Given the chance a lot of people are able to show that they can do far more than expected. My mom applied to medical school back in 1961. The Dean told her in her interview that she had three strikes against her. She was a woman, she was married, and she had a child (that was me). Lots of people told her no. She just worked that much harder. When she graduated in 1965 that Dean was trying to convince her to get a PhD, and join the faculty. She wanted to practice medicine. It's what she always wanted to do. She retired for her third time at 84, to take care of my dad. They just celebrated their 69th anniversary.
Congratulations to your mother! There is little doubt in my mind that she has made a huge impact on thousands of lives throughout her medical career. Congratulations, also, to she and your father on 69 years of marriage!
Cool story L.B.- we only had 1 wuman in my marsupial husbandry class up at AU- like dis kid, she was da only one Dat could milk a dang possum! Den "Doc" from Dothan come er long! She shrunk 12 brains in 4 minites!
Auburn, back when it was the Loveliest Village. Wonder if you and the 'possum milkin' lady were there Summer of '69. My teaching assistantship had run out and I was making $4/hr with a research asst. job at the old Poultry Science Unit. It included plucking chickens and putting their bodily parts into plastic bags. Big motivation to finish that thesis! WDE, Pubert. (Years later, my UC Davis grad student and I MILKED RATS, lightly anesthetizing them with ether and using tiny pipettes to obtain a few mls per mama rat...while not sedating ourselves!)
My Swedish grandfather at the age of 14 had a single ticket for the Titanic’s maiden voyage but his parents both told him not to travel on an “untested” ship so he came alone to America as a Swedish immigrant on the RMS Baltic. Upon his arrival he was corralled thru Ellis Island and then proceeded on to Chicago by train and worked in the furrier business. He often talked about his new great country. He remembered seeing Lady Liberty & said it was huge.
My Mom and Dad were age 4 and 14 when the Titanic sank in 1912. For them, it was a current event in history. They told stories to my brothers and me, and I told those stories to my son, who is an expert on many Titanic facts.
Today, my Dad would be 126 years old, and my Mom 116. I am 73, and I miss them everyday.
The words for the song “America” (My Country ‘Tis of Thee) were written by Samuel Francis Smith in 1831, but the melody is much older and has been used for songs in many countries (it is also the same melody as God Save the Queen).
It was first sung in public 193 years ago on July 4, 1831, at a children's concert at the Park Street Church, Boston, and published in 1832. Happy Independence Day everyone! May God Bless and protect us and our freedoms!
Grew up in Dormont (South Hills) and about 4 years ago moved to McCandless (North Hills) I remember going to Dunning McNair’s in Regent Square! And the theater there. How’s life in Birmingham?
But I used to eat at Dunning's maybe 2-3 times/week. But burgers in town--if you got them rare to medium rare. The chicken salad was also great: a layer of steak fries covered by a pound of lettuce covered in turn by a large hunk of freshly grilled chicken. All preceded by some fried mozzarella sticks. With dijon mustard. One of our nurses' daughter also worked there for a while. Nice memories. I lived a two block walk from there--on Milton Street.
I really missed Dunning's when I moved in '93. And alas, it hasn't been there for at least 15-20 years that I know of. I don't recall what took its place, but it certainly wasn't the same old place.
Why does every story you write give rise to tears? and this one was no exception. My grandparents came into that harbor and went through Ellis Island. I found my grandmother's name on the roster sheets there. She was 17, came from Ostrobothnia which is the West Coast of Finland, to join family members in the Bronx. She met my grandfather (who had come from a town near hers in Finland) at the Finish Brotherhood Hall. My grandfather helped build the docks (pile drivers) which make up the New York City harbor. A Union man. I have sailed out of New York City past Lady Liberty and back in a year later on a transatlantic ship, not a cruise ship, a real mode of transportation back in the 1950s. Happy Fourth of July.
The Statue of Liberty was shipped over here to the US as a gift of friendship from the people of France, in 350 pieces, packed in 214 crates. Each piece weighed anywhere from 150 lb to 4 tons.
Given the chance a lot of people are able to show that they can do far more than expected. My mom applied to medical school back in 1961. The Dean told her in her interview that she had three strikes against her. She was a woman, she was married, and she had a child (that was me). Lots of people told her no. She just worked that much harder. When she graduated in 1965 that Dean was trying to convince her to get a PhD, and join the faculty. She wanted to practice medicine. It's what she always wanted to do. She retired for her third time at 84, to take care of my dad. They just celebrated their 69th anniversary.
Your mom definitely knew the meaning of three very important words- dedication determination, and devotion nothing to her career & her family.
I think your mom (& your dad) need to be given a big hug along with an I Love You!
Congratulations to your mother! There is little doubt in my mind that she has made a huge impact on thousands of lives throughout her medical career. Congratulations, also, to she and your father on 69 years of marriage!
Cool story L.B.- we only had 1 wuman in my marsupial husbandry class up at AU- like dis kid, she was da only one Dat could milk a dang possum! Den "Doc" from Dothan come er long! She shrunk 12 brains in 4 minites!
