willing to help me on a project I was working on.

He was not a rich man and would give you his last penny.

The times that really stand out, were that every Friday evening Gayle and I would go to his house and visit. This was a routine event and was never dreaded; in fact, it was one event that we looked forwarded to. It wasn’t a luxurious home but it had most all that he needed, even though it needed and required lots of maintenance. We sat around on his glassed in porch going over the things that took place that week and revisited old stories. later when it was time to eat we would go to one of several of his hang outs, normally McDonalds’ where he had many friends and knew everyone. Most nights we got our moneys worth drinking cup after cup of coffee while talking.

Going to his house was a fun and relaxing way to spend our Fridays nights but no more. For many months after his death on 3/22/ 1998 I could hear a truck coming down my road and immediately think Gene is here only moments later to realize that no he will never be back. This would stir up lots of emotions and sadness, knowing that those good times were gone forever.

Twelve years later, there are many times where Gayle and I will be sitting around and say “Gene sure would have liked this” or “sure wished he could have met our grandson”. These moments would more times than not get us reminiscing about those good times when we would get together with him, doing nothing more than simple talking and loving every minute.

He was a good guy, good Dad and good friend. Wow, we still miss him today!

September 11th ~ My Dad's Birthday

As we all remember the many lives that were lost on that terrible day ~ September 11th...........I am also remembering my dad's birthday. As I have said before, he was a wonderful man who was loved by all who met him ~ young and old. I so wish that he was here to see my daughters (his granddaughters) and all that they have accomplished.............his son,Rusty, my brother an awesome father now.......married to the most wonderful woman in the world.........there two kids ( his grandson and granddaughter) ..........my grandson ( his great grandson)......his son Greg ...........all the many things he has learned. I miss him so much!! We all do!!

My Dad

My Dad, brother Rusty, me and my brother Greg.

My Dad

Whenever I talk about my dad........I always say my dad. Sometimes I say Grandpa Clawson and sometimes Dad but mostly I say my dad. My Dad was Wonderful!!!! He was loved by all who knew him. He accepted people for who they were and never judged. His life was not any easy one but I know he was happy. He was surrounded by family and friends that loved him. I could not have asked for a better dad!! I am so thankful that he knew this when he was alive. I have no regrets. We were very close and he knew how much I loved him and he also knew how much his death was going to effect me. Sitting around my kitchen table we had many opportunities to talk and talk we did. He shared his thoughts about his life with me. He told me to "remember the good times" but it is so hard to remember the good times without being sad. He died in 1998 as I have probably said before and it is still very hard on me at times. The last 2 months have been especially hard and I am not sure why. Maybe May being Mother's Day (my mom died in 1968) and June being Father's Day has trigger it. I just have moments when I miss my dad so very much. Father's Day is Sunday and if your dad, daddy, father is alive.......don't forget to tell him how much he means to you. If you are not on the best of terms with you dad, you may want to take this Father's Day to become closer.....because once they are gone it's too late.

Notes Taken In 1990

I took the following notes while talking to my dad one day. He died in 1998. I am sure most of this will not even be of interest to anyone other than my family.

The house my dad lived in while growing up in Nebraska had two bedrooms upstairs. The girls shared a room and the boys shared a room. One bedroom downstairs was for their parents.
My Grandma ( his mom) use to heat some type of irons and put at the bottom of the beds to keep them warm.
The bucket that they used to go to the bathroom in was frozen many winter mornings.
My dad went to school from first to eight grade in a one room school house. He got glasses when he was in the fifth grade. He got very sick in the 11th grade with Scarlet Fever. He was out so long and got so far behind that he never went back. He finished his high school education after I was born and in grade school.
The teachers sometimes live with my dads family.
After the 8th grade he had to go away for high school, in Curtis, Nebraska.
Grandma (his mom) use to read stories or play the piano at night. She played the Black Hawk Waltz. I use to call this the wiping song because she seemed to wipe her fingers over the keys. It wasn't until years later that I even knew the name of the song.
In 1948, Grandpa and Grandma ( my dad's parents), my dad, my Aunt Alta, Uncle Delbert and Uncle Charles moved for Nebraska to LA, California. My dad was 22 and his youngest brother Charles was 7 years old. My dad and Uncle Delbert drove together. My dads oldest sister Gen and her first husband Harry already live in CA. His older brother Albert was in college in Lincoln, Nebraska. His younger sister Sylvia was in college in Kearney, Nebraska. His younger sister Zella was married and lived in Lincoln, Nebraska.

My dad worked at a gas station and my mom worked at a movie theater near by, when they were very young. My mom would sit on a bench at the bus stop and my dad would see her sitting there. One day he asked her if he could drive her home. That was the beginning.

My dad tried to in list in the Navy but was drafted in the Marines.
The first 6 months of my life he was in the service.

Our house in CA cost $10,000. $250 down and $67.50 a month

I have more notes like this packed in boxes. It's fun for me to go back and read them from time to time. I wish I had asked more questions when my parents and grandparents were living and that I had written more down. If your parents and or grandparents are still living be sure to ask and write down any questions you have. I wonder how many people do this.

Memories About My Parents

I received this letter several months ago from my Aunt. It means the world to me.

I was thinking about life before you and LynDel were born a few days ago and I’m not sure I’ve ever told you about times I spent with your Dad & Mom before and after I married Uncle Del. If I have, I apologize for the repeat.

When I met everyone years ago at a family picnic in Griffith’s Park, I was immediately accepted and I liked them all very much. Your Dad & Mom were very nice to me (a17 yr old who was enamored with Uncle Del) and Uncle Charles was especially fun. He was like the brother I never had. That was, what was to be, the beginning of a lasting love for the Clawson’s I met that day. Aunt Alta and Uncle Joe were there too. I remember spending Thanksgiving with Dad & Mom and then at Christmas there was a time of sharing as well.

