OUR LITTLE FAMILY GROWS!

IT WAS SPRINGTIME, AND UNUSUAL FOR US BECAUSE IT WAS STILL COLD AND WE WERE USED TO THE WARM WEATHER IN TEXAS. I SPENT THE TIME GETTING READY FOR MY BABY TO ARRIVE AND IT SEEMED THAT THE TIME WAS CRAWLING BY. SHE WAS DUE ON MAY THE FIRST, AND BY THE END OF APRIL, I WAS MORE THAN READY FOR HER TO COME. I SHOULD CLARIFY THAT WE DID NOT KNOW IF IT WAS A BOY OR GIRL, BACK THEN YOU JUST HAD TO WAIT. I NEVER GOT REALLY LARGE WITH HER, AND THAT WAS KIND OF DISSAPOINTING, AS I WANTED TO WADDLE AROUND AND HAVE EVERYONE ADMIRE MY TUMMY! BUT, FINALLY THE BIG DAY CAME. IT WAS MAY THE FIRST. ALL DAY, I SAT AND WAITED FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN. NOTHING. OKAY, ON MAY SECOND, SAME THING. NOTHING. MAY THIRD, FOURTH, FIFTH, HEY WAIT A MINUTE! I AM WAITING FOR A BABY HERE! NOTHING. FINALLY, TWO WEEKS WENT BY. NOTHING. THREE WEEKS, NOTHING. FINALLY, THREE WEEKS AND FOUR DAYS, SUDDENLY, (WHATEVER!) I GOT A TINY CRAMP IN MY BACK. YIPPEE! THE BABY SHOULD BE HERE ANYTIME NOW! BY THE WAY, DID I TELL YOU THAT I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN DURING CHILDBIRTH? I KNEW HOW THE BABY GOT IN, BUT I WAS NOT SURE WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN THE BABY CAME OUT! A FEW MORE TINY CRAMPS AND WE WERE OFF TO THE HOSPITAL. OF COURSE, IT WAS ONLY FALSE LABOR. SO, I CRIED. DURING THE NIGHT, THE CRAMPS RETURNED, AND WERE STRONGER. I WAITED THIS TIME, AND WHEN THEY HAD A SEMBLANCE OF ORDER, OFF TO THE HOSPITAL WE WENT. I WAS TOLD TO GO HOME AND WAIT, IT WAS NOT YET TIME. BY NOW, I AM VERY DISCOURAGED, AND CRIED ALL THE WAY HOME AND FOR SEVERAL HOURS AFTER. IT WAS A SATURDAY, AND I WAS SO UPSET- MARTIN TOOK ME FOR A WALK AND A HAMBURGER, THE CRAMPS WERE STEADY, AND GETTING STRONGER BUT THEY WERE IN MY BACK SO I THOUGHT THAT I WOULD WAIT TILL THEY GOT IN MY STOMACH AND TRY TO GO BACK TO THE HOSPITAL. BED TIME CAME, AND THE CRAMPS IN MY BACK GOT WORSE. STILL, I HAD TO WAIT TILL THEY WERE IN MY TUMMY RIGHT? ALL NIGHT, I LAY THERE AND THE CRAMPS WERE KILLING ME. I DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE THAT THEY WERE REGULAR, I ONLY THOUGHT THAT BECAUSE THEY WERE IN MY BACK THAT IT WASN'T REAL LABOR. BY EARLY MORNING, I WAS GASPING WITH THE PAIN. MARTIN WANTED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL, BUT I WOULDN'T BECAUSE I DID NOT WANT TO BE SENT HOME AGAIN. SO, ON IT WENT. FINALLY, ABOUT 11:30 AM, MY FRIEND WHO WAS A NURSE CAME TO CHECK ON ME. SHE WAS SHOCKED WHEN SHE SAW ME, AS MY FACE WAS RED AND SPLOTCHY, AND I COULD NOT TAKE A DEEP BREATH. SHE ASKED MY HOW I WAS FEELING AND I TOLD HER THAT THE PAIN WAS UNBEARABLE, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. SHE TOLD MARTIN TO TAKE ME RIGHT AWAY TO THE HOSPITAL, BUT HE TOLD HER I REFUSED TO GO AND WHY. SHE TOLD HIM "GO NOW! SHE CANNOT WAIT ANY LONGER!" SO, MARTIN CARRIED ME TO THE CAR, (BY NOW WE HAD FOUND AN OLD CAR THAT WE COULD AFFORD) AND SHOVED ME INTO THE FRONT SEAT. I ARGUED ALL THE WAY TO THE HOSPITAL AND TOLD HIM I WASN'T GETTING OUT! I DIDN'T WANT TO BE SENT HOME AGAIN. WHEN WE ARRIVED AT THE HOSPITAL, THE PARKING LOT WAS FULL. IT WAS SUNDAY, AND I GUESS EVERYONE WAS VISITING THEIR RELATIVES. MARTIN TOLD ME TO WAIT AT THE DOORWAY WHILE HE PARKED THE CAR. I WAS WAITING FOR HIM WHEN A TREMENDOUS CRAMP HIT ME AND I FELL. I COULDN'T GET UP, AND ASKED A SOLDIER STANDING THERE TO HELP ME. HE SAID HE WOULD GO FOR HELP, BUT JUST TO LAY THERE. OF COURSE, I DIDN'T DO THAT, I STRUGGLED UP AND DECIDED TO GO TO LABOR AND DELIVERY JUST IN CASE I WAS GOING TO HAVE THE BABY. WHEN I GOT INTO THE DELIVERY WARD, A NURSE TOLD ME TO LIE DOWN ON A GURNEY. NEXT TO ME WAS A WOMAN WHO WAS SCREAMING HER HEAD OFF. BY NOW I AM THOUROULY TERRIFIED AND AM CRYING WITH FEAR. THE LADY CONTINUED TO SCREAM, AND I REALIZED THAT WITH EACH CRAMP IN MY BACK I AM WHEEZING FOR AIR. (IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS IN SO MUCH PAIN I GUESS) FINALLY A DOCTOR CAME AND TOOK THAT WOMAN OFF, BUT YOU COULD HEAR HER SCREAMING FROM DOWN THE HALL. A NURSE CHECKED ME, AND SAID, "OH MY GOODNESS! DON'T MOVE! DO NOT MOVE!" WELL, WHERE DID SHE THINK I WAS GOING? A SWEET YOUNG DOCTOR CAME DASHING INTO THE ROOM AND SAID, "HEY SUGAR, ARE YOU READY TO HAVE YOUR BABY?" I GASPED, "NO, I CAN'T HAVE THE BABY YET". HE LOOKED SO SUPRISED, AND ASKED ME WHY WOULD I SAY SUCH A THING- AND I TOLD HIM THAT I WAS NOT SCREAMING LIKE THAT OTHER WOMAN AND THE PAINS WERE IN MY BACK AND I GUESS IT WAS NOT TIME FOR ME YET. HE SAID, "OH YOU POOR LITTLE THING. YOU DON'T HAVE TO SCREAM LIKE HER, AND ANYWAY, I CAN SEE THE BABY'S HEAD! JUST GIVE ME A LITTLE PUSH AND LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS!" WELL, I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS! YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT I HAVE ALREADY BEEN THROUGH LABOR AND I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IT? ALL THIS PAIN WAS LABOR? WHAT ABOUT THE TIMING? THE TUMMY CRAMPS? IT DIDN'T HAPPEN LIKE THIS IN THE MOVIES! BUT, HE WAS TELLING ME TO PUSH, AND SO I GAVE IT MY ALL, (WHAT LITTLE I HAD LEFT!) OF COURSE, ONE LITTLE PUSH DIDN'T DO IT, BUT A FEW MORE DID, AND THEN- I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD A LITTLE GIRL! THEY HELD HER UP FOR ME TO SEE, AND THERE BEFORE ME WAS A TINY LITTLE MARTIN FACE! I LOOKED AT HERE AND THEN TOLD HER-"OH BABY, I AM SO SCARED. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO BE A MAMA TO YOU, BUT I TELL YOU ONE THING, NO ONE WILL EVER HURT YOU AND I WILL BE THE BEST MAMA I CAN!" I THEN GOT TO HOLD HER AND IT WAS THE SWEETEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE.
