Looking forward to the Next 50!

In approximately 3 weeks, 50 years of marriage will be celebrated! How can it be that the time has gone by so quickly? We were just 17 and 18. Two teenagers in love! I have often wondered why our marriage has lasted this long. God must of been pleased ( after He stopped smiling :), to be gracious to us and reveal His mercy to us at just the right time. There is no other explanation to the question. Before I knew Him as my Savior, I remember the pastor that married us quoting scripture, saying the blessing over us. "What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder." I did not know the love of God or His power to work in my life. I believed the scripture and if anyone objected to our marriage I intended to use Him as my defense! After all, I had eloped, was underage for legal marriage and wasn't as smart as I thought I was but was pretty sure that God approved of marriage. Now, 50 years down the road of life, with 4 children, and 7 grandchildren I can most assuredly testify of the Lord's blessing on our union. He is just that kind of Heavenly Father! Forgiving, loving, full of mercy and truth, they are only a few of His attributes we've experienced. Our great God made the world, the universe and everything in it to glorify Him. Marriage was His idea as He brought the woman to the man, to multiply and fill the earth. As He has explained in the scripture marriage is a picture of our relationship to Christ. He is the bridegroom and the church is the bride. She is holy and pure because of His sacrifice. I hope our marriage brings Him glory as we celebrate His goodness to us and praise Him. I'm so happy to be the wife of my beloved husband and also part of the bride of Christ.

The Measure of A Man

Looking back over nearly 50 years of marriage, I can confidently speak to the quality of the character of the man I married at age 17. To realize at such a young age what constituted the fidelity and love that this man has given me all these years was not in my thinking at that time. For one so young to have to grow up so quickly took a mighty strong character. This man had exhibited maturity beyond his years during the time we were both growing up. He held his first child at the age of 19. She quickly won his heart and they were bonded as father and daughter. The more the responsibilities increased the harder he worked to provide for his growing family. I do not recall a time when he bemoaned his lost youth and the freedoms so many of his peers had as young adults. He took responsibility for his decisions and as his father commented on our elopement many years ago, "you've made your bed, now sleep in it". Sounds a little harsh, but that's exactly what he did. As the years and decades passed 3 other children were born and raised by a hard working Dad who loved and provided for each one. Before the 4th child was born, a wonderful thing happened to this already wonderful man. He was introduced to Christ as his Lord and Savior. From that point forward his life began to take on a new focus. To know God and to live a life that was God centered. The Bible became the source of instruction on becoming a man after God's own heart. God has been true to His word to complete what He has started in a person's life. As the measure of integrity in his heart began to grow so did an amazing transformation. Integrity that was there all along began to mature and exhibit qualities of what God desired in a husband and father. God is not slow about his promises. Even though spiritual growth seems to take forever God does accomplish His purposes in our lives over time. The youthful energy has now slowed somewhat but the desire to serve God has increased. This man will leave a legacy to his children and grandchildren of stability, faith, consistency, hard work and a servant's heart. He has been most faithful to me and will always be the love of my life and my friend.

THE MEASURE OF A MAN

I am going to meander away from my previous blog thoughts for a while.
Lately I've been pondering thoughts of, "What is the Measure of A Man?" My father was the first man in my life and from him I measured my impressions of what a man should be. As the first of four children and being the only girl I believed I was special to my Dad. He was a good father and provider. He was an honorable and brave soldier during WWII. As it has been recounted to me, he adored me as a baby and would walk with me in his arms around the house and sing, "I'm Going to Buy a Paper Doll". Although this early relationship with my Dad cannot be consciously recalled I know that those moments are ingrained in my soul. So, through his voice and touch I began to know my Daddy. When he went away to fight in the war I was almost three years old. I must of wondered where he went.
By the time I was 2 1/2 I had a new brother competing for attention. Then three years later another brother arrived on the scene and then eight years after that another brother was born. By this time I was a teenager and loved being able to take care and help my mother with a newborn. Dad stayed busy earning a living and providing for his family. He was faithful to take us to church on Sunday morning where I received a knowledge that there was a God whose Son was Jesus. These were my first impressions of what a man was supposed to be.
What was it that caused me to relate to this man called 'my father'? The estimation of his love for me determined his worth in my eyes. Many conclude that the measure of a man's worth is found in his achievements in the business world, or perhaps it is the wealth he has gained and the power he has over others and then again many judge him by his outward beauty, his physique or personality. But for me, my Dad was security and protection. He provided a safe haven for me to grow up and he introduced me to church and the concept that there was a God.

Father's Day 1961!

On Saturday morning, June 17th, as I got out of bed my water broke! This was the due date for the baby. Little did I realize that it would be 18 hours after I arrived at the hospital before our daughter would be born! Kellee Anne Brackett arrived at 1:21 PM Sunday afternoon. It was Fathers Day and everything was normal and we had a beautiful baby girl weighing in at 6lbs 14oz. and 20 3/4 inches long. She was born at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, MD. My doctor was Dr. Daniel Ehrlich a fine Jewish obstetrician. It was a long birthing process and I had little knowledge on how birthing worked, so when the final hour approached I was given a "saddle block" and the doctor helped her out with forceps. About 6 hrs. before she arrived the Dr. had told Jim to go on home, it was going to be a while. So, being dutiful and tired he went home and got some sleep. Things starting progressing back at the hospital and the Dr. called Jim and told him to come on over but to take his time. He stopped at Dairy Queen, got a milkshake and probably talked to Chuck who owned DQ before he headed on over to the hospital. When he got there our daughter had already arrived like 1 hour ago! I remember laying in the hall wondering where he was. How I wanted to share our precious gift together. Finally, we got to do that! Kellee was beautiful with a head full of dark hair, perfectly formed with 10 fingers and 10 toes. Four days later we got to bring her home. How joyous and proud I felt to hold, dress and care for my very own child. Jim's Dad met us at the curb and asked to carry his grandchild into the house. So, baby Brackett met her Grandaddy for the first time!

