My Mom's Birth

We always loved hearing about my moms birth and the little miracle that grew up to be our mom.
Mom, Edith Bingham Howell was born on March 20, 1921. She was the 7th of 15 children, her twin sister Edna Bingham Smith was number 8. The twins weighed only about 2 pounds each and were born at home. They were not taken to a hospital but kept at home. Their beds were shoe boxes placed on the back of a warm stove. They were so small that they couldn't nurse so they were fed what was called "sugar tits". Grandma and Grandpa would take his handkerchiefs and put sugar in the middle and then tie them up really tight and dip them in lukewarm tea. They would suck on these for nourishment. No wonder my mom liked sweets and tea. Both ladies lived into their eighties. Amazing what God had planned with these two!

The day I was born my mom was craving chocolate pie so my grandma made two. My mom said she ate one and a half of the pies, not pieces, but pies. No wonder I like chocolate ;-)

Memorial Day

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. 
Although I truly appreciate all who have served our country in the military today is reserved in my eyes for those who died while serving. 
My moms brother Jimmy  was one such young man. Jimmy Dillard Bingham was the 12th child born to Nora and Sam Bingham in 1928, and died in Seoul, South Korea August 21, 1950. He was 22 years young. He was a machine gunner in the 2nd Infantry Division. He left behind a young wife and no children. His brothers Jesse (#11) and Sterling (#13) also were in Korea at the same time. Jesse was in a prisoner of war camp for 27 1/2 months and Sterling in the Air Force was able to escort his brothers body home.
Thank  you Uncle Jimmy!! Although I never knew you my mom and her brothers and sisters fondly remembered and loved you.


Thanks also to the following:
Tillman Howell (my dad) WW2
Olan Davidson (my father in law) WW2
Jerry Howell (my brother) Vietnam
Ernest Bingham (uncle) WW2
Jesse Bingham (uncle) Korea
Jimmie Bingham (uncle) Korea
Sterling Bingham (uncle) Korea
Sonny Christopher ( brother in law) Vietnam
Douglas Egbert (nephew in law)
Bryan Lougue (nephew in law)
and all my other relatives and friends and who have served.

The Beginning

Attending my Aunt Lenora's funeral this past week brought back many memories. Aunt Lenora was my mama's older sister. She was 92 and the 6th of 15 children. We enjoyed visiting with family and sharing memories of not only Aunt Lenora but other family members as well. I begin thinking-Isn't it finally time to start writing down all those memories?
As Don and I were traveling down to the valley we were visiting in the car with the kids. I didn't travel with my mom (child number 7) to visit her family when she would get a chance to visit. But I remember her bringing back wonderful things. On one trip she brought back huge lemons. They were as big as oranges and grapefruits. My family wasn't sure whether to believe me or not. I begin to question my memory. So thought I'd go to the source. As the story went the large lemons came from Aunt Edna's (she was number 8) back yard. Aunt Edna passed away in 2002 but my cousin Ricky said "oh yes". They are called Ponderosa Lemons and they had a tree in the back yard in town and one out on the farm. So I did remember the lemons correctly and would love to have one today to slice up and put in a glass of ice cold water.
There are a lot more memories of mine and my mommy's to come!