Dad Loved Learning (Jeanne)

As I've gotten more of my parents' papers to sort through and recycle or shred, I sometimes think about having some "time capsule" moments. This piece of paper in my dad's writing is one of them.

It says "I would like to learn an effective method of studying that will enable me to retain knowledge and help me to compete with other students in the years to come. I would like to learn efficient reading, note taking, also how to better concentrate upon the things that I do."

This was when he was taking classes at Normandale Community College after he retired. It was before his hands started getting so shaky. It was before he lost his vision to macular degeneration.

It also brings to mind his stories of school in Canada. He only "went through the eighth grade" but told us that he had learned all the curriculum through the tenth grade because of the one-room school house model. He loved to tell stories about going to night classes at "West High" and getting his GED.

He was so very proud when he graduated from Normandale with his Associate of Arts degree. I should find that photo and post it here! He was the oldest student and everyone knew who he was.

I also find it very interesting that his goal statement includes the word "compete" . . . yes, he was very competitive. He loved to learn, but he also loved to win.

Comments

Emergency Contact (Jeanne)

This is a sad story. I'm not 100% what year it was (2011-2013?) but I had to fill out the same old paperwork for work. Every year, the same stuff! Phone number, address, blah blah blah. (I was super tempted to write "Nothing's changed.") But on the section where it asked for a secondary contact in case of emergency, I paused. And cried. Louie is always my first contact. But my mom had always been that second one, just in case. And it must have been the fall of 2011, because I remember the struggle I felt knowing she wouldn't have the mental acuity to take an emergency call on my behalf. The realization that her role in my life had changed and I needed to be strong for her . . . rather than me being able to lean on her . . . that was hard. I asked Morgan if I could put his name and number down in case of an emergency if they couldn't reach his dad. Of course, he said yes. I am incredibly blessed that I had my mom around for 48 years of my life and that ...

Earthquakes (Jeanne)

With the news of the earthquake that hit Morocco last Friday (Sept. 8, 2023), I was reminded of a conversation I had with my mom many years ago. We were talking about things that scared us. She said she was most frightened of earthquakes. That surprised me, but as we talked she shared about her time living in California in the 1950s. She said it was a terrible feeling to be going about her day and have things suddenly start shaking and rattling. She told me she never wanted to live in an earthquake zone again. I asked her if it was more frightening than tornadoes and she said absolutely. We talked about how we'd never experienced hurricanes or volcanoes. It was an interesting conversation that I just recently remembered. Actually, I think she may have been on the gulf coast during a hurricane after that conversation . . . but I wasn't there. That's a Louise story to tell!

Music! (Jeanne)

I've often said that I didn't grow up with much singing . . . but that's not entirely true. Recently, I started singing Alouette ( Canadian version ). It got me thinking about why that song was in my brain and what triggered me to start singing it out of the blue. I remembered back to when we were singing it in French class (8th grade?) and I was very familiar with the tune. I had not known, however, that it was about plucking a bird's feathers! And further, the verses have us plucking feathers from the different body parts INCLUDING THE BEAK! If you're curious but don't speak French, here are the lyrics in English. It was fun to learn about this song my dad had sung to me. Besides Alouette , we grew up singing Frère Jacques . I guess my dad was more into singing (and playing piano) than my mom was. I wish I had recorded him singing when I had the opportunity. I could probably add more to this entry (and perhaps I will later), but I need to work on more pr...

Eileen and Larry Somers

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