Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to DECEMBER . Hope you have an awesome and grateful month!

Sunday, November 8, 2009

A Revisit to Where it All Began


George and I took his mother and father back to southern Indiana in October of 2006 --to re-visit the small town of Winslow, which is Mom's hometown. Mom grew up in the area and graduated from high school there. Dad Adams was in Winslow working in a CCC camp, with a group of young men who were building a new park in that area. Mom and her good friend, Virginia, met their future husbands when the young men came to Winslow to work. You can only imagine how the people in town felt about their home-town girls dating those 'outsiders.' Oh My!!!!!


Nevertheless, Mom and Dad did fall in love---and Dad would walk miles and miles just to see her. When we were in Winslow and Arthur (nearby town), they showed us how far the walk was from his workplace and/or camp to Mom's house. That was true love I'm sure!!!!


Mom's father and mother had ONE rule. She couldn't get married until she was 20... SO, on May 2, 1940, she turned 20 and they were married on May 5, 1940. We visited the church Mom and her family attended and where she and Dad got married. The church is the Winslow Christian Church --and the sign out front was dedicated in memory of Mom's parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Cassiday.


This next May, these two wonderful people will have been married for 70 years. Dad Adams is 97 and Mom is 89. They are such an inspiration to me. Here are some pictures from our visit to Winslow, Indiana in 2006 plus a couple of extra pictures. Above is a picture taken the week of Dad's 95th birthday --in 2007. I wanted to include it so that you can see Mom's gorgeous smile. Below are more!!!







This is the home in Winslow, Indiana, where Mom lived when she and Dad got married.







The sign in front of the church is in memory of Mom's parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Cassiday. Mom and her family were very active in the Winslow Christian Church.







Winslow Christian Church was built in 1923 and is in immaculate condition, inside and out.





Mom played the piano in this church many years ago. She played for us again on this day. Dad joined in as we sang "The Church in the Wildwood".









George even remembered the layout of this church--since he visited here as a young child. There were some gorgeous stained-glass windows in this sanctuary.









Dad and Mom got married in this church on May 5, 1940. These two lovebirds are as much in love today as they were in 1940.




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Since there are no wedding pictures, I'll close with this portrait of Mom and Dad Adams and their firstborn, George, who was born on March 9, 1942. This picture was taken about 1943 when the family lived in Crown Point, Indiana. Isn't my Georgie a cutie pie????


Taking Mom and Dad back to Winslow and being there to relive their wedding was just awesome. When I married George, I found the most wonderful family one could ever have!!!


Hugs,

46 comments:

imac said...

Another great post with fab piccies Betsy.

They are still in love, (its in their eyes).

Wonderful photos and George is such a Cutie(shh dont tell him I said that.lol)

Dorothy said...

What a wonderful post, Betsy! It's so good that you have all those pictures, especially the one with them back in the church where they were married. I does my heart good when I see an elderly couple that are still in love like that!!! Yes, your George was a cutie pie, and I don't care if you tell him I said so! Have a blessed Sunday!

Anonymous said...

lovely post. i love the way you capture memories

Valerie said...

I agree with your other readers, what a beautiful post. So inspiring! One of the things I miss most about not having my parents, or my husbands parents around anymore are the stories they used to tell us. I now live in the same town my dad lived in right before he left for the war (WWII) and after he returned. I remember the stories he told of walking up the main road to catch the bus to take it to the university. Now everyday I drive that road to pick my Tall One up from school, I think of my dad walking the same path!

I know I don't have to tell you, to treasure the memories! Have a great Sunday!

Cherry said...

oh wow! George is such a cutie indeed! wonderful memories to share...

Darla said...

Sweet stuff here!

Judy said...

I know you have to love them very much. They are such an awesome couple. What a great visit you all had back to where it all began. I really enjoyed your post.

Sunny said...

How wonderful to have such a long and happy life together.
Very cute family picture.
Sunny :)

Jayne said...

What a sweet, sweet story Betsy, and what an adorable photo of them with baby George. The love just shines through. :c)

Peggy said...

What a beautiful happy couple! What a blessing to have them for inlaws. I know there is lots of love shared between them and you. Have a blessed day!

MadSnapper said...

great story, and congrats on the 70 years. the last photo is priceless, and so clear and sharp for an old photo. thanks for sharing, brought back a few memories of my parents.

I Am Woody said...

What an inspiration they are! And what a fantastic trip - I'm sure they had the time of their lives!

Tabor said...

That such a loving relationship lasts so long and so well is an inspiration to those of us who are a little more normal. They look so happy.

Deb Murphree/Alabama Politics said...

Betsy, what a lovely tribute to two people who have meant so much in your lives...both yours and George's. I loved the picture of his mom playing at the organ...I have a video of my mother playing at the piano in church, and it has meant so much to me, since she passed away in 2005, and I can still go back and watch her play the piano. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful memories of George's family. He and you are both so truly blessed. Your father in law walking miles to see the love of his life, was truly inspiring.

Bill S. said...

Fantastic post. We all need to research our heritage and find out where we came from. I loved it.
Thanks.

mint said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sally said...

What super in-laws you have, Betsy!

Rose said...

