Is It Really Any Wonder?
Documenting sewing projects of the past with sewn-on labels
I will have a 69th birthday at the end of this month. Recently as I was working with some of my Mom’s keepsakes and labeling them for family. It took me back to what it must have been like for my parents, Raymond and Lena Wendlandt, struggling on a rented farm acreage with their growing family and five of their own siblings that were across the seas fighting in World War II. I can so clearly remember the farm home with no electricity and bedtime came when Mom and Dad felt that there had been enough Kerosene used in the lantern that sat upon the kitchen table. One lamp that was used to see us to our beds and then be returned to the kitchen table for Mom and Dad to ponder the day they had had and what would be for the tomorrow. I don’t ever remember wanting for anything as we didn’t know what the world had to offer other than the day-to-day, tell-take signs that times were tough. My Dad only had one brother, Pete, who was in the Army. Pete had gone into the war with damage from a broken ankle, unable to serve on the front lines. He was assigned in the medic ward, working with the ally as well as the enemy-injured troops. With him being fluent in German, he also became an interpreter. My parents, grand parents, aunts and uncles were all fluent in German, as our forefather came from Poland to the great America. On my mom’s side of those that served, Uncle Melvin worked in telecommunications on the lines. By the grace of God all the boys came home without life threatening injury.
So that was then and you might ask “What does this have to do with me turning 69?” My childhood was all about making do with what we had and taking care of what we had as we might not have any way of replacing our material goods if we were less than careful. It was a way of life, and like anyone that in time has the world open up to them, I was in awe of a huge world when I went to town school upon completing the eighth grade in Renville County Rural District 34. After becoming a bit more adventuresome, I tagged along with some classmates to downtown Hutchinson during our noon hour. I can still see the drug store that was on Main Street that held a soda fountain. It was there where I experienced my very first butterscotch ice cream sundae. Was it worth the price of my quarter-a-week allowance stash? Oh, yes. In my growing years, as well as my adult years, I have stepped back from the conservative lifestyle I was brought up in — much like anyone who sees the grass as if it is greener on the other side of the fence. All I could do on those occasions is take responsibility for my own actions and really take a hard look if those splurges were all that great.
I really don’t advocate the saying “The Golden Years.” I prefer “Life Unfiltered.” As I stated earlier about working with keepsakes of days of old, I know with all that is within me that I am still the child that was reared during the days of World War II. I detest material waste in life. I am disappointed in the lack of creativity when I see people my age seek and search activity to invest in for their days remaining on this earth. I have so many thoughts of projects yet to be that I would like to have my family happen upon when they work through my keepsakes one day. I thank my Lord every night for the day I have had and the one He may allow me in the morrow. As I pray, I name each child of His — young and old — in my family so that He may put His hand on that person’s shoulder and give them guidance. My days are full; my days are happy; and my days are spent in thought, word and deed with my family.
In life, please remember to give and have no remembrance of it, or take and remember it always.