I was 12 years old in 1953 and Carolyn, my younger sister, and I had been living with our Great Aunt Nettie and Uncle Jess for several years. That summer I was staying with their Daughter Alta and her Husband Brantly and Daughter Rosanna in Farmington, NM where Brantly worked on a pipeline. I'll never forget the phone call from Mama announcing that she had gotten married and had a baby! I was in shock! Apparently, our communication lines were not well established!
She said now that she was married we all needed to live together as a family in her husband's, now my new Step Dad's, two bedroom house! Three teenagers in one bedroom and Mama, Laster and Norma in a crib in the other.
Regardless of the tight squeeze we managed to make it work, Eddy and I were the least happy and since we couldn't do anything about it, we took our frustrations out on each other. Carolyn and Norma were happy to observe the flying fur! Of course our parents tried to get in the middle but it didn't help.
But, Laster was the best thing that ever happened to our family! He was kind, patient, encouraging and firm but gentle in his discipline. It was apparent he adored Norma and she adored him.
At 17 Eddie joined the Air Force which was the best thing that ever happened to him. He went on to become a very successful computer programer.
I had to stay behind until HS graduation in 1959. I got married in 1960. I was a seamstress all during school so I made my wedding dress and Carolyn and Norma's dresses.
We moved around a lot and didn't go back to Artesia vey often. We did write letters and I was so proud to learn how musically talented Norma was becoming under the direction of Mrs. Stout. She made sure all her students learned to appreciate Opera and that she was confident to perform in front of an audience. Norma and had a beautiful contralto voice.
We were living in Ft Sill when Mama called to say Laster was very sick and probably would die. I'm grateful that Mama told me in time so that I could see him, talk to him and tell him how much I appreciated him and loved him. He died much too young at 53 of lung cancer. I miss him still! I can't imagine how difficult it must have been for Norma to lose here beloved Daddy.
After Norma graduated from ENMU she came to Oklahoma City to live for a while. She worked at Mollie's House of Disrepute on South Meridian. All the waiters and waitresses were singers or actors most likely in school at OCU where many of them performed in the summer Theater. Norma dressed the part of Brunhilda, a character in the opera by Wagner, 'The Valkyrie'. She did a wonderful job singing her version of Brunhilda while she asked for orders then delivered them. She also worked as a seamstress in the costume department of the theater.
She would come over now and then and my two children and I enjoyed her joking and laughing. Greg remembers her singing the Beatles song, 'Let It Be' often. Matrice remembers that she liked to play bingo. She had a great sense of humor, telling jokes and laughing a lot, but she was direct in her opinion. One had to stop and think whether they wanted to debate her or not.
Later, when she said she wanted me and Carolyn to be in her wedding, I made mine and Carolyn's dresses. Greg drove me to Albuquerque, NM where we saw the whole family and finally met the handsome guy she had snagged! She said the fact that he really like her salsa is what made him sure he wanted to keep eating hers for the rest of his life! Awe! How romantic! Mexican food was her favorite kind of meal and restaurant.
In December, 1983 Norma called to say that Mama had died. I told her I would have to wait till Monday to call the Travel Agent to get a reservation. A few minutes later she called back and said she had reserved a flight for me the next day! She was a take charge person wether you asked her or not! I went to Artesia for Mama's service and stayed with Norma. She served me cantaloupe with strawberries and yogurt for breakfast. I had never eaten cantaloupe served like that! I thought she was very gourmet! I think of Norma every time I eat cantaloupe with strawberries and yogurt.
A few years later we visited Norma and Tim in Seattle where they had decided to make their home as music teachers. I have no doubt they inspired many young students to appreciate music just as Mrs. Stout had inspired her!
We stayed with them in their two story house with the tiniest, most narrow staircase to the 2nd floor I've ever ascended! It was a cute little house with lots of plants and herbs in the garden and very unique to Norma and her love of cooking. We traveled across the bay on a ferry to the Tillicum Indian village where we enjoyed Salmon the Tillicum way. It was a fun time and we enjoyed getting better acquainted with Tim. Laster did a fantastic job of demonstrating the kind of husband Norma should have. Tim is more handsome, but just as kind, patient and loving as Laster was.
After a few years in Seattle, Norma and Tim decided to move to Louisville , KY where Tim had several relatives he wanted to be closer to. They stopped in Oklahoma City and stayed with us in our Condo which was really an upstairs flat. I wish I could remember if we did anything particularly fun while they were there.
One year she took it upon herself to arrange a reunion between my Paternal Aunt Hazel, who I didn't remember, and Eddy and Carolyn in Antlers, OK. She thought it would be a good idea for me to see Antlers again. We were all born there but I had never gone back as Eddy and Carolyn had. I was very reluctant because I had never driven that distance by myself. Norma kept encouraging me and I made the drive and was glad I did. We stayed with my Aunt and had a good time reminiscing. She encouraged me to call my Dad who lived in CA. I had not seen him since I was 4 yrs old. Eddy and Carolyn, on the other hand, had visited him more than once. Norma orchestrated the reunion which was very pleasant but another reunion with my Dad came from that taking charge that Norma was so good at.
We kept in touch for several years through letters and phone calls. In 2021 I flew to Louisville to see Norma and Tim and their cats. She cautioned me to keep the light on and watch out for the cats because they liked to sleep outside the door of the room where I was to sleep. I was careful and the cats were smart enough to move out of my way. They were quite entertaining as they jumped from the top of one piece of furniture to the other then to the drapes which was a no, no.
I had such a good time talking and laughing and catching up on a lot of years. She loved her books and convinced me to bring one home, a mystery about Archeologists. She took me to her basement sewing, hobby, dialysis, all purpose room. It was amazing how many bolts of quilting fabric she had lining her shelves. Scads of quilting books and magazines. She offered me some fabric and now I wish I had taken some. I'm so fortunate to have a quilt she made for me. She would sit and crochet potholders while watching TV or chatting. Why she didn't lose count of the stitches I don't know.
She offered me some yarn and instructions on how to make the pot holder she was making. I didn't finish it there but I brought it home to finish but two years later, I still haven't finished it. It kept getting smaller and smaller. I must have lost count of the stitches somewhere!
Norma was generous and wanted to give me several things. I came home with several pot holders and a large crocheted bag. I had so many pot holders I shared 3 or 4 of them with close friends. They told me those pot holders were the best pot holders they had ever owned.
I flew back the following year and we did more laughing and joking and visiting with Tim's cousins and and his sister, Marie. She was such a character; laughing and commenting on things, talking about everything. It was fun to listen to her.
I still can't wrap my brain around the fact that she's gone and I'll never see her or hear her laugh or get a phone call from her again. I recently thought to myself I need to call Norma. I heard the Beatle's song 'Let It Be' on the car radio today. I used her pot holder yesterday. I need to find that book she gave me and read it. I hope I still have it.
There will always be things around me to remind me of her. I wish Eddy and Carolyn were able to write their memories! I'm sure there's would be much more interesting because they saw her more often.
I will miss you forever, Norma!
With all my love,
Marie
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