What a wonderful post! Yes, George was a cutie. Just to think, his mom and dad have been married longer we have been alive. Longer than my dad lived!

Snap said...

Lovely post, Betsy. You and George -- his Mom and Dad -- YeeeHaaawww!

Small City Scenes said...

Howonderful you found such a beautiful family to belong to.
Awesome pictures.
What a beautiful and certaintly in love couple. It shows even now. 70years---wow.
Thanks for letting us visit. MB

NCmountainwoman said...

Wonderful post, Betsy. So wonderful that you could take them back for so many happy memories.

T said...

Another beautiful tribute Betsy!

Karin said...

What a blessing! This post is wonderful - a great tribute to this dear couple! They are beautiful! I love the way you capture all those treasured memories and have wonderful pictures as well. You're an inspiration to me - but I'm just so slow in getting things done. I've got so many old photos I want to scan and not enough time........sigh........

Rita said...

Betsy What a beautiful story!! George's parents are truly blessed to have had each other for so long. And you are both blessed to still have them too.
Rita

Diane said...

That would have been a sweet trip. I love the portrait, too, look at her dimples! The Church in the Wildwood is such a great song to sing and what a sweet memory.

Busy Bee Suz said...

Yes, you married into a wonderful family...but I think they feel the same way about YOU. They truly are an inspiration...I wish for them many more years of happiness and health together!
Did the church misspell Mom's parents last name??

Connie said...

Such a nice post, Betsy! I enjoyed the photos and hearing about your in laws. Yes, I definitely think you found a wonderful family when you married George.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: Wonderful history and great photos of the folks, town and little George.

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Sush a heartwarming post Betsy !
George's mum and dad looked so happy, and were/are truly in love with one another. Such a rarity these days to find couples who actually stick it out.
Thanks for sharing your post, I just watched a documentary about the men in CCC camps, I wasn't even aware such things existed !
Your right....your George was a looker ;)

Loran said...

What a wonderful couple and yes, George was very cute. He still is!

Cheryl said...

What a sweet post. How wonderful that the Adams have been married so many years, a rarity today! What a wonderful trip you all took back in time! And of course your George is a cutie pie! You are too!

The Retired One said...

Married 70 years?????
OMG!!!
I have been married 37, going on 38. Wow, I can't imagine.
Good for them!

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Every time you make a post about George's parents,I can just feel the love you have for them.They sound like very special people,of course their son and daughter-in-law are also very special.Have a great day.
Blessings,Ruth

Janie said...

I love hearing about Mom and Dad Adams. They're such an inspiration.
I love the photo of George. He sure was cute -- and still is!

Meems said...

You know what they say... when you marry ... you marry the whole family. You found a prize in George, Betsy! (And he found a prize in you, too.) What a wonderful story and MOM doesn't look 89 at all! She is amazing!
A beautiful couple then and now.
hugs,
Meems @ Hoe and Shovel

Simply Debbie said...

SUCH A HEART WARMING STORY bETSY. tHAT BROUGHT TEARS OF jOY FOR A BEAUTIFUL COUPLE WHO HAD LOVE AND RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER FOR OVER 70 YEARS,
THEY SHOULD WRITE A BOOK FOR THIS YOUNGER GENERATION WHO WANT NO COMMITTMENTS JUST LIVE TO GETHER UNTIL THINGS BECOME UNCOMFORTABLE AND GO THEIR WAY. MARRIAGE IS GIVE AND TAKE AND IT TAKES WORK.
THANK YOU SO MUCH BESTY FOR SHARING THIS BEAUTIFUL STORY....YOUR MOM AND DAD/GEORGE'S MOM AND DAD ARE THE ONES I LOVE TO TALK TO FOREVER. WHAT A HERITAGE
ANGEL HUGS
DEBBIE

Tes said...

Oh wow, what a beautiful story, so inspiring! It is so nice of you guys to accompany your mom and dad back to Winslow. It's such a blessing to have wonderful in-laws!

The first photo is gorgeous it shows that they are very much in love.

George is such a cutie!

*hugs*

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

What a wonderful love story! They have lived a beautiful long life and I wish them many more blessings ahead. mY daughter-in-law was an Adams but her family was from Illinois.
George resembles his Dad!

SquirrelQueen said...

What a lovely post Betsy, a wonderful tribute to two very special people. You can see the love between them, it shows in their eyes and smiles.

Hugs,
Judy
PS, your George was definitely a cutie pie in that photo.

diane b said...

What a lovely story it bought tears to my eyes. They are such a lovely old couple and how well they are preserved. A lovely picture story Betsy.

Kelly said...

Ohhhh...what a wonderful, wonderful post. George's mom reminds me so much of my Grandma Rose. They look so happy together...

EG CameraGirl said...

70 years? Hmmm. I wonder if this marriage is gonna work. Gotta watch out for those out-of-town guys!

George was a cutie, all right!

Mary said...

Well, I wish that you had reason to come back up to Winslow since that isn't very far from me. What a nice tribute to George's parents and look at the church.

Anonymous said...

This is an excellent post and the pictures are full of memories.

Judith said...

Wow.... George looks like both his parents. Great love story!

Judith

Cookie said...

Wow! Married for 70 years is amazing! And how neat is that to have your sign at the church?!