NOW, DURING THIS CRISIS, MARTIN WAS STILL PARKING THE CAR. HE FINALLY GOT A PARKING SPACE, AND RAN TO THE HOSPITAL ENTRANCE ONLY TO FIND ME GONE. HE RAN TO LABOR AND DELIVERY, AND SINCE HE DIDN'T SEE ME HE DUTIFULLY WENT TO THE FATHER'S WAITING ROOM. (BACK THEN, THE DADDIES STILL HAD TO WAIT OUTSIDE). HE WAS SO UPSET, AND THE GUY NEXT TO HIM SAID THAT HIS WIFE WAS HAVING NUMBER FOUR AND IT NEVER GOT ANY EASIER. MARTIN TOLD HIM HE WAS NOT GOING THROUGH THIS ANYMORE, ONE WAS ENOUGH FOR HIM! THE OTHER GUY SAID HE WISHED HE HAD MARRIED AN ORIENTAL WOMAN, BECAUSE ONE JUST CAME IN AND THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW, SHE JUST POPPED A BABY OUT. MARTIN ASKED HOW HE KNEW IT WAS AN ORIENTAL WOMAN, AND THE GUY SAID, "OH HER NAME WAS GEE OR LEE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT". MARTIN JUMPED UP AND SAID, "SEE?!!! WAS HER NAME SEE?!!! THE GUY SAID, "COULDA BEEN, I AM NOT SURE, ANYWAY, SHE JUST HAD THE KID, SO GO LOOK IN THE NURSERY". MARTIN RAN TO THE NURSERY, AND SURE ENOUGH, THE NURSE WAS CLEANING UP A NEWBORN. MARTIN STARTED TAPPING FRANTICALLY ON THE GLASS, AND THE NURSE LOOKED AT HIM, SMILED, AND HELD UP A BEAUTIFUL BABY BOY! MARTIN WAS BESIDE HIMSELF, HE HAD HAD A LITTLE BOY! HE COULDN'T BELIEVE IT! A SON! WHILE HE WAS REVELING IN THESE FEELINGS OF JOY AND SNAPPING EVERY PICTURE ON THE ROLL OF FILM , ANOTHER NURSE CAME OUT AND CALLED HIS NAME. HE TURNED AROUND AND SHE SAID, "MR. SEE? MEET YOUR BEAUTIFUL BABY DAUGHTER!" AND HANDED HIM OUR LITTLE GIRL. HE ALMOST PASSED OUT! TWINS? WE HAD TWINS?!!! SHE TOLD HIM THAT, NO, JUST THE ONE LITTLE GIRL. TURNS OUT, THAT OF COURSE HE THOUGHT THE LITTLE BOY IN THE NURSERY WAS HIS- AND HE SAID, "WELL, WHAT ABOUT THAT ONE- HE'S NOT MINE TOO?" SHE TOLD HIM, NO, NOT HIS, AND DIDN'T HE NOTICE THAT IT WAS A BLACK CHILD? SHE TOOK OUR BABY BACK TO THE NURSERY AND LET HIM COME IN TO SEE ME. HE LOOKED SO WORN AND CONFUSED. HE TOLD ME THAT HE HAD TAKEN ALL THE PICTURES OF ANOTHER BABY IN THE NURSERY AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY FILM LEFT TO TAKE PICTURES OF OURS. I ASKED HIM HOW HE COULD MAKE SUCH A MISTAKE, AFTER ALL THE BABY BORN BEFORE OUR BABY WAS TO A BLACK WOMAN- DIDN'T HE NOTICE THAT? HE SHEEPISHLY TOLD ME THAT NO, HE DIDN'T NOTICE, HE WAS JUST SO GLAD THAT HE HAD A BABY! I JUST THOUGHT THAT WAS SO FUNNY AND COULD NOT STOP LAUGHING ABOUT IT. FINALLY HE WENT AND GOT MORE FILM AND WE WERE ABLE TO PHOTOGRAPH OUR LITTLE ANGEL. WE NAMED HER JESSICA LEEANNE SEE, AND SHE WAS THE FIRST OF OUR WONDERFUL FAMILY. GOOD THING HEAVENLY FATHER SENT HER FIRST, BECAUSE SHE HAD TO BE EXTRA TOUGH, AS I LEARNED HOW TO BE A MAMA BY MAKING MISTAKES ON HER. SHE HAS ALWAYS FORGIVEN ME FOR THAT I HOPE, AND ANYWAY, SHE IS ONE TOUGH BIRD TODAY! LOVE, NANASEE

TROUBLE ON THE HORIZON

WELL, CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS CAME AND WENT. WE HAD THE NEW YEAR TO LOOK FORWARD TO, AND THEN, WHAM, A PROBLEM OUT OF THE BLUE. MARTIN RECEIVED ORDERS TO GO TO KOREA. HE WAS DUE TO LEAVE AT THE END OF FEBRUARY. THAT WOULD LEAVE ME ALL ALONE AND 7 MONTHS PREGNANT. AT FIRST, I WAS TERRIFIED, BUT THEN, I REMEMBERED THAT THERE SHOULD BE A SOLUTION TO ANY PROBLEM, AND SO, I SAT DOWN, PRAYED ABOUT IT AND WAITED FOR AN ANSWER. I KNEW THEY WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO GO WITH HIM AND HE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE GONE FOR 18 MONTHS. I DIDNT' WANT TO HAVE THE BABY ALONE, AND SO I CAME UP WITH A SOLUTION, (OR SO I THOUGHT). I HAD MARTIN ASK THE ARMY FOR A DEFERRMENT OF HIS ORDERS UNTIL THE BABY ARRIVED. I DIDN'T THINK THIS WOULD BE A PROBLEM, BECAUSE I HAD NO HOME OR ANYONE TO HELP ME WITH THE BABY. WE PUT IN THE REQUEST, AND WAITED. TWO WEEKS WENT BY. THREE WEEKS, FOUR WEEKS. IT WAS NOW THE MIDDLE OF FEBRUARY. I BEGAN TO WORRY. MARTIN WENT TO HE SARGENT TO FIND OUT IF HE HAD HEARD ANYTHING. HE TOLD US NO, HE HADN'T AND IF HE DID HE WOULD LET US KNOW. ANOTHER WEEK WENT BY. NOW, WE HAVE TO MAKE PLANS TO GO SOMEWHERE, BUT WHERE? MARTIN WAS DUE TO GO OVERSEAS IN A WEEK, AND I DID NOT KNOW WHERE I WAS GOING TO GO. WE ASKED AGAIN IF THE SARGENT HAD HEARD ANYTHING. HE SAID NOT TO WORRY, IF WE GOT THE DEFERRMENT AFTER MARTIN WAS OVERSEAS, THEY WOULD