The following year your Dad joined the Marines and Uncle Del went into the Naval Reserve. This would have been 1952 I believe. When your Dad was in Boot Camp at Camp Pendleton Uncle Del, Dad & Mom Clawson, your Mom and I drove down to see him. Unfortunately it was raining that day and how it did pour. We had to sit in the car and eat the nice lunch that we had brought. But that was O.K. we were glad to be together. From our vantage point we could see the tents that these Recruits lived in and was I shocked to see a 10” high space, from the ground up, all around each tent. Talk about automatic A/C that was ridiculous. Your Mom wasn’t thrilled with it at all. Your Dad had a bad cold that day and I’m sure that was the reason. Probably a lot of the other Men had them as well. What the purpose of it was I’m not sure but I suspect it had something to do with their strict standards and wanting “tough” men in their outfits. Your Dad survived it but to my way of thinking it wasn’t necessary. (but what do I know ) Uncle Del didn’t have that kind of conditions to live with. He had lots of strange things to do but that one still stands out in my mind after all these years. We had a great day in spite of the weather and I know your Dad was glad to have us there. We must have been a sight, all of us squeezed into that car but we did fine. Uncle Del just reminded me that a man from the base was also with us in the car. (we had fried chicken, potato salad & beans among other things) We steamed up the windows too .

Another memory is of meeting your Mom for lunch downtown. We both worked down in the same area but at different places. (Aunt Alta & I worked in the same building at one time) At times I would go home with your Mom on a Friday Night and spend the night. (after Uncle Del had been called up from the Reserves to active duty)We’d have such a good time. They had this cute little house that was behind another big home in LA. Your Mom & Dad were married before us of course and when Uncle Del was called up, your Dad returned the favor of taking me to see him when he was in Boot Camp in SanDiego. Now picture this, he only had a weekend pass and he’d come up on Friday Night, drive me, plus you Mom, to San Diego on Saturday, then have to return to base on Sunday. He was stationed in Barstow at that time. Talk about a lot of driving!!! I’ve often wondered how that set with your Mom. I’m sure she wasn’t always thrilled but I don’t remember her making any remarks.

Remembering the Wedding: when we were married, your Dad & Mom stood up with us as you know and the only regret I have is that we didn’t have the guys wear their uniforms. That would have been special. But we were young and dumb. Before the wedding, your Mom was a help to me. We talked of many things on the nights I spent with her and she helped me find someone who could lend me my Veil, as her dress didn’t have one. She was already pregnant with you by this time and we weren’t sure she could get the dress on she was to wear as the Matron of Honor, but she squeezed into it. It was an interesting afternoon and evening. The night before, Uncle Del and I had gone out for a Milk Shake and I spilled some of mine on my Coat. I had to take it to the cleaners (as it was the only one I had) and put in on a rush to get it clean before the Wedding. We made it but I wasn’t sure at the time of course. Another detail was the hall we were to have the reception in wasn’t cleaned when we got there so who do you suppose did it, the 4 of us. And, it that isn’t enough, there was no ice for the punch when all got set up sooo your Uncle went after it (before the wedding and held it up a half an hour) But all went well after that and we got “hitched”.

Another thing your Mom and I did together was our pregnancies. I proceeded to get P.G. right away (although we weren’t planning on that) so your Mom & I went to the Naval Hospital together. I can’t seem to remember where it was but we thought it was FAR away. It makes me laugh now as we are so spread out all over this area as a family, an hour drive is nothing any-more. Your Dad had gone to Japan by this time and I was living in an apartment by myself in LA. When Uncle Del couldn’t come home I’d go visit your Mom. I worked till the time we could get a place together in SanDiego which was August. (You came along the month before and your Mom was busy with her new “Baby Girl”)


I really treasure the time your Mom and I had together. She informed and guided me thru things I wasn’t too sure about. Our lives changed after I moved. I had a new way of life to get used to living in Naval Housing and your Mom had to be a Mom without your Dad for a while. But we both got thru it O.K. What an experience that was. But that is another story.

When we both were no longer Service Men’s Wives, and got back into close proximity again, we became close as couples and as you girls grew up you spent time in our home and we played lots of cards in your parent’s home. The only way I can remember any of these things now is when God prompts me. I look at old pictures but can’t conjure up the day they were taken. But life goes on and new people come into it but the one constant that I know of is God. He Never Changes. I’m so glad He brought your Parents into my life. They were neat people. Parents are a treasure among treasures. Yours and my Parents are gone but the memories linger on. We both have our own families now and memories to build with them. We have friends who come into our lives and they deposit memories as well.


Love to you and yours, Aunt Barbara

Twelve Years Ago This Month

A million times we've needed you
A million times we've cried.
If love alone could have saved you,
You never would have died.
In life, we loved you dear,
In death we love you still.
In our hearts you hold a place
No one will ever fill.
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn't go alone,
For a part of us went with you
The day God took you home.
God saw you getting tired
And getting better was not to be.
So He put His loving arms around you
And whispered, "come with Me."
With tear-filled eyes we watched you,
Suffer and fade away.
Although we loved you deeply
We could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard working hands at rest.
God broke our hearts to prove us
He only takes the best.
We thought of you with love today
But that is nothing new.
We thought about you yesterday
And the day before that too.
We think of you in silence,
We often speak your name.
All we have now are memories
And your picture in a frame.
Your memory is our keepsake
With which we will never part.
God has you in his keeping-
We have you in our hearts.
A million times we have missed you
A million times we have cried.
If love alone could have saved you
Then you never would have died.
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn't go alone.
For a part of us went with you
The day God took you home.

In Memory of my Dad

I wrote this in 1998 by taking several different things that I found in news papers and putting them together.