These past two weeks have seen the passing of two men in our family.  One 96 and one 94, both honorable, productive, giving, honest men who loved their wives without fail.  Family men who as young men served in World War II, both in the US Navy, the former skippering supply ships in the South Pacific, the latter as a tail gunner.

It’s hard to imagine what life was like 90 years ago:  few families had cars, dirt roads, one room school house.  Likely, they helped chop firewood for the schoolhouse potbellied stove each morning,  shot rabbits or squirrels for supper on the way home from school, milked cows (by hand), slept with warm rocks at their feet in bed in winter.  Only 2% of rural homes had electricity or running water.

Annual income in 1918 was $1518 with the average family spending 38.2% on food, 16.6% on clothing, and 23.3% for housing (this includes fuel, light, and furniture).

Neither one would have known nearly 100 years ago, that when laid in their mother’s arms, they would never experience more forgiveness, understanding, and love at that moment that is humanly possible.  And mom’s heart was bursting with happiness with a beautiful baby boy.  What wonders would their lives behold?!