Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Patience is a virtue . . .


 "Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap
but by the seeds you plant."

- John Ciardi


Remember last week when I sat on the front porch all day, well I also read a little . . .

from a red, leather bound,

gold edged,

"year by year" book.

The inside cover reads . . . 

Miss Elsie Calvin
A Condensed comparative record
for five years, for recording
events most worthy of
remembrance

She hand wrote the date, June 12, 1928

Elsie was my grandmother.
She mostly wrote about a boy named Don, my grandfather (Poppy)

This five year diary is about their love story. I don't know exactly when they started dating, but on June 14, 1928 she wrote, "Today is graduation! Practiced all morning, got my watch came home got ready. I was so excited. Met Don afterward and we went to town to get something to eat then came home. Hazel, Claudia, Katie and Bernita were here all night. Don gave me a darling bracelet then he kissed me before my eyes. It was wonderful, first time since I began going with him! I'll never forget!!

{Kim Klassen Sybil}

This is a photo of my grandmother but it's not dated so I'm not sure how old she is here.

{Nancy's organic paper}

I feel so fortunate to be able to have some insight to her everyday life. I found out things like, she went to college and was not so happy about dissecting animals in her zoology class. That nearly every single Sunday without fail they had a date and that she really enjoyed making dresses for those dates. I can only wonder if in the photo of her, if she made that one? He told her that she looked pretty keen in all of her dresses and she wished she had a job so she could make more.

{Kim Klassen the veil and Edith}


 She sure was smitten with him, and knew for sure she didn't want anyone else. on September 19, 1932 she wrote, "Went for dinner to celebrate our anniversary. I thoroughly enjoyed it too. Gee five years is a long time to go with a fellow but somehow it doesn't seem that long and I haven't regretted a time that I have been with him. It would be as nice if he would only tell me that he loves me and that he wanted me to wait for him but he won't do that. He said he had to have something to offer me first but his love would be enough until he could offer the other. I can understand how he feels about it tho' but I do want him to tell me he loves me so badly. I love him and think I always will because I think 5 years is long enough for anyone to tell whether or not they love another person. He wants me to go out with other fellows for a while and be sure. I guess I'll have to do that before I'll convince him that he will always be the only one with me. I'd marry him tomorrow if he asked me & I wouldn't hesitate a minute. I just know that someday we will get married and I truly think that we can make a go of it. Seems like lately that is all I can think of, getting married and having a home, cooking and keeping house for Don and maybe having a little boy like Don to take care of. I know it will be quite a while before that happens but that doesn't keep me from planning and looking forward to it. He said that if I wanted to go on like this knowing he couldn't offer anything more that just himself for a while ....but if not I should say so, but I'd rather go on like we are now for year + year then to give him up. We both have quite a bit of each other now and guess we should be satisfied but oh, it is so hard sometimes.


 I can't believe after five years he hadn't told her that he loved her, clearly he did. What's up with that Poppy? I do remember them talking about dating for about ten years before they finally got married. His father died, leaving him head of the family and then with the depression his family moved into their garage and rented their house to get through it. So he didn't propose until he could support the both of them. 

I chose the quote I did because my grandmother was so very patient with this young man that she loved with all of her heart. She knew what was important and what she wanted and didn't judge her life by a harvest that couldn't be offered to her, but with patience watched those seeds grow into a bounty.

They were married for just over 40 years, and the seeds that they planted continue to produce a harvest today in love, and respect and in kindness and faith through their examples of the way they lived their lives.
A history that through this diary I can pass on to my children . . . 

I miss you both so much . . . 

Love, Kim
XO



38 comments:

Deanna said...

Oh what a sweet & touching post. You are so blessed to have that diary from your grandmother. My Mother destroyed all of her diaries and there are days I so wish I had them. Beautiful photos that illustrate this lovely post. FYI...I had an aunt named Elsie.

Honey from the Bee said...

Oh I love this post so much! You are so blessed to have the diary and photos. I can only imagine how wonderful it is to sit there and read their love story.

Beautiful photos, of course, but love the story too. What a very cool movie this would make... ; )

Kim Cunningham said...

Kim, thank you so much for sharing this personal and sweet story with us. The thing that comes to mind here is honor. In this world where there isn't much honor in dating relationships, this is a prime example of a real man. He protected her heart as much as was possible, for I know her heart was already vested. Yet he was careful with words, and with touch. He was careful to give her freedom if she wanted more. I respect his waiting until he had something to offer her. Oh my heart swells!

Unknown said...