SEND HIM HOME UNTIL THE BABY WAS BORN. WHEN MARTIN TOLD ME THIS, I KNEW THIS MAN WAS LYING! I COULD NOT IMAGINE WHY, BUT I KNEW HE WAS. THE NEXT DAY, I WENT TO THE ADJUTENT GENERAL'S OFFICE. AFTER ASKING FOR AN APPOINTMENT, WE WERE TOLD TO COME BACK THE NEXT DAY. BY NOW, I HAD STARTED PACKING OUR FEW THINGS. I WEPT ALL DAY, I WAS SO FRIGHTENED. I DIDN'T WANT TO BE ALONE WITHOUT MARTIN FOR SO LONG. THE NEXT DAY, WE HAD THE APPOINTMENT WITH THE AG. AFTER HEARING OUR STORY, HE TOLD US THAT HE WOULD LOOK INTO IT. WE TOLD HIM MARTIN WAS DUE TO LEAVE IN A FEW DAYS, HE SAID HE WOULD INVESTIGATE RIGHT AWAY. HE FOUND THAT MARTIN'S SARGENT HAD RECEIVED THE ORDERS GRANTING THE DEFERRMENT AT THE FIRST OF FEBRUARY! HE HAD BEEN HIDING THEM! ALL THAT WORRY FOR NOTHING! THE AG WAS SO ANGRY, HE HAD THE SARGENT IMMEDIATLEY SHIPPED OVERSEAS. WE WERE SAFE FOR AWHILE. I CRIED WITH RELIEF- MARTIN COULD STAY WITH ME UNTIL THE BABY WAS BORN. THEN, THE ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT NEXT DOOR CAME AVAILABLE. FOR AND EXTRA 10 DOLLARS A MONTH, WE COULD ACTUALLY HAVE A BEDROOM! SO, WITH GREAT RELIEF, WE MOVED INTO THE NEW APARTMENT TO AWAIT THE ARRIVAL OF THE BABY. BUT, MORE TROUBLE. ON MARCH 1ST, I AWOKE TO A PUDDLE IN MY BED. MY WATER HAD BROKEN, AND I WAS ONLY 7 MONTHS ALONG! I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO DELIVER IF I STARTED TO RUN A FEVER. THEY KEPT ME FOR 10 DAYS AND NOTHING HAPPENED, SO I WENT HOME, WAITING TO SEE IF I WOULD GO INTO LABOR. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT EASY, BUT ONE DAY, NOT MUCH LONGER AFTER THIS, I SAW IN THE PAPER THAT TURKEY WINGS WERE .10 CENTS A POUND. NOW, THIS WAS SOMETHING WE COULD AFFORD! SO, MARTIN AND I WALKED INTO TOWN TO GET SOME WINGS TO HELP WITH THE GROCERY BILL. WE DAWDLED AROUND ENJOYING OUR TIME IN TOWN, AND THEN WE REALIZED THAT IT WAS GETTING LATE AND BEGINNING TO SNOW. THERE WAS A SHORT CUT BACK, BUT IT TOOK GOING OVER A RUNNING CREEK. WHEN WE GOT TO THE CREEK, BOTH OF US WITH A LARGE BAG OF TURKEY WINGS, WE SAW THAT THERE WAS A BOARD CROSSING THE CREEK. IT LOOKED VERY NARROW TO ME, BUT MARTIN CROSSED IT WITH NO TROUBLE. IT WAS SNOWING AND THE BOARD WAS SLICK. I GOT ABOUT HALF WAY ACROSS, AND SURE ENOUGH, MY FEET FLEW OUT FROM UNDER ME AND I FELL INTO THE CREEK! IT WAS FREEZING! I LANDED ON MY BACKSIDE, UP TO MY WAIST IN THE FRIGID WATER. MY BAG OF TURKEY WINGS BROKE OPEN AND THEPACKAGES STARTED FLOATING DOWN THE CREEK. UPON HEARING MY SCREAM FOR HELP, MARTIN CAME DANCING BACK ACROSS THE BOARD TO HELP ME. HE YELLED AT ME TO SEE IF I WAS HURT, AND TRIED TO HELP ME GET UP. "LEAVE ME ALONE! FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE, SAVE THE TURKEY WINGS!" I CRIED. HE WENT SLOSHING THROUGH THE CREEK, COLLECTING PACKAGES OF TURKEY WINGS, ALL THE TIME LOOKING BACK TO SEE IF I WAS GETTING UP. WELL, I DID GET UP, AND LET ME TELL YOU THAT WAS THE COLDEST WALK HOME I CAN EVERY REMEMBER. BUT, THE TURKEY WAS SAVED, AND THAT'S ALL I WAS WORRIED ABOUT. IT DIDN'T OCCUR TO ME THAT A DIP IN A FREEZING CREEK COULD HAVE HURT THE BABY-FORTUNATELY IT DIDN'T. WE HAD TURKEY FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND I LEARNED THAT YOU CANNOT JUST FRY TURKEY WINGS, I THINK MARTIN ALMOST LOST A TOOTH TRYING TO EAT THE WINGS I FRIED LIKE CHICKEN. TURNS OUT, IF A TURKEY WING IS PRICED CHEAPLY, THERE IS A REASON FOR IT. THAT WAS ONE TOUGH BUNCH OF BIRDS! I HAD TO BOIL THAT MEAT FOR HOURS BEFORE WE COULD EAT IT. TOMORROW, I WILL TELL YOU OF OUR PRECIOUS ARRIVAL! LOVE, NANASEE

OUR FIRST HOLIDAY SEASON

SOON THANKSGIVING WAS UPON US. IT WAS JUST THE TWO OF US, BUT WE WANTED A THANKSGIVING ANYWAY. PROBLEM WAS, WE HAD NO MONEY. SO, WE TOOK THE LITTLE DIAMOND NECKLACE TO THE PAWN SHOP. WE WERE ABLE TO GET A LOAN OF 15.00 FOR IT. THAT SEEMED LIKE SO MUCH MONEY TO US, AND WE WALKED TO THE LITTLE GROCERY STORE. WE BOUGHT A CHICKEN, AND THE REST OF THE MEAL. WE WALKED HOME IN THE COLD AND PUT OUR GROCERIES AWAY, AS I WAS PLANNING THE BEST THANKSGIVING MEAL EVER! WE HAD THE AFTERNOON OPEN, AND GOT A CRAZY IDEA. WE ONLY HAD 5 DOLLARS LEFT, BUT WE WENT TO A LOCAL BIKE SHOP AND RENTED A BICYCLE FOR TWO, AND DECIDED TO TOUR THE ARMY BASE. I WAS ON THE FRONT AND MARTIN PEDALING FROM THE BACK. WE