More
about Nan...
(This
interview, in its entirety, appears at Crystal Miller's
Chat
'n' Chew Cafe'.)
Childhood
ambition – As a child, I loved dogs. My mother
raised German Shepherds for a short while, during which
time the female had three litters. The dog developed breast
abscesses with her first litter of thirteen puppies, which
meant my mother, my eight-year-old sister and I, at age
ten, got up at all hours to feed the puppies from doll bottles.
I loved the puppies so much I named each one of them. We
managed to save the puppies. My dog's next litter was eleven
puppies. By this time, my father had erected a large dog
house for them. I spent many days inside that dog house.
At first, the puppies' eyes were closed, and I couldn't
wait for them to open. One by one, the puppies began opening
their steel-gray eyes and romping in our yard. And, as before,
I named each of them. I had other dogs as well, three dachshunds,
and a couple of mutts. At one time, I thought of being a
veterinarian, but curtailed my ambition since I couldn't
stand the sight of blood.
Fondest
Memory – My fondest memory before age five
was my mother reading nursery rhymes to me before naptime.
She also sang some old-timey songs like "Red River
Valley" and "I've Got Sixpence." I still
recall most of the words to the songs because I also sang
them (a little off-tune) to my own children. I was born
during World War II (my father was in the old Army-Air Corps),
and my mother sang some of the military songs of that era
to us as well. Other fond memories were of long summer days
sitting in clover-filled grass, looking for four-leaf clovers
or making chain bracelets and necklaces from the white flowers.
I also loved hot, Georgia summers spent playing "Red
Rover, Red Rover," or "Kick the Can" with
a group of kids.
Proudest
Moment (Now) – My proudest moment is to know
that my oldest son, who only finished one quarter in college,
had the skill and determination to become general manager
of several Atlanta hotels. For the last three years, he
was general manager of a large, downtown Chicago hotel.
Though I certainly don’t deserve credit, he says he
owes a lot to how I raised him.
Another
proud moment occurred a few years ago when I learned from
cousins on both sides of the family that my ancestors on
my mother’s side and on my father’s both served
at Valley Forge with George Washington.
Biggest
Challenge as a Child – I was five years old
in 1949 when I became sick. I remember being so sick I couldn't
even get out of bed. My mother, who wasn't a worrier, hovered
over me, and she took my temperature numerous times a day.
One day when the doctor came for a visit (he was also a
friend of my parents), he said I had rheumatic fever.
I could
hear whispering outside my door, and by the sound in her
voice I knew my mother was alarmed. After the doctor left,
I became very concerned. "Am I going to die?"
I asked. Her answer: "I don't know, but I hope not,"
and then she changed the subject. My doctor told my parents
that I absolutely should not exert myself, or run, for an
entire year because he was concerned about heart damage.
I remember having to walk very slowly to school, and at
Thanksgiving, when we had our Thanksgiving play, I was given
the role of "tree." Even with his care, I have
mitral valve regurgitation, which may have been caused by
the rheumatic fever.
My
First Job – I took business courses in high
school and after graduation, went to work. I worked as secretary
at a moderately sized cemetery. At first, I liked the job,
which consisted of typing paperwork for the different cemetery
lots and keeping up with other records. One day, my boss
came into the office grinning. He placed a box on my lap,
which I held wondering why he gave it to me. Then he said,
"Do you know what you're holding?" I shook my
head. "It's Mrs. So-and-So's remains." I couldn't
get the box off my lap fast enough. I finally quit the job
a couple of years later when I couldn't fight tears any
longer as I watched people burying their loved ones. One
time, a friend from high school's girlfriend had gotten
killed in a car wreck. Tears streaked my face as I watched
from the office window. Doug's shoulders shook with emotion,
and I suffered with him.
Favorite
Outfit – Cowgirl outfit. Although I had a
couple of dolls, I really didn’t care too much for
them, but instead preferred animals. I also had a real love
for the early cowboy and Indian shows like "Roy Rogers,"
"Rin Tin Tin," and others. So one Christmas, my
parents bought me a cowgirl outfit complete with guns and
holster. I think that was also the year my father bought
me a train set (though I'm not sure it was for me).
Favorite
Childhood Book – In fifth grade, my teacher
read a chapter every day in a book titled The Haunted
Hound. It was powerful and heady stuff for a fifth-grader.
We placed our heads on our desks and visualized the scenes
of this book. And when the end came, and the dog died, there
wasn't a dry eye in the classroom. I believe that book was
one of the milestones that built my empathy. Another milestone
occurred when I was five. A little girl who visited our
house had a naked doll, and I remember feeling sorry for
her. I wanted to give her my only set of doll clothes, but
when I realized my sister had a second set, I gave the little
girl my sister's doll clothes. Not a good idea—especially
when you have to explain to your mother.
Other
memories – In 1950, my mother was one of
the few women who worked, but she made sure we were cared
for. She hired a large, African-American woman whose name
I still remember— Lajuana— who took very good
care of us. I loved Lajuana and her roomy lap where I often
sat and nestled into her chest. When my mother's dad died
in Panama, Mama nestled her head into her lap as well, and
cried. I have fond memories of this woman who was the color
of rich coffee beans and whose compassion knew no bounds.
I often dreamed of finding her and telling her what an impression
she made on me.
Another
revived memory revolves around Christian camp. Though there
was a downside when my pastor had to take my sister and
me home because of family discord, the richest memories
still live. Besides all the fun we had at camp, I enjoyed
learning about Jesus. I didn't learn about Him at home,
but through a kind pastor who took it upon himself to take
us to church every Sunday morning, Sunday evening and Wednesday
night. His faithfulness to the Lord makes me who I am in
Jesus today.
Thanks
for sharing yourself, Nan!
