by Jane Swagerty Hill
This letter was written in 1991 for Clem and Effie’s 50th wedding anniversary by their niece Jane Swagerty.
Dear Uncle Clem and Aunt Effie
Congratulations on your 50th wedding anniversary. You obviously have many shared memories of your life together. I know one of my father’s wishes was to reach 50 years with my mother. You both must be happy to have reached such a milestone!
You both are a big part of my childhood growing up. Our home movies have shown that quite a bit. I would like to share some of those memories with you:
– I remember when we used to visit you in San Rafael. We’d go on hikes up in the foothills and I remember walking through clouds for the first time,. It was so exciting to actually go through a cloud. We also had to have a walking stick before we could go on the hikes.
– I remember sleeping in the room with the cots lined up. All of us cousins would laugh at each other and listen to “Wyatt Earp Makes Me Burp”.
– I remember your dog, Mike, with the pipe in his mouth and the San Quentin hat he wore. The home movies bring back that memory more vividly.
– I remember that whenever our families got together, all of us kids would go on an adventure with you, Uncle Clem, and you always had funny names for things. Our family alway calls the dough-like remains from Mom’s pies “Dolly Differs”.
– Thanksgivings and Father’s Day were always in my memories as “family get-togethers”. Sometimes as a child I wasn’t too thrilled in going, but once I was there, I certainly was happy that I went.
– One Thanksgiving at Grandpa and Grandma’s dairy farm, Grant fell into a ditch of manure and ruined his clothes. He ended up wearing Linda’s clothes home! He didn’t like wearing “girls’ clothes”.
– I remember Aunt Effie always in the kitchen with an apron on with Grandma hurriedly putting the Thanksgiving dinner together. You were in the kitchen a lot.
– A more recent memory is of you, Uncle Clem, with my dad. You were in his garage and you were helping him put in the back red light on the rear window of the car. He was rather weak then and it was really touching to see you both together laughing. I miss my father more than you’ll ever know and by having these links, it helps me get through the tough times.
As you can see I’ve mentioned a few of my memories I’ve had growing up. I’m sure there are many more and if I sit here for a while longer I’m sure I’ll recall some more. Anyway, it’s great to have had such a happy childhood and I’m so happy to have you included in them.
Happy Anniversary again,
Jane
Swagerty-Aldrich Family Web Site 