RODE EVERYWHERE, THE WIND MAKING OUR FACES RED AND COLD, BUT IT WAS SUCH FUN! AFTER A WHILE, IT SEEMED TO ME THAT IT WAS GETTING HARDER AND HARDER TO PEDAL. WHAT I DIDN'T KNOW WAS THAT MARTIN WAS STICKING HIS LEGS OUT TO THE SIDE AND MAKING ME DO ALL THE WORK! WE CAME TO A CURB, AND MARTIN WAS NOT PAYING ANY ATTENTION, AND, AS WE BUMPED OVER THE CURB, MARTIN ROLLED OFF THE BACK! SUDDENLY THE BIKE SHOT FORWARD, AND THE PEDALLING WAS A BREEZE! I TOOK OFF, AND HEARD SHOUTING FROM BEHIND ME- "WAIT, HONEY WAIT! STOP, HEY STOP!" I TURNED AROUND TO SEE MARTIN LOPING ALONG LIKE A GIRAFF, WAVING HIS LEFT HAND AND RUBBING HIS BACKSIDE WITH HIS RIGHT. I STOPPED THE BIKE, AND JUST DOUBLED OVER LAUGHING AT HIM. "THAT'S WHAT YOU GET FOR MAKING A PREGNANT LADY HAUL YOU ALL OVER THE BASE!" HE FINALLY CAUGHT UP TO ME, AND GRACIOUSLY OFFERED TO TAKE THE FRONT OF THE BIKE. I LET HIM, (AND DID MY SHARE PEDALLING BY THE WAY) AND ON THE WAY HOME, WE STOPPED FOR HOT CHOCOLATE. IT WAS SUCH A NICE DAY, ONE I WILL NEVER FORGET. ON THANKSGIVING DAY, WE ATE THE CHICKEN AND FIXINGS AND SAID OUR THANKS FOR THE GOOD LIFE WE HAD. AGAIN, WE HAD NO IDEA THAT WE WERE SO POOR.
SOON, IT WAS CHRISTMAST TIME. MARTIN'S FAMILY SENT PLANE TICKETS FOR US TO GO HOME. WE WERE SO EXCITED TO SEE EVERYONE AND SHOW THEM HOW WELL WE WERE DOING. UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN WE GOT ON THE PLANE, MARTIN THOUGHT HE WOULD PLAY A LITTLE TRICK ON ME. HE LOOKED OUT THE PLANE WINDOW AND LOUDLY ANNOUNCED, "HEY LOOK, THERE IS A BIG CRACK IN THE WING!" OF COURSE I PANICKED, BUT SO DID ALL THE PASSENGERS AS WELL! THE NEXT THING WE KNEW, THE FLIGHT WAS POSTPONED WHILE A CREW WENT OUT TO INSPECT THE WING. THE PILOT CAME BACK AND BEGAN TO LOOK FOR THE PRANKSTER. MARTIN WAS SCARED TO DEATH. WHAT DID THEY DO TO SOMEONE WHO CAUSED SUCH A RUCKUS? IT SEEMS THAT YOU GET A STERN WARNING THE FIRST TIME AND ANOTHER WARNING THAT HANDCUFFS WERE AWAITING ANYONE WHO CONTINUED TO CAUSE TROUBLE. THAT WAS THE END OF MARTIN'S IMPISH SPIRIT, HE SAT QUIETLY FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP. OH, EXCEPT FOR THE NEED FOR A BARF BAG. IT SEEMS THAT HE DOES NOT FLY WELL. ON CHRISTMAS EVE, I GOT A SPECIAL GIFT. DEEP IN THE NIGHT, WHILE SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR, I FELT MARTIN TICKLING MY TUMMY. "STOP IT" I GRUMBLED IN MY SLEEP. TICKLE, TICKLE AGAIN. "I'M WARNING YOU, STOP IT!" I GROWLED. I LAY BACK DOWN. TICKLE, TICKLE. OKAY BUDDY, THAT'S IT AND I SHOVED HIM TO MOVE HIM OVER. THE ONLY THING WAS, HE WAS SOUND ASLEEP. AS I SAT THERE, TICKLE, TICKLE, RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF MY TUMMY. THEN I REALIZED, IT WAS THE BABY MOVING FOR THE FIRST TIME! OH MY GOODNESS! I SQUEALED AND WOKE MARTIN. HE WAS LIKE, "WHAT?" AND I TOLD HIM ABOUT THE BABY MOVING. "WELL, I WONDERED WHAT WAS WRONG WITH YOU!" HE SAID. SO, FOR THE REST OF THE NIGHT, I LAY AND WAITED FOR THE LITTLE 'TICKLE, TICKLE" THAT MY BABY WAS MAKING. SHE WAS LETTING ME KNOW THAT SHE WAS RIGHT THERE WITH US ON CHRISTMAS. HOW SPECIAL THAT WAS FOR ME. LOVE, NANASEE

A NEW BEGINNING

WELL, THERE WE WERE, IN OUR OWN LITTLE APARTMENT. ACTUALLY, IT WAS A RAT HOLE, BUT LOVE BLINDS YOU TO MANY THINGS. THE BATHROOM HAD A SHOWER, BUT THE TOILET WAS IN THE SAME SPACE- IN OTHER WORDS, THE SHOWER HEAD WAS ALMOST RIGHT OVER THE TOILET. ONLY A CURTAIN SEPARATED THE BATHROOM FROM THE LIVING AREA. WHEN THE SOFA WAS FOLDED OUT, YOUR FEET WERE IN THE KITCHEN. WE COULDN'T HEAT THE APARTMENT AT NIGHT, BECAUSE DUE TO THE VENTING SYSTEM, (EVERY APARTMENT WAS CONNECTED BY ONE VENTING SYSTEM), YOU COULD HEAR EVERYTHING GOING ON IN ALL THE APARTMENTS. SO, IT WAS EITHER BE WARM, OR BE, WELL YOU KNOW! (WE DIDN'T WANT TO ENTERTAIN THE NEIGHBORS!) WE ONLY HAD A FEW DISHES AND TWO POTS, BUT WE WERE SO HAPPY TO BE TOGETHER. ONE WEEKEND, WE WENT FOR A WALK IN THE SMALL TOWN NEAR THE BASE. THERE WAS A SALVAGE OUTLET THAT HAD A BIT OF EVERYTHING FOR SALE. I FOUND A SET OF CHINA. IT WAS COVERED WITH ROSES AND WAS SO PRETTY. IT WAS ONLY SERVICE FOR FOUR, BUT, GUESS WHAT? IT ONLY COST 2.00 FOR THE SET! IMAGINE, CHINA! I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT! UNFORTUNATLY, TWO DOLLARS WAS REALLY A LOT OF MONEY, AS WE ONLY HAD VERY