The Superior Express -

Just before the first day of the month, I check my “Days To Remember” book and birthdays and wedding anniversary dates are written on our desk calendar. This book was purchased at the variety store in my hometown just before I was married. I faithfully recorded the events as they happened or had happened. Birthdays of family and friends, complete with the years the event took place. Today, this book is worn and frazzled. It’s lost its hard cover and some of the pages are loose. Now those pages are kept in place with paper clips. As the years have flown by, many of the entries honor people who are no longer with us. And then we have the divorces that occurred and so those entries are crossed out. I have thought of purchasing a new book, but as I flip through looking at the months and the entries, I decided even though changes have been noted, it still is great to remember those who are no longer with us and it brings loving thoughts of them. Such as what happened while writing down the dates on the July event and appointment calendar.

So many loved ones had birthdays in July. Of course there are a few who are still with us who will either be remembered with a greeting card through the snail mail, an e-card, or with a social media birthday wish. Then the loved ones who are no longer with us were once again thought of as I passed through the list such as my granddad, Claude Boyles, my father, Gerald Boyles, Grandmother Daisy Heskett, Uncle Bill Kiehl and Aunt Norma.

When I think of Granddad Claude, I see him in his Key overalls, wearing what we grandchildren called his “jungle hat” to protect him from the sun, a long sleeved cotton shirt even in the hot summer months. His laughter was contagious and his stories of serving in WW I in France were entertaining. He was such a storyteller and probably that is where my son, Greg, got that talent. He could tell all about the important weather signs and how the stationing of the moon can tell a person when to plant this or that. The most important memories about Grandad Claude was he was not afraid to share his love for Christ and the importance of attending church. He loved Granny and his family, farming and fishing. What surprised me the most about him and Granny was their interest in professional wrestling. They watched the wrestling programs on television every week. I remember them taking me to a professional wrestling match held in the Burr Oak gym.

Grandmother Daisy was a quiet and calm special woman. She probably had to be after having nine children. She seemed like a “super grandma.” She liked to raise vegetables and then she’d can them to enjoy the year around. I’d consult with her in making jellies, jams, breads and many other things. She was a quilter and sewed a lot. She’d keep her pedal sewing machine going. She saw to it that all her family had a Christmas present and they were things she had made. Visits to her home were often made. She would like to hear all the family happenings and would listen to what was said without interruption. I don’t remember her saying a bad thing about anyone. She enjoyed reading and watching television game shows. She was one of a kind.

My uncle and aunt were a special couple to me and others. Since my birthday was a day after Aunt Norma’s, she often told me when I was born she was 10 years old and so she thought I was her little dolly, her birthday gift. Every year we’d exchange birthday cards. It was a thrill to stay with Uncle Bill and Aunt Norma. My sister and I would be allowed to play dress up in her beautiful lace, net and satin prom dresses.

Uncle Bill taught me how to play pool on his pool table. They took me on a trip to Colorado one summer that made a lot of memories. I got to go with them to Salina as a preteen when they purchased a brand new Hudson car. They took me to the grand Fox Theater to see a movie. Aunt Norma warmed the room with her arrival and brought fun and laughter to all present. Uncle Bill always had his camera during family get-togethers and home movies were made and shown. Many family holiday celebrations were held at their farm house.

It was special to me that my father and I had July birthdays. Mine was first and his was a week later. Dad said I was born during wheat harvest. Dad was usually in South Dakota on his custom wheat harvest run when his birthday came, but my sisters and I would make sure to send him a card. I’ve already shared so many of my “dad” memories with others but he was special to his daughters.

Two of our granddaughters have July birthdays; a nephew and his wife celebrate an anniversary this month; a sister-in-law and two brother-in-laws have July birthdays. A couple who are close to me, Terry and Carol Garman, have a wedding anniversary this month, and a couple of dear friends also celebrate a birthday this month.