August 1, 1995
My parents and big brother lived in a small town – Nauvoo, Illinois, but the nearest hospital was across the Mississippi River in Keokuk, Iowa. The Mississippi River also runs along St. Louis, Missouri where I lived from age six months until I was married. Too bad that the mighty Mississippi didn’t move, as I did, to Southern California. We could have used the water here!
At my birth, my Dad wondered about a name for his baby daughter. I could have been named Wilhelmina after my grandmother Krueger. Saved from that fate by my mother Ruth who named me after herself. My mother decided Ruth Eileen or Elaine would be just fine. My brother when asked how he liked his new little sister, shouted, “Send her back!”
I’ve celebrated many years in many ways, with husband, family, and friends. My thought for today: wouldn’t it have been fun if all these years I had saved my birthday cards. What a wonderful stack of remembrances I’d have.
Now, yet another birthday has arrived, along with August heat. Oh, yes, I think I’ll keep this birth date number for years to come. [ed: 69] Don’t you agree that would be neat?
I just had a crazy thought. Do you realize the last time my birth date will appear for all the world to see is on my tombstone!
Elaine's Memoirs 