Monday, May 27, 2013

THANKS

Thanks to those who came before me.

Jack (John) Cooper, my father’s dad: good with horses—drove stage coach and freight wagons, worked in sawmills on the coasts of Washington and Oregon, talented at math and a clever card player, car salesman, plus many other talents—truly a jack of all trades.

 Mary Lucinda Hendricks, my father’s mom:  grew up on farms cultivated out of the sagebrush of Idaho in the early 1900’s. She didn’t have a lot of opportunity for schooling but was a quick learner and hard worker.  She was hired as a cook for wealthy families.  Her baking and pie making were legend.

Ralph Collings, my mom’s dad: carpenter, skilled mechanic, farmer, beekeeper, sheared and raised prize winning sheep.

 Nellie Elida Hunt, my mom’s mother:
School teacher, writer, homemaker and mother.  Raised all but two or her eight children through the deepest part of the Great Depression. Lover of gardens and literature.

 Lindell Cooper, my dad:
Horseman, mechanic, dairyman, farmer.  Started married life with a two-room house and 40 acres and retired owning two hundred acres of prime farm land and a dairy. All four of his children went to college.

Blanche Collings, my mother: Nurse, homemaker, gardener, writer, lover of literature and travel.  Tended to the needs of all the animals on their farm, milked cows and raised four kids.


Thanks also to those who have put their lives on the line to defend the freedoms of the world such as:

My Uncle Ward Collings, U.S. Navy—World War II

 Uncle Ralph W. Collings, U.S. Army—World War II served in Australia

 Uncle Joe—John Josiah Cooper, U.S. Army World War II, Philippines.

 Gordon J. Black, my husband and father of our children—and my brother, John L. Cooper, both served in the U.S. Sixth Army out of Fort Lewis, Washington during the Vietnam War.

To all who have come before us to pave the way, to those we love who have gone too soon and to all those who preserve our liberties—on this Memorial Day—THANK YOU.

Who is on your list of people to honor?

9 comments:

TALON said...

It's wonderful that you have those photos, Leenie. Thank you for sharing. Yes, to my father, my brother and my oldest son (who serves to this day), I give thanks. To all who have defended freedom and continue to do so, I am eternally grateful.

Anonymous said...

That was beautifully done.

Linda Sue said...

Gritty folks, all super good looking- you resemble your Dad quite a lot when he was so young. Beautiful people, all!

Anonymous said...

A very appropriate post for today--I LOVED IT!!

RURAL said...

I do so love seeing the old photos...what history there is hiding in those black and whites.

Jen

Maude Lynn said...

What gorgeous old photos! Beautiful post, Leenie.

Sarah said...

What a lovely and fascinating insight into your family history Leenie. I loved reading it.

Terry and Linda said...

I ADORE that smile of pure joy on your first photo!

This post is lovely!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

Anzu said...

Yes! Thanks to our relatives.
Your mother and father are charming !
You look a lot like them.(*'-'*)