This is such a true love story. I enjoyed reading every word my friend.

And Those photos are so beautiful.

Wishing you a Happy Tuesday..

Hugs~

Barbara said...

All of these are so sweet, I have several photos of my Mom that remind me of yours. Love them as much as you do. There is something so special about these photos. Lovely beautiful images Kim

abrianna said...

Beautiful photos to go along with a wonderful story.

Dotti said...

Kim, this is such a beautiful story and you're so fortunate to have this history at your fingertips. A real treasure!

Snap said...

Beautiful post. You are so lucky to have your grandmother's journal. Gorgeous shots of lovely memories.

Unknown said...

Wonderful, nice memories!

leanne can blog said...

that is really beautiful! You are so fortunate to have that journal- what a wonderful insight.

kathyinozarks said...

I really enjoyed your post too-thanks so much for sharing with us-I loved the photos too with the journal

Viv@Thoughts from the Desktop said...

So great to have a lovely memoir and that you can pass it on one day to the next generation...

Anonymous said...

This is so lovely in so many ways, Kim. Both visually and in the words. Loved it!

kelly said...

well i don't know which i love more - the beautiful photos or sweet love story. what a treasure! and you celebrated it so perfectly. thank you for sharing it!

4 Lettre Words said...

Wow, Kim...so, so amazing! I'm not sure which I love more, your beautiful images or beautiful words.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful and timeless memento of your grandparents. She really did love him to wait that long!

Beverly said...

This is so amazing to read Kim! Such a lovely treasure to have her handwritten journal, and her personal thoughts...your photos are just stunning and make the story come to life with her photo and the gentle textured tones. Excellent work on this post!

Tamar SB said...

Could you hear my "oh my goodness this is SO precious" all the way up here in Boston! So so special and sweet!

Nancy said...

This is so sweet Kim -- what a treasure. Your photos are lovely.

Unknown said...

Oh my. I love this so. I love their story. 5 years does seem like an awfully long time. I am glad that you have these words of hers to learn about her life. That is fantastic. I am so glad you shared this today. I am sorry you miss them.

Linda said...

Your photos go really well with your story! What a neat thing to have! I would love to have a journal from my mom or grandmother! I enjoyed this!

Cathy H. said...

A precious love story! I love the gorgeous photos of her journal.

EarlK said...

Wonderful. You are so lucky to have her diary.

Earl

Sharon said...

What a treasure to have this diary! Your photos are precious treasures, too. I wish I knew much more about my grandparents. You are really blessed!

Kmcblackburn said...

What an amazing and precious gift you have here!!!!!

Inspired By June said...

Sweet story, Kim. And lovely images to match! I have my Nana's diary of the year she and my grandfather were married. Priceless.

Jeanne said...

What a wonderful post this is Kim, and how amazing that you have this treasure. How much you can learn from this about your own heritage. Loved hearing this story!

Jade @ Tasting Grace said...

What a treasure to have this piece of family history! They sound like such special people. I love the photos too--such a wonderful romantic, vintage feel to capture the mood of your post!

Nicki said...

What an incredible post Kim. Such a beautiful tribute to both your grandparents and what a story. You did a terrific job with the illustrations to accompany your grandmother's words and a perfect quote to drive the message home.

Just wonderful!

Sherri B. said...

What a beautiful love story...one of patience and endurance. How lucky you are to have this written record of your grandmother's thoughts as a young woman. And your photos are lovely, too...thank you for sharing, Kim!

Becs said...

Such a lovely post - both words and images. How lovely to have your grandmother's journal to cherish. Beautiful and so touching.

Ida said...

What a fabulous piece of your family history to have. It was a pleasure hearing about your Grandma and seeing your lovely photos.

Anonymous said...

lot of memories inside that little book and opening it up to share is so delightful -- I love hearing about personal histories - their story are wonderful.. You are blessed greatly!!
Hugs

Unknown said...

Kim, What a treasure. How amazing to have something so personal of your Grandmothers to cherish. Thank you for sharing a piece of a beautiful history with us.
xo

Unknown said...

Kim, What a treasure. How amazing to have something so personal of your Grandmothers to cherish. Thank you for sharing a piece of a beautiful history with us.
xo

Patty said...

You are so fortunate to have the diary. What a treasure. Very sweet story.

tiarastantrums said...

that is an amazing story to carry around in your heart!

amanda said...

These are gorgeous photos.
I also love, love, love old photos and family history.. I could spend days going through boxes of documents, letters, postcards, and photos from my grandma. (and often do.)
Wonderful that you shared!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...