Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Pancake Dinner

As I remember, on occasion we had some special meals.  One such special meal was a pancake supper.  Floyd mixed coins into the pancakes for us to find.  The rule was that you had to eat all the pancakes you took on your plate.  If you wanted more you had to bring an empty plate to the server.  We would dig through to extract the coins and then quickly wolf down the pancakes for more.  After a bit you became so full that even the promise of riches were not enough.  Of course, the older boys found more coins than the younger boys since they could eat more.    Can you imagine today trying to do this?

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

I Never Had a Teddy Bear

The boy’s dorm consisted of several functional rooms including a long, open bay sleeping room.  On one side was a line of lockers where we kept our clothes.  Each boy was assigned a locker and bed.  Next to our bed was a straight back chair.  Each night we would have our clothes for the next day folded neatly on the seat of the chair.  On top of the clothes would be our socks rolled neatly into a ball.

One of my lasting memories is that as a child I never had a teddy bear or stuffed animal to sleep with.  So each night after lights out when no one was looking I would take my rolled up socks and snuggle up to it like a teddy bear. 

As my daughters were growing up I always made sure they had stuffed animal toys to play with and to have as best friends.  I’ve also ensured our grandchildren had stuffed toys.  If I were the richest man in the world I would ensure that every child I came across would have their choice of a stuffed toy.

Several years ago one of my daughters gave me a teddy bear for Christmas.  Now you might think this is a silly gift to give a grown man but I want you to know that this is one of my most treasured possessions.  I’ve named it, “Poppy Bear.”  (My granddaughters call me Poppy).  He holds a special place of honor in my house with his own rocking chair and blanket.  When my granddaughters come to visit they like to drag him around and take naps with him.  No bear has been or will be more loved than Poppy Bear.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Floyd and Jesse Pope

Imagine preparing food and feeding up to 100 children.  As a parent of four it was often a major undertaking.  I can’t imagine feeding that many 3 meals a day.  Our kitchen staff was headed up by Floyd and Jesse Pope.  There were probably others but I only remember these brave men.  Not only did they provide us with sustenance but they always seemed to do so cheerfully.  They seemed to know each of us by name and would always have something pleasant to say.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

We got gloves!

As you can imagine, with so many children to provide clothing for some would have more or better clothing than others.  For example, I recall one winter that many of us didn't have gloves.  Of course, this didn't deter us from playing outside no matter the weather.  Much to our suprise and delight, one day a large box of gloves arrived at the orphanage.  I have no idea where they came from but it was a large box of miss matched gloves.  I don't know know if some charitable organization provided them or some company donated them but "WE GOT GLOVES!"  You would see us with perhaps a mitten on one hand and a glove on the other.  You would see a red and yellow striped glove on the left hand and a blue and gray glove on the right hand.  We didn't care.  As I look back on this in later years I've learned from it and many such events that the simple things in life are rewarding in themselves.  You could not have found a happier group of children at that time.  Our hands were warm and our hearts were thankful to whomever provided this wonderful gift.  To this day when I put on my gloves I frequently recall this event with warm thankfulness.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Welcome!

Over the years many children were residents at Our Lady of Nazareth Orphanage.  I would love to hear from any of you that find this blog.  I would love to hear your memories and how you are doing now.  Also, if you have photographs to share then please do.  Feel free to contact me by e-mail at latondave@gmail.com