As some of you may recall, Motor Man’s mother passed away in February, and in the following months, family members sorted through her belongings before her house was sold. This week, Motor Man and I were looking through some boxes that we were given and found a treasure: his baby book.
Neither one of us remembers ever seeing it before, nor his Mom mentioning it. Just seeing that vintage book with the sweet illustrations was special, but then, I spotted this page. Under First Visitors: “Father – 1/2/45 – surprise arrived from Camp Hood, Texas at 10:30 a.m.”
Pop had been drafted and was in boot camp in Texas in the months before Motor Man was born. Then, en route overseas to serve our country during World War II, Pop came home on a brief furlough. (We’d always heard that he was actually AWOL. Now whether that was another visit, or if Motor Man’s mom was keeping things legit with the entry {below}, we don’t know.…)
With communications so limited during that era, Pop didn’t know that his son had just been born the afternoon before he arrived home.
Motor Man’s mom told us many times that she insisted on being released from the hospital the day after his birth, which was unheard of at that time. But being the stubborn persistent woman that she was, the doctor relented. She and her newborn went home that very day, so her husband could have as much time as possible with his little family before going overseas.
I’ve always thought this was an amazing photo, but after seeing the baby book, it’s even more meaningful to us.
This was another entry in the book: “Jan. 2, ’45 day after arrival, your daddy came home on furlough for 7 days before leaving for overseas”.
It would be nearly eighteen months before Pop would be reunited with his wife and son, as evidenced by this entry: “Recognized father – returned from overseas May 16, 1946”.
It’s impossible for my generation to grasp living in that era: this was an eighteen year old girl, married for less than two years, her young husband overseas fighting in a war, with a great likelihood that he would never return home….and she has a brand new baby. Reading her written words in this book just emphasized all those facts that I already knew.
Thankfully, Pop did return home, and, in the following years, the two of them added three daughters to the family. They celebrated their 73rd anniversary a few months prior to Pop’s passing in 2013.
“The Greatest Generation”: indeed.
~These Days Of Mine~
these days of mine 
What a truly sentimental find! A treasure in Motor Man’s Mom’s own handwriting. ♥
This is indeed a treasure. His mom was certainly a strong woman. And what wonderful penmanship. I still have my baby book with mom’s perfect writing.
What a wonderful family treasure to find. My Mom didn’t do baby books for any of us – I suspect because we were moving constantly with Dad’s assignments, she simply didn’t have time. It’s sweet though that she even kept record of things JR “recognized”…..
Pam
What a blessed treasure to find. You’re right in that we really don’t have a clue as to the thoughts, fears, and hopes of that time. So glad that you have his book.
Oh, Dianna! How beautifully moving was this story! I can only imagine what was running through Moror Man’s mind. I have always loved those sweet baby books and the graphics. Mine is a treasure to me. You have made me want to read mine again! Sacrifices for our country were a part of life, but almost 2 years raising child alone. Imagine. Great telling!
What a wonderful find!
This is so special
Always good hearing this tale .. & this newfound keepsake means even more because of it !
Wow! That is quite a story. It brings alive the hardships of war from a young wife’s perspective.
Marvelous!!! Wonderful entries and beautiful handwriting.
This is so touching. Also heartwarming to read how it ended.
Oh my, what a treasure you have. My heart beats heavy just reading the pages you shared, What a beautiful story it turned out to be. ❤
Wow, this was so beautiful and must be so meaningful to your Motor Man. Tears welled up immediately. So glad for their happy ending, as you said it must have been awfully frightening for her as such a young wife & mother.
Hugs
MJ
What a sweet find!