LITTLE MONEY TO SEE US THROUGH THE MONTH. MARTIN TOOK ONE LOOK AT MY FACE AND DECIDED RIGHT THERE THAT HE WAS GOING TO GET THOSE DISHES FOR ME. OH, I WAS SO HAPPY! MY VERY OWN CHINA! WE CAREFULLY CARRIED THOSE DISHES HOME, AND AFTER PLACING THEM IN THE TINY CUPBOARD, MARTIN LAY DOWN FOR A NAP. I DECIDED TO SURPRISE HIME WITH A ROMANTIC DINNER ON OUR NEW CHINA. I DIDN'T HAVE MUCH TO COOK, BUT I HAD A SMALL AMOUNT GROUND BEEF AND DECIDED TO MAKE A MEATLOAF. I HAD A RECIPE THAT CALLED FOR OATMEAL, GROUND BEEF, AND EGG AND SOME SEASONINGS. I THOUGHT THAT IF A LITTLE OATMEAL WOULD MAKE A MEATLOAF, THEN I COULD ADD MORE TO MAKE A LARGER MEATLOAF. SO, I ADDED THE SAME AMOUNT OF OATMEAL AS I HAD GROUND BEEF. I ADDED THE REST OF THE INGREDIENTS, AND PUT THE MUSHY MESS INTO A CAKE PAN. I MADE MASHED POTATOES, AND GREEN BEANS. FINALLY I SET THE TABLE, AND WOKE MARTIN. HE WRINKLED HIS NOSE AND SAID, "WHAT IS THAT SMELL?" I TOLD HIM IT WAS MY FIRST MEATLOAF- AND SUPPER WAS READY. HE CAME TO THE TABLE, SAW THE CHINA AND SMILED. "OH THE TABLE LOOKS GREAT! " HE SAID, AND SAT DOWN. I BROUGHT THE MEATLOAF TO THE TABLE, AND THOUGHT IT SURE LOOKED LARGE FOR THE AMOUNT OF MEAT AND OATMEAL I USED. WHEN I CUT INTO IT, IT JUST COLLAPSED! SANK RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE. I THINK I EVEN HEARD A "WHOOSH" AS THE STEAM ESCAPED. I MUST HAVE LOOKED STRICKEN, BECAUSE MARTIN ASSURRED ME THAT IT LOOKED DELICIOUS. I SERVED THE DINNER, AND SAT DOWN. MARTIN TOOK A BITE, AND SMILED. (I SHOULD SAY HE GRIMACED). HE ACTUALLY ATE THE WHOLE THING SO AS NOT TO HURT MY FEELINGS. IT WAS THEN THAT I NOTICED THAT HIS PLATE HAD NO ROSES ON IT. WELL, JIMENY CRICKET, NO WONDER THAT SET OF CHINA WAS SO CHEAP. ONE OF THE PLATES WAS DEFECTIVE! IT WAS COMPLETLY WHITE. I WAS SO DISSAPOINTED, BUT THAT WAS OKAY, I HAD THREE OTHER PLATES THAT HAD THE LOVELY ROSES ON THEM. AS I WENT TO WASH THE DISHES, I NOTICED THAT AS I RUBBED THEM WITH A DISHCLOTH, THE ROSES BEGAN TO COME OFF. WELL, JIMENY CRICKET, WOULD YOU LOOK AT THAT? THE WHOLE SET OF CHINA HAD ONLY ROSE STICKERS ON IT! I SHOWED IT TO MARTIN WITH TEARS RUNNING DOWN MY FACE. I HEARD A SUSPICIOUS SNORT, AND SAW THAT MARTIN WAS TRYING NOT TO LAUGH. I SAID, "YOU THINK THIS IS FUNNY?" HE TOLD ME "YES, ACTUALLY IT IS HILARIOUS!" THOSE STUPID DISHES HAVE STICKERS ON THEM!" I SAID, "WELL, AT LEAST I CAN SAY THAT I MUST BE A GOOD COOK, YOU ATE THE FLOWERS OFF THE PLATE!" WE COLLAPSED IN LAUGHTER, AND DECIDED THAT WE WOULD USE THE DISHES AFTER WE PULLED THE STICKERS OFF. I KEPT ONE CUP TO REMIND ME OF THOSE DISHES AND I HAVE IT TODAY. WE WERE SO POOR, BUT WE DIDN'T REALIZE IT. EACH DAY, MARTIN WENT OFF TO WORK AFTER A BREAKFAST OF EGGS AND TOAST. I WAS SO PROUD THAT I COULD COOK EGGS, I MADE THEM EVERYDAY! POOR MARTIN DID NOT HAVE THE HEART TO TELL ME THAT HE WAS TIRED OF EGGS. HE WAS SUCH A GOOD HUSBAND. I PACKED HIS LUNCH AND OFF HE WENT. THEN, I HAD A WHOLE DAY STRETCHING BEFORE ME. WE HAD NO RADIO, NO TV, NOTHING TO KEEP ME BUSY. SO, I MADE FRIENDS WITH MY NEIGHBORS, WHO WERE ARMY WIVES AS WELL. OUR LITTLE GROUP LEARNED SO MUCH TOGETHER ABOUT HOMEMAKING, AND WE SHARED EVERYTHING BECAUSE ALL OF US WERE SO POOR. WE WOULD BUY ONE BOX OF RITZ CRACKERS, AND SHARE THE SLEEVES INSIDE. WE WOULD GET ONE ROAST AND CUT IT INTO FOUR PIECES- AND THEN EACH OF US WOULD CUT IT INTO SMALLER PORTIONS. OUT OF A ONE POUND PIECE OF MEAT, I WOULD MAKE STEW, SOUP, BEEF TIPS AND RICE AND EVEN A TINY ROAST. ONE CHICKEN WOULD BE USED FOUR TIMES, AND WE TOOK PRIDE IN OUR ABILITY TO STRETCH OUR GROCERY DOLLARS. IT WAS A HAPPY TIME FOR ME, AS I LEARNED TO BE A WIFE. I STILL HAD THE BABY ON THE WAY, I DIDN'T KNOW HOW ELSE I WAS GOING TO GET BABY CLOTHES, SO I MADE THEM. I EVEN LEARNED TO CROCHET. I WAS REALLY PROUD OF MYSELF. THEN, MARTIN WOULD COME HOME, AND I WAS WAITING HAPPILY FOR HIM. WE PLAYED CARDS AND WENT FOR WALKS. TIME PASSED QUICKLY-AND WE WERE HAPPY! LOVE, NANASEE

STILL CHASING THAT MAN