My Memories

I've been writing about my memories of life from a teen perspective in the 1950's through the 1960's. As you well know times and people have changed but there is something that never changes. That is our search for significance. Probably from reading my posts you've been able to discern my search for understanding and meaning in life. I hope to be able to explain how my journey through life was affected through my own choices and God's divine plan for me. God makes the statement in Romans 8:28 that He causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. I can say Amen to that scripture! Even when I thought I was in control of my life, I had a Heavenly Father who was permitting me to go my way; allowing me the freedom to make decisions that would lead me to a point in time when He could speak directly to me. Sometimes, some of us have to go through a lot of heartache in order for us to admit we need help. I have a big Pride problem that disguises itself as self righteousness and self sufficiency. I hope to be able to record this lifetime journey accurately that my children and grandchildren will know where I have come from and hopefully avoid the hidden pitfalls I fell into but also embrace the grace that God has given me. to be continued

First Year Continues

Sunday, August 30, 2009

First Year Continued

Starting back to school to finish my senior year was definitely different than any of my previous high school years. After all, I was the only married student in the whole school! Initially, I reported to the office to let them know my new married status. I was now a Brackett and wanted everyone to know. I had my schedule and started classes on time. During these first few weeks of married life we lived with my parents. Jim would get up and go off to work while I got ready for school. My heart was not really in to finishing out my senior year, sadly to say. When I found out for sure that I was going to have a baby I made the decision to drop out. This was sometime in November of 1960. I remember going around to all of my teachers and letting them know of my decision. Mr. Byrd was my bookkeeping teacher and he did not want me to leave. He said that he would help me finish and get my diploma. Stubborn girl that I was I wouldn't listen and said no to his offer. I did not realize how significant his offer to help was. All I wanted was to be free of studying and getting up each day for school. Looking back, I can see that the early effects of pregnancy were probably taking a toll on me. I was tired and my body was changing, though at the time I was still thin and you couldn't tell by looking at me that I was pregnant. I'm sure that my parents experienced a lot of disappointment in that decision! Sometime during the Fall of 1960, Jim and I moved out of my parents home and into our first apartment. It was not long after leaving school that I got a job at Hutzler's Dept. store in Baltimore city. I didn't mind working like I did going to school. I had to take a bus into the city in order to get to Hutzlers. Some days I worked 5 - 6 hrs and Jim would come into town and meet me for dinner. I remember wearing my first maternity clothes in the month of December. I really wanted everyone who saw me to know that I was going to be a mother! During that season of my life, I was young, in love and and excited about life. I can remember that during most of my growing up years I had a fascination for babies and loved babysitting infants. I was very adept in caring for young children. I had a lot of experience with my youngest brother Greg. I was 13 when he was born and he was my special delight! Our first Christmas was wonderful and we bought gifts for everyone on both sides. The first tree was a pine, very few ornaments but lovely. The early part of the new year seemed to creep along as I was counting the days and weeks till the baby was due. The old saying, "a watched pot never boils" is exactly what it was like to wait for my baby to arrive. But as surely as the sun comes up each day, the months passed and before I knew it was June. My memories of the start of June 1961 were bittersweet. I was remembering that all my friends were graduating from high school, going to prom and all the other special occasions that graduation brings with it. I felt sad but also happy at the same time. My decision to marry and drop out of school was one I had made and many times over the years have had to learn hard lessons and to live with those choices. Three baby showers were given by friends and family and that went a long way toward chasing any blues away and brought the enjoyment of the love and best wishes from so many. We had all the essentials for welcoming our new baby. The waiting was almost over! to be continued

Our First Year

Thought this was a good day to continue the teenage saga! Today is the day after my 49th anniversary! So, hopefully my perspective has matured as many years have gone by and given me the benefit of experience.
The early years of the 1960's were filled with having three children in rather quick order, being a new wife and then a mother and learning how to do all the things that come with responsibility. My Dad was initially furious about my elopement but gradually became one of my biggest supporters! Early on he suggested we purchase a family type car (which we did!) and he also encouraged Jim to apply for a job at Westinghouse Electric (Air Arm Division). Jim passed all the tests and was soon hired in a full time position as a wireman. The salary was twice what he was making when we married a month earlier. Three weeks after getting married I found out I was going to have our first child the following June. Jim's Mom rented out her apartment to us that first year for $40.00 a month. We set up a weekly budget. We were so immature yet in so many ways we did some things right! Our budget included rent, food, no utilities because Jim's Mom paid that, gasoline, car payment, entertainment and saving for our new baby. Jim's health insurance didn't cover that because he hadn't been there that long when we found out I was expecting. We bought some living room furniture on time. Mom B. bought us a new frig, my parents a new TV and my great aunt a kitchen set. We used my bedroom furniture. My mother and father must of had great pity on us. They gave us a wedding reception in September of 1960 with a beautiful cake. Friends and family came and we received lots of presents to help us get started! We do have a few pictures of this occasion. Here is one of us cutting the cake! to be continued