Pubert
Auburn, back when it was the Loveliest Village. Wonder if you and the 'possum milkin' lady were there Summer of '69. My teaching assistantship had run out and I was making $4/hr with a research asst. job at the old Poultry Science Unit. It included plucking chickens and putting their bodily parts into plastic bags. Big motivation to finish that thesis! WDE, Pubert. (Years later, my UC Davis grad student and I MILKED RATS, lightly anesthetizing them with ether and using tiny pipettes to obtain a few mls per mama rat...while not sedating ourselves!)
You know Doc Mobley?
Wow. Special people. ❤️
Special people, Lander, your parents.
My Swedish grandfather at the age of 14 had a single ticket for the Titanic’s maiden voyage but his parents both told him not to travel on an “untested” ship so he came alone to America as a Swedish immigrant on the RMS Baltic. Upon his arrival he was corralled thru Ellis Island and then proceeded on to Chicago by train and worked in the furrier business. He often talked about his new great country. He remembered seeing Lady Liberty & said it was huge.
He died at the age of 97.
I miss you Grampa.
Jan, so glad to hear your grandpa was not on the ill-fated Titanic.
My Mom and Dad were age 4 and 14 when the Titanic sank in 1912. For them, it was a current event in history. They told stories to my brothers and me, and I told those stories to my son, who is an expert on many Titanic facts.
Today, my Dad would be 126 years old, and my Mom 116. I am 73, and I miss them everyday.
Your great grandparents saved his life!
And eventually came Jan…Tacka Gud for det🙏
Beautiful story! Thanks for the history lesson, Sean. Happy Fourth of July, everyone! Let freedom ring and our democracy prevail! 🇺🇸
Fabulous history lesson…made me proud. Happy 4th everyone…God Bless America…
The words for the song “America” (My Country ‘Tis of Thee) were written by Samuel Francis Smith in 1831, but the melody is much older and has been used for songs in many countries (it is also the same melody as God Save the Queen).
It was first sung in public 193 years ago on July 4, 1831, at a children's concert at the Park Street Church, Boston, and published in 1832. Happy Independence Day everyone! May God Bless and protect us and our freedoms!
My country, 'tis of Thee,
Sweet Land of Liberty
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims' pride,
From every mountain side
Let Freedom ring.
My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills,
Like that above.
Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees
Sweet freedom's song;
Let mortal tongues awake;
Let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.
Our fathers' God to Thee,
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing.
Long may our land be bright,
With freedom's holy light,
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God our King.
Such an inspirational story!
Thankful for the immigrants who did so much to build our country!🇺🇲
To quote a line from “Hamilton”:
Immigrants, we get the job done.
Great story for Independence Day.
They may have started out as immigrants, but they finished as Americans...
Like the story about the skinny little guy who wanted a job cutting down big trees. Foreman looks at him and tells him that he can't have the job.
Why not?
Work's too hard, especially for a little guy like you. We're looking for big men ho can cut down a lot of trees.
But I have experience--a lot of experience doing hard work.
OK, convince me. Where have you worked?
In the Sahara Forest.
You mean the Sahara Desert.
Well, sure--now.
😂😂
Where in the Burgh? I spent most of my time there in Regent Square. The Swissvale part of it. And now live in the sister city of Birmingham.
Grew up in Dormont (South Hills) and about 4 years ago moved to McCandless (North Hills) I remember going to Dunning McNair’s in Regent Square! And the theater there. How’s life in Birmingham?
Hot and humid.
But I used to eat at Dunning's maybe 2-3 times/week. But burgers in town--if you got them rare to medium rare. The chicken salad was also great: a layer of steak fries covered by a pound of lettuce covered in turn by a large hunk of freshly grilled chicken. All preceded by some fried mozzarella sticks. With dijon mustard. One of our nurses' daughter also worked there for a while. Nice memories. I lived a two block walk from there--on Milton Street.
I really missed Dunning's when I moved in '93. And alas, it hasn't been there for at least 15-20 years that I know of. I don't recall what took its place, but it certainly wasn't the same old place.
Why does every story you write give rise to tears? and this one was no exception. My grandparents came into that harbor and went through Ellis Island. I found my grandmother's name on the roster sheets there. She was 17, came from Ostrobothnia which is the West Coast of Finland, to join family members in the Bronx. She met my grandfather (who had come from a town near hers in Finland) at the Finish Brotherhood Hall. My grandfather helped build the docks (pile drivers) which make up the New York City harbor. A Union man. I have sailed out of New York City past Lady Liberty and back in a year later on a transatlantic ship, not a cruise ship, a real mode of transportation back in the 1950s. Happy Fourth of July.
I think the West coast of Finland is settled by Swedes.
The Statue of Liberty was shipped over here to the US as a gift of friendship from the people of France, in 350 pieces, packed in 214 crates. Each piece weighed anywhere from 150 lb to 4 tons.
Bub had his work cut out for him.
Praying that God gives mercy, grace, and peace to America in 2024. God bless you and Jamie!
What a story you have shared my dear friend thank you and happy 4th of July to all and God bless 🙏
You really stuck the landing on that one. Thanks for the smile.
Awesome per usual!!! Love it!!! Happy Independence Day!!! 💕