It all started on a cold March morning in 1961, when Mom went into labor before Dad got home. Mom called the "nurse lady" who lived down the dirt road from us. She was suppose to rush Mom to the hospital, but instead backed off the culvert into the ditch at our driveway. There was nothing to do but bring the baby into the world right there in my parents' bedroom. But for a 6 year old girl, who had been told that the mother has to go to the hospital to get the baby, I have to say, I was a little confused when I heard a baby cry after all the commotion to get Mom to the hospital so she wouldn't miss the baby when it came. Of course when I yelled, "I hear a baby crying" Sinie, the lady who helped Mother keep up with all of us and the house work, quickly told me I did not. During the 50's and early 60's one never used the word pregnant nor was allowed to notice the changes going on with Mother's body. I remember an episode of I Love Lucy where she stuck a pillow under her shirt and I said,"She's not going to have a baby. That is just a trick." Boy did Mother jump on me. What did I mean by that? I was really suppose to watch through Mom's 3 pregnancies and not notice what happens.
Anyway, I was quickly rushed out the door to catch the bus before I could actually confirm that the baby had somehow made it into the house.
Yes, my parents, and particularly Dad, were very excited to have a real boy. I had been Dad's stand in boy up until then, meaning that I was his hunting and fishing buddy. But now I was suppose to clean house and learn to sew and cook.
The 3 girls loved having a baby brother. He was actually a much kinder and gentler child than we were. Meaning we were some tough girls. We were all bestowed with nicknames, but Frank was given the most. Here is a list of the ones I can remember: Frankie, Frank Honey, Buzzy and Beanie Boy. I can't explain Buzzy. Beanie Boy was a cartoon character and Frank had a hat with a spinner thing on top like a helicopter just like the cartoon.
Anyway, though one would have thought the family was now complete, 2 more daughters were soon to come.
Happy Birthday, Frankie. The Big 50.
