It was 1940. The end of April was approaching. The weather was cold and snow was in the forecast.
War clouds were hanging over Europe. Some a–hole name Hitler was trying to take over the world. People of the small town of Plymouth, Wisconsin knew that our country would eventually be drawn into war.
On one particular day, April 23, a young bride named Alice was very pregnant and temporarily living with her parents on Hein Street in Plymouth. Her husband was off chasing the dream of playing professional baseball in western Wisconsin. The Chicago Cubs had invited him to a tryout camp.
Alice’s parents lived a “short” block from the Plymouth hospital. In fact, the hospital was visible from the front window of their home. Contractions began in the afternoon of April 23 and delivery was eminent. Alice walked alone to the hospital, checked herself in and around 9:00 PM, her first child was born. It was a boy! I had arrived!
My mother had always wanted a little girl but I would have to do. I’m sure all the male figures of the family were happy. My Dad (Bucky), his Dad (Charles), his Dad’s Dad (Elmer) were estatic. They named me after my grandfathers. Charles from my Dad’s family and Ervin from my Mother’s family.
All I know is that I had very young parents. My mom was barely 18 and my Dad was approaching 20. They had dreams.
My earliest memories were of living at the City Club. I had two sets of parents. My Mother and Dad. Secondly, Myrna and Chalk (Charles) who owned the City Club. When my Dad was drafted into the war in 1944, Myrna and Chalk became more family than my own Mother and siblings.
Fast forward 73 years. There have been many twists and turns but I wouldn’t change a thing. There are lots of thoughts of what “might have been” if certain events had turned out differently but as my Mother always said “things always happen for a reason”.
So Happy Birthday to me. It is again cold in April and there are snow showers forecast. It has been a “fun ride”.
Love,
Dad