Baird, Texas, 1945
"Rene, J E, Rena, Dad, John, Mildred,
Gary & Carol, Jan 1945 Baird, TX
after we lost Mom."
(on back of card)
A bundle of shingles lies to the side of the upground tank. Dad intended to build on a room for Rena. At Baird, dad had fruit trees and raised peanuts. His son (Elbert Jr.) had a horse at Baird that he would often ride down to get the mail. (recalled by Elbert Dean, Jr.)
"That year (1944) dad and we lost our mother and his dad as well within a few months. They had moved to Baird, Texas, so he was alone and I am sure so very lonely. My mother died at the age of 53. Her mother and dad both were still living. Dunie (Elbert Jr.) and Rena, my baby sis, were all that seemed to be on my mind. Rena soon moved to Merkel to live with Pauline, and it was even worse for my brother (Elbert Jr.) as well as my dad (Elbert Sr.). Sad times. And then was when I learned that child and parent many times in life must exchange roles. Now it was time for us younger ones to step forward and help care for the parents. My heart went out to my brother, for he was trying to attend school, and it wasn't a happy time for any of us. Margaret had moved to Wynemucca, Nevada. So we all began to see the sometimes end-of-life sad days because of circumstances, and very little we could do anything about. We were so happy to learn that my brother, Dunie, had married Jan. What rejoicing I felt inside. Now I see how God took care of my brother as well. Therein lies 2 generations of both sadness and happiness for which we are all grateful. I feel God has been in it all. We are all stronger for all of life's ups and downs. Adversity makes us stronger." (recollection by Maureen Dean Jaynes)
Baird, Texas, 1945 (late 1944)
Elbert Jr., Elbert Sr., Rena
