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I loved my grandmother. My grandparents lived in the house next door. I saw her every day, and often spent the night, sleeping with her in their double bed. Granddad liked to sleep on the adjoining back porch with all the windows open; a cross breeze blowing, summer and winter.

It was bedtime, and we always had something good to eat before saying my prayers and climbing in to that big, comfy bed..... I wanted donuts, demanded donuts, and remember crying because there were none, and throwing a fit like a spoiled eight year old. But I had to settle for Gramma's favorite: cottage cheese, with sugar and cream and nutmeg on it. I liked it because she did.

Next morning I climbed out on my side and walked round the end of the bed, looking for my Gramma...
I found her sleeping on the floor.....She was snoring...her hair long and loose from the bun she wore in the daytime..... I reached down and grabbed her toe.... I tried to tickle her....
I called her name.

I ran to the porch. "Granddad, I can't wake Gramma!"

Granddad kneeled down and smoothed her gown.... he went to the living room.
"Operator, get me Dr. Newman"...
"Dr. Newman, please come....Mildred's dying."

I never understood it, but I wasn't allowed back in the room. My brother, Billy came,,,,,he was sobbing.... he was allowed in to see her,....and still I could not go back in.
But, to this day, I can see her lying there..... And I was not afraid.

I wondered if it was because it was his birthday....yes, that was it!

Someone bought three baby chicks and brought them to us. One grey one, one red one, one white.
We named them Spinach, Carrot, and Cotton bottom. I never thought it strange. I was eight.

Christmas in Hawaii, 1958.

Money on an Ensign's salary was enough to feed and house us. But Christmas was coming....I was pregnant...so love was our gift to each other....
We had our tree; a real one. Our new dog, "Henry"had joined us,....Not yet housebroken, he chose the floor behind the tree to disguise that fact.

A huge box had arrived from Charlie's parents....so many gifts for just the two of us, all wrapped with sweet notes on each one. I looked at my husband. Tears ran down his face.

But what could I give to him? We had found baby furniture on base, brand new, half price. Just when we needed it, but all our money was spent on that furniture
.
My ring! I didn't need that ring....  It was an opal, my birthstone, but I never wore it. Surely, Bess Wright, the family friend who had left it to me would understand.

I had seen a watch that was just right for my Charlie. The jewelry store had a sign in the window: "Highest prices paid for your jewelry".

That's it! I can sell my ring and buy my love a watch.....
I climbed the stairs to Duane Fish Custom Jewelry. I showed my ring to him.

"This is a beautiful ring. ...Why are you selling it?  If I were to buy this ring, I would give you $75.00".
Seventy-five DOLLARS?  My heart jumped! I could buy the watch!

"But don't sell me your ring. Go home and have your Christmas with your husband.  You need to keep your ring and enjoy it. Christmas will come."

Disappointed, I went back to our sweet home.
The mailman came. A letter addressed to me....from my dad.
Merry Christmas! In it was a check..for $75.00!

I went back to the jewelers. There was the perfect watch. I bought it.
And I have never forgotten that kind man....I have the ring today, and I think of Duane Fish when I wear it!