I have been trying to recall what I have previously posted so as not to be too repetitive. As you may recall, i started to post about the 1969-1970 years and my involvement and concerns about education and the affects it would have on my kids. As you may recall, I ran for a position on the County School Board and was defeated. As a result of that defeat it lead me to realize that a Christian school was the answer. Backing up to the years prior to that mainly the 60's, everything seemed to be going well at work and at home. Just prior to our moving from 35th st in NLR to Barber st. in Sylvan Hills, my Mom died in Louisiana. It was just after her death that i did some work on the church building at Levy. My Mom had no insurance so there were funeral expenses that had to be paid for. I was working the 3 to 11 shift at the plant and found some extra work with the contractor on the Levy building. I would get up in the mornings and work at the church building till noon and then back to my regular job at the plant. I suppose this was one of the most difficult times of my life but i never regretted having to do this. One other problem area was the loss of two brothers and a sister within a year. My oldest sister Lillian died just a short time after Jack and Bennie. I was in Belguim and did not know Lillian had died until I came back home in January 1972. I had gone to spend Christmas with George and Julia who were at NATO headquarters in Brussels. I had really enjoyed that visit and the travels to France, Germany, Holland and Luxembourg. The family knew it would be impossible to notify me of her death since we spent most of my time there traveling. We were in Amsterdam on News Years eve. I will always remember those places like the Anne Frank house and the many other places we traveled to during my stay. One interesting event was Notre Dame Cathredal on Christman Eve night, and also being on the North Sea on New Years Day and watching the Polar Bear Club swimming in the ocean with the temperature around zero.
I also had a chance to visit our sister plant in Cuyk, Holland. The Plant Manager was intrested in my thoughts on providing uniforms to employees. Back home we furnished uniforms to our employees at no cost to them. I could see why he was interested in uniforms based on how the women dressed there. Nothing was left to imagination and it was evident that the women would have two more cheeks to powder everyday.
Another situation that was tragic for our family was Kathleen losing her Mom, Dad and Sister within a year. Some how we are really never prepared for sudden losses of family members and it takes its toll on those family members left. Yet, it is our faith in God that helps us to get past those times in our lives that we are not prepared for.
George has asked about my lifes goals. I suppose to be honest, I had really had set no goals other than making a living and supporting my family. However, when I reached a Supervisory level with J and J, goals became an important part of my life. We had to set yearly goals for out Depts. and had to report on those goals on an ongoing basis. Meeting those goals or achieving success determined your future and income. I was most blessed or either lucky that I was able to meet the challenges that were there and did achieve most of them. I don't think I have ever backed off from a challenge and always tried to do my best. At least, i don't think my family ever went hungry or had to do without what was needed. There were things we did without but they would fall under the area of luxaries. Anyway, if any of you have a rebuttal to that, let me know.