SUMMER PASSED AND THEN IT WAS FALL. MARTIN GRADUATED FROM BASIC TRAINING, AND WAS ASSIGNED TO ABERDEEN MARYLAND. I WAS STUCK IN LOUISVILLE BECAUSE HE HAD NO HOUSING FOR ME. HALLOWEEN CAME AND WENT AND THEN IT WAS VETERAN'S DAY. MARTIN HAD A 3 DAY WEEKEND AND CAME HOME TO SEE ME, BUT AS USUAL, THAT WAS NOT ENOUGH FOR ME. ABOUT TWO DAYS AFTER HE LEFT, I JUST UP AND DECIDED THAT I WAS GOING TO MARYLAND BECAUSE I MISSED HIM SO MUCH. LIKE I SAID BEFORE, I HAVE ALWAYS HAD MORE LUCK THAN SENSE, AND I JUST PACKED A BAG, WENT TO THE AIRPORT, AND BOUGHT A TICKET TO BALTIMORE MARYLAND. AS I WAS WAITING IN THE AIRPORT, THE LOUD SPEAKER ANNOUNCED THAT THERE WAS A CALL FOR JODIE SEE. WHAT? A CALL FOR ME? NO ONE KNEW I WAS LEAVING. I WENT TO THE PHONE, AND IT WAS MARTIN. HE WAS ALARMED THAT I WAS COMING TO HIM, HE HAD NO PLACE FOR ME, AND ANYWAY, WHAT THE JIMENY CRICKET HAD GOTTEN INTO ME? I ASKED HIM HOW HE KNEW I WAS AT THE AIRPORT, AND HE TOLD ME THAT HE GOT A VERY INTENSE FEELING TO CALL AND SEE HOW I WAS DOING. MY EMPLOYERS TOLD HIM I HAD JUST LEFT AND WAS PROBABLY AT THE AIRPORT. SO, HE CAUGHT ME BEFORE I LEFT, AND REALLY BLASTED ME FOR BEING SO IMPETUOUS. I TOLD HIM THAT I MISSED HIM AND WAS GOING TO BE WITH HIM NO MATTER WHAT. HE TOLD ME HE COULD NOT GET TO THE BALTIMORE AIRPORT, AND WAS WORRIED THAT I WOULD HAVE NO WHERE TO GO. I TOLD HIM THAT THAT WAS MY PROBLEM, AND I WOULD SEE HIM AS SOON AS I COULD. SOON, I WAS ON THE PLANE, AND IT HIT ME HARD JUST HOW FOOLISH I WAS TO GO SOMEWHERE WHERE I HAD NO HOME OR ANYTHING. I TOUCHED MY TUMMY AND TOLD MY LITTLE BABY THAT EVERYTHING WOULD BE ALRIGHT AND DECIDED THEN AND THERE THAT I WOULD BE OKAY. TO TELL THE TRUTH, I CRIED ALL THE WAY TO BALTIMORE, I WAS REALLY FRIGHTENED AND LONELY. WHEN THE PLANE LANDED, I TRIED TO STOP CRYING, BUT REALLY, I DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN I GOT OFF. I THOUGHT I WOULD TAKE A BUS TO ABDEREEN MARYLAND WHERE MARTIN WAS, AND MAYBE COULD GET AN ARMY ROOM FOR A NIGHT OR TWO. SO, THERE I WAS ON THE TARMAC OF A STRANGE AIRPORT AND IN A CITY I HAD NEVER BEEN TO AND HAD NO WHERE TO GO. AS I WAS WALKING INTO THE AIRPORT FROM THE PLANE, I HEARD A BANGING NOISE. I LOOKED UP, AND TO MY DELIGHT AND SURPRISE, I SAW MARTIN BANGING AND JUMPING UP AND DOWN, CALLING MY NAME. I COULN'T BELIEVE IT! HE WAS THERE! WHEN I GOT INTO THE AIRPORT, HE RAN AND EMBRACED ME, LAUGHING AND CRYING ALL AT ONCE. I WAS SO HAPPY, I COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT HE WOULD BE ABLE TO MEET ME. HE TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS ONE TIME HE WAS REALLY THINKING OF SPANKING MY HINEY FOR BEING SO STUPID. OF COURSE, HE DID NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO LEAVE THE BASE, BUT IT WAS AT NIGHT AND ONE OF HIS FRIENDS TOLD HIM IF THEY HURRIED THEY COULD MAKE THE HOUR TRIP TO BALTIMORE, PICK ME UP AND GET BACK BEFORE THEY WERE DISCOVERED. SO HE TOLD ME TO SNAP IT UP, AND WE HURRIED OUT OF THE AIRPORT, TO THE CAR AND RACED BACK TO THE BASE. HE SEEMED A BIT DOWN, AND I FINALLY ASKED HIM WHY. HE TOLD ME THAT HE WAS GOING TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK IF I DID NOT STOP SURPRISING HIM BY SHOWING UP WHERE I HAD NO PLACE TO LIVE. WHAT WAS HE GOING TO DO NOW? HOW WAS HE GOING TO PROVIDE FOR ME? WHY COULN'T I JUST ONCE WAIT AND LET HIM DO THE PLANNING? I FELT BAD THAT I HAD WORRIED HIM, BUT I TOLD HIM NOT TO WORRY, I WOULD THINK OF SOMETHING. SO, THE NEXT MORNING, HE HAD TO GO TO WORK AND I HAD TO STAY IN THE LITTLE ARMY HOTEL ROOM HE HAD BEEN ABLE TO GET FOR US. IT ONLY COST 2.00 A NIGHT, BUT THAT WAS A LOT OF MONEY FOR US BACK THEN. I KISSED HIM GOODBYE AND TOLD HIM NOT TO WORRY. AFTER HE LEFT, I BEGAN TO PRAY FOR A SOLUTION SO THAT WE COULD BE TOGETHER. AFTER A WHILE, THE THOUGHT CAME CLEARLY TO ME, THAT I SHOULD GO TO ARMY SERVICES AND SEE WHAT THEY COULD DO FOR ME. I HAD VERY LITTLE MONEY, AND DID NOT KNOW HOW I WOULD SECURE HOUSING OR ANYTHING. SO, I WENT TO ARMY SERVICES, AND THEY TOLD ME ABOUT CHEAP HOUSING, WHERE TO FIND IT JUST OFF BASE, AND SAID THEY WOULD LEND ME ANYTHING I NEEDED AS FAR AS HOUSEHOLD GOODS UNTIL I COULD GET MY OWN. I FOUND A LITTLE STUDIO APARTMENT FOR 40.00 A MONTH, BILLS INCLUDED AND BOY WAS IT TINY! BUT IT WAS MINE! I HAD DISHES FOR TWO, SHEETS AND A BLANKET, AND THE APARTMENT WAS FURNISHED WITH A FOLD OUT COUCH, A TABLE, TWO CHAIRS AND A COFFEE TABLE. IT ALSO HAD A RICKITY OLD REFRIGERATOR AND A TINY STOVE. I CALLED MARTIN'S WORK PLACE, TOLD HIM WHERE TO MEET ME AND UNPACKED MY SUITCASE (IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG), MADE UP THE FOLD OUT COUCH, SET THE LITTLE TABLE AND COOKED A BOX OF MACARONI AND CHEESE. BEFORE LONG, HE SHOWED UP AND KNOCKED ON THE DOOR. WE HAD NO CAR, AND SO WE HAD TO WALK THE COUPLE OF MILES FROM BASE. FUNNY, IT DIDN'T SEEM SUCH A LONG WAY, I GUESS BECAUSE WE WERE SO YOUNG. ANYWAY, IT WAS COLD OUTSIDE AND HIS EARS AND NOSE WERE GLOWING RED. WHEN I ANSWERED THE DOOR, HE LOOKED CONFUSED AND ASKED ME WHY I HAD ASKED HIM TO MEET ME THERE. I SNATCHED HIM INSIDE AND SAID, "WELCOME HOME! SEE, I TOLD YOU I WOULD FIGURE SOMETHING OUT! ISN'T IT THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE IN THE WORLD?" HE LOOKED AT THE PEELING PAINT, THE WORN LINOLEUM, THE TINY ROOM, AND THE VERY OLD AND OUTDATED BATHROOM. HE TURNED TO ME AND SAID, "YES MY LOVE, IT IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE IN THE WORLD. NOW, HOW DID YOU GET IT?" I TOLD HIM ABOUT ARMY SERVICES AND HE SHOOK HIS HEAD. "YOU HAVE MORE GUTS THAN SENSE- BUT I AM SO GLAD. I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN WHAT TO DO". SO, THAT NIGHT, WE SPENT OUR FIRST NIGHT IN OUR VERY OWN LITTLE HOME, ON A COUCH THAT ALMOST BROKE OUR BACKS, USING A BATHROOM THAT HOUSED A FEW ROACHES AND SNUGGLING UNDER ONE BLANKET THAT CERTAINLY DID NOT KEEP OUT THE COLD DUE TO THE LACK OF HEAT. WE DIDN'T CARE, WE WERE TOGETHER. MARTIN, ME AND OUR LITTLE BUN IN THE OVEN. LOVE, NANASEE

insight

TONIGHT, I WENT TO ELI'S BASEBALL GAME. I WAS TIRED TO START WITH, BUT I LOVE THAT BOY AND WANT HIM TO KNOW THAT I SUPPORT HIM. DURING THE GAME, ONE OF THE BOYS HIT A HOME RUN, AND A MAMA STARTED SCREAMING AND JUMPING UP AND DOWN. SUDDENLY, MY VISION CHANGED, AND FOR A MOMENT I SAW BOBBIE JO AS SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN, JUMPING UP AND DOWN AND CHEERING FOR HER SON. LET ME TELL YOU THAT GRIEF LADY SLAMMED INTO ME WITH ALL HER FORCE. I COULD NOT BREATH, AND BEGAN TO FEEL DIZZY. I TOLD MYSELF TO TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND CALM DOWN, AND WAS ABLE TO CALM TO SOME DEGREE, BUT THEN, I REALIZED I WAS CRYING SILENTLY. THE TEARS WERE STREAMING, AND I COVERED MY FACE AND MOUTH SO THAT NO ONE WOULD KNOW WHAT I WAS DOING. MY CHEST WAS POUNDING, AND I FELT LIKE I HAD A KNIFE IN MY STOMACH. I BECAME NAUSEOUS, AND THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE SICK RIGHT THERE. "GET A GRIP, GET A GRIP" I KEPT REPEATING TO MYSELF. THE VISION WAS LONG PAST, BUT ALL I COULD THINK WAS HOW MUCH I WOULD LIKE A DRINK, (AND I DON'T MEAN PEPSI EITHER). I BEGAN TO THINK THAT IT WOULD BE SO NICE TO LEAVE THIS WORLD AND NOT BE IN SUCH PAIN ANYMORE. BECKY TOLD ME SHE WOULD TAKE ME HOME, BUT THAT WAS NOT THE ANSWER. SO, I BEGAN TO PRAY. I ASKED HEAVENLY FATHER TO HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHY I WAS IN SUCH PAIN. OF COURSE I MISS MY GIRL, BUT WHY DO WE HURT SO BADLY? I THEN REALIZED THAT I COULD WAIT OUT THE EPISODE. JUST SIT THERE AND WAIT FOR IT TO PASS. THINK OF ALL THE BLESSINGS I HAVE, AND THE LITTLE ONES IN MY LIFE THAT MAKE IT SO SPECIAL. THINK OF THE LOVE THAT MARTIN AND I HAVE FOR EACH OTHER. THINK OF THE FUTURE, WITH GRANDCHILDREN, HOLIDAYS AND ESPECIALLY THE LOVE THAT OTHERS HAVE FOR ME. THINK OF THE AFFLUENCE I HAVE ACHIEVED IN LIFE, WITH THE BLESSING OF MY HEAVENLY FATHER. THINK ESPECIALLY THAT BOBBIE JO WOULD NOT WANT MY TO GRIEVE LIKE THAT FOR HER, BUT TO REMEMBER THE FUN WE HAD AT BASEBALL GAMES AND THE WONDERFUL MEMORIES. GRIEF LADY FADED AWAY. SHE TRIED TO COME BACK, BUT I WOULD NOT LET HER. I EVEN BEGAN TO SMILE AS I WATCHED THE LITTLE BOYS TRY SO HARD TO PLAY BALL. THE LITTLE FLOWER GREW A BIT TALLER. FINALLY THE GAME WAS OVER, (WE LOST), AND ROBBY ASKED IF I WANTED A RIDE HOME. YES, I DID WANT TO GO HOME, BUT NOT BECAUSE I WAS IN PAIN, BUT BECAUSE I COULD NOT WAIT TO GET TO MY BLOG AND TELL YOU ALL THAT THE PRAYERS WORKED, AND GRIEF LADY WAS BANISHED AT LEAST FOR NOW. SHE IS A SNEAKY OLD BROAD, BUT I WILL TRY TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR HER AND NOT LET HER SURPRISE ME LIKE THAT ANYMORE. LIFE IS TOO SWEET, TOO PRECIOUS AND TOO MUCH FUN TO LET SOMETHING LIKE GRIEF TO ROB ME OF EVEN ONE MOMENT. I AM THE RICHEST PERSON IN THE WORLD. IF I WERE TO TRY TO LIST MY BLESSINGS, I WOULD NEVER FINISH IN THIS EARTHLY LIFE. I AM SO THANKFUL FOR ALL MY FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES, THEY ARE THE GREATEST BLESSINGS. LOVE, NANASEE

A NIGHT OF ROMANCE

WELL, I FINALLY GOT OVER THE POISON IVY, AND ON THE WEEKENDS GOT TO GO AND SEE MARTIN. BUT, ONE WEEKEND, HE GOT TO COME AND SEE ME. WE PLANNED TO GO TO A TINY RESTAURANT, HAVE A ROMANTIC MEAL AND GO BACK TO MY ROOM. SO FAR SO GOOD. HE GOT OFF THE BUS, AND WE WENT STRAIGHT TO A LITTLE ITALIAN RESTAURANT. WE HAD PIZZA AND WINE. (WE WERE NOT MEMBERS OF THE MORMON CHURCH AT THAT TIME). THE TABLE WAS SMALL AND HAD A WINE BOTTLE WRAPPED IN HEMP WITH A CANDLE BURNING, AND WAX FLOWING IN RIVLETS DOWN THE SIDES. THE ROOM WAS DARK WITH LOW MUSIC PLAYING IN THE BACKGROUND. IT WAS SO WONDERFUL. FINALLY IT WAS TIME TO GO HOME. BECAUSE WE COULD ONLY SEE EACH OTHER ON THE WEEKENDS, AND BEFORE NOW IT WAS IN AN ARMY TENT WITH A SMALL COT AND ONE PILLOW, WELL, WE DID NOT HAVE MUCH OF AN OPPORTUNITY TO---WELL, YOU KNOW---AND SO, WE LOOKED FORWARD TO THE NIGHT WITH ANTICIPATION. WE ENTERED THE HOUSE, AND IT WAS QUIET BECAUSE THE FAMILY WAS AWAY FOR THE WEEKEND. UP THE STAIRS WE HURRIED,, HOLDING HANDS, AND NERVOUSLY GIGGLING. THE TIME HAD COME. THE BED WAS AN ANTIQUE FOUR POSTER, AND I MEAN REALLY ANTIQUE! THERE WAS NO AIR CONDITIONING IN THE HOUSE, AND IT WAS AUGUST. WE HAD A LITTLE FAN, BUT WE DID NOT NOTICE THE SUMMER NIGHT HEAT. WE ONLY HAD EYES FOR EACH OTHER. I WENT INTO THE BATHROOM, AND PUT ON A LOVELY NEGLIGEE THAT MARTIN HAD BOUGHT FOR ME. I PEEKED OUT OF THE BATHROOM, PERFUMED, AND READY TO GO. MARTIN WAS LYING ON THE BED WITH HIS PAJAMAS ON- AND I JUST SUDDENLY GOT THE URGE TO RUN AND JUMP ON HIM! SO, I RAN ACROSS THE ROOM, FILMY FABRIC FLYING OUT BEHIND ME AND JUMPED RIGHT ON TOP OF HIM. BEFORE I COULD SAY ANYTHING, WE HEARD A LITTLE CREAK, AND THEN THE WHOLE BED JUST COLLAPSED WITH A HUGE CRASH! THE FOUR POSTERS FELL IN ON US, ONE CRACKED MARTIN ON THE HEAD, AND THE REST OF THE BED WAS ON THE FLOOR. WE WERE SO SHOCKED, AND THEN, OF COURSE, WE STARTED LAUGHING, (RATHER I STARTED LAUGHING, MARTIN WAS STILL STUNNED FROM THE CRACK ON HIS HEAD). OF COURSE, THIS NEGATED ANY ROMANCE WE WERE EMMINENTLY GOING TO EXPERIENCE- SO WE JUST LAY THERE IN THE DESTRUCTION. BY NOW, THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT WAS BECOMING QUITE NOTICIBLE THE LITTLE FAN DID LITTLE TO ALIVIATE THE TEMPERATURE, SO WE DECIDED THAT WE WOULD GO DOWNSTAIRS TO GET A COLD DRINK. WE HAD TO GO THROUGH THE LIVING ROOM TO GET TO THE KITCHEN, AND BOY DID WE GET A SURPRISE! THE FLOOR WAS COVERED WITH SHEETROCK DUST AND PARTICLES AND THERE WAS A SQUARE PLACE OF MISSING SHEETROCK ON THE CEILING EXACTLY THE SIZE OF THE BED. NOW, WE ARE STARTING TO GET NERVOUS. WHAT WOULD THE FAMILY SAY TO THE DAMAGE? WOULD THEY THROW ME OUT? SHUCKS, EVERYTHING WAS GOING SO WELL, AND NOW THIS. WELL, NOTHING COULD BE DONE FOR IT, SO WE GOT OUR COLD DRINKS AND WENT BACK UPSTAIRS. I GUESS YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW THE REST OF THE NIGHT WENT, AFTER ALL WE WERE YOUNG, AND LONLY FOR EACH OTHER. SUFFICE IT TO SAY, WE DID NOT GET MUCH SLEEP. THE NEXT DAY THE FAMILY CAME HOME AND I SHOWED THE FATHER RIGHT AWAY WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO THE CELING, AND WITH A VERY RED FACE, EXPLAINED THAT THE BED HAD BROKEN. HE GRINNED AND ASKED IF WE HAD HELPED TO BREAK THE BED. MARTIN AND I JUST LOOKED AT EACH OTHER, WITH FLAMING FACES, AND THE FATHER JUST SHOUTED WITH LAUGHTER." I WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX THAT BED, BUT I FORGOT. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME IT HAS HAPPENED. IT IS, HOWEVER THE FIRST TIME THAT THE DOWNSTAIRS CEILING CAVED IN, SO I GUESS I DON'T HAVE TO ASK HOW IT HAPPENED." HE SAID. HIS WIFE SAID FOR HIM TO STOP TEASING US- SHE SAID I LOOKED LIKE I WAS GOING TO HAVE A STROKE. THEY DID NOT MIND, THEY THOUGHT IT WAS FUNNY. I'M GLAD THEY HAD A SENSE OF HUMOR, BECAUSE I WAS CERTAINLY WORRIED ABOUT THE SITUATION. THERE WAS A BONUS TO THE WEEKEND, A FEW WEEKS LATER, WHEN I GOT TO SEE MARTIN AGAIN, I HAD A LITTLE SURPRISE FOR HIM- JESSICA WAS ON THE WAY! MORE ABOUT THAT TOMORROW, LOVE, NANASEE