Category: Myrtle

Easters With The Coxes

Vickie

 

 

Martha & Vickie in their Easter Dress made by Myrtle

 

Vickie & Martha 1960

Martha – Myrtle – Vickie
I can’t remember an Easter that we did not have Easter Baskets and Easter egg hunts for the kids.  I can remember helping Mom make up the baskets.  We didn’t have all the extra stuff kids get for Easter today.  We always colored eggs with the kids.  Each kid usually wrote their names on their eggs with crayons.  There always were eggs with scribbles and flowers and somebody always made an egg with MOM or DAD on it. No matter how poor we were, Mom always found enough money to buy those yellow marshmallow chicks and jelly beans for the baskets.

Then Mom and I hid the baskets all over the house for the kids to find on Easter morning.  Now mind you, the kids were ranging from babies at one or so up through eleven or twelve – Martha, Vickie, Bobby, Gary, Larry and then Shirley and myself. Carl and Tommy were a couple of years older and I can’t remember if they got Easter baskets or candy or what. 

Then after the kids found their baskets, we always had an Easter Egg Hunt.  Daddy got a huge kick out of hiding dozens of colored eggs all over the yard in the front and back of the house wherever we lived. Then he would guide the little kids toward an egg or badger an older one for walking right by a hidden egg.

Vickie, Myrtle, Martha dressed for Easter

I usually made Easter outfits for Vickie and Martha which were always worn to Sunday School on Easter Sunday. On this page are some of the outfits I made over some of the years.  Here is me, Myrtle, Susie Bolin, and Shirley in our Easter dresses showing off some bracelet.  I have no idea where we got our dresses.

Larry, Bobby, Carl Williams, and Gary on Easter

 

I know I have tons of pictures on Easters where Jeff, Anita, Carla Jo, CaraLeta and all the gang are together on Easter, but I guess I have not scanned them in.  I will add them as I find time.

 Also, I can’t pass up mentioning the Sunday School Easter Egg Hunts.  Sunday School kids ( many Coxes) often rode in the back of  a truck out to a field where eggs had already been hidden.  I particularly remember Mrs. Bates, who taught Sunday School, walking around with the kids to help guide them.  Of course we got to keep those eggs too.

We kept those eggs in our baskets for days and days as we gradually ate them, as opposed to putting them in the refrigerator right away as we do today.  Would you believe we never even thought of getting sick. 

Now I am 67 years old and still miss the fun of coloring and hiding eggs.  I would give almost anything to go home to Ohio and join in coloring and hiding eggs with the new batch of little kids such as Daphne, Eli, Madelyn and now little Paul.

But I will say that I have been married almost 40 years and my Mother-in-law has always made an Easter Basket for me.  It always contains a chocolate covered egg, a chocolate bunny, jelly beans and some porcelain Easter related figurine.   So this year my Mother-in-law, who is turning 100 years old on July 2, was in the grocery store with me and decided she would try to get the makings of an Easter basket.  Then we colored six eggs and, even though I can’t say it was fun as it would have been with kids, I got a kick out of making some sparkleyeggs. Of course I had to find a basket and help a little, but I ended up getting an Easter basket now in 2011.  Here is a picture of my 2011 Easter Basket.

Happy Birthday to Daddy (Robert Floyd Cox)

   

Wonder how old Daddy was here?  Looked pretty snappy in that scarf. Then in 1960 in his work clothes.

 

 Daddy and Mommy at Thelma and Tommy’s wedding.

Can you believe Daddy would have been 91 years old today.  He was born June 23, 1918 and died  November 12, 1974.  Gee that means he was only 56 years old when he died.   That seems so young to me now that I am older. 

Wonder what he would have been like and what would he have thought about today’s “goings on”.   Although Daddy had his foibles, there could never be a more generous man.  I remember many occasions when he would take in another kid (usually a friend of one of his own kids), and let them stay as long as they needed.  He gave clothes and food to many strangers.  Lord knows, we were not the wealthy types – few were poorer, but it seems like we always had more than enough of everything we needed, so he was always willing to help somebody else.  I think that is why most of us are always a bit too willing to help each other even when we probably shouldn’t.

I vaguely remember living in Kentucky in a relatively nice size house with bedrooms and locking doors, etc.  That was in Paintsville, Kentucky.  I do remember Larry being born there.  Shirley and I were in a room next to where Mommy was giving birth, assisted by the midwife.  The door was locked, and we tried to peek through the keyhole, but couldn’t see a darn thing.  I think Daddy worked in a coal mine there.   I wish I knew more about that time frame.  I do recall taking naps in what I think was a large room with an A frame ceiling. 

I have some vague memories of our move from Kentucky to Fairborn, Ohio.  I seem to remember us older kids were in the back of a covered truck.  We stopped at some point and Daddy bought us some of those candy ice cream cones with the colored marshmallow tops.  I think I was about six years old.  I think we first moved into the middle cabin/house that Mr. Holton rented out. 

Then at some point, we moved to the 2nd cabin which was just a bit larger.  That is where Gary was born.  I can still remember him in the basinett with Josephine Cole there.  We were told Gary was a “blue baby”.

Then after a while we moved into the largest Holton property.  WOW – we had a large living/bedroom, a kitchen and a very small back bedroom.  I can still picture that house.  We had two full size beds in the living room along with a couch and a stove.  Maybe there were other pieces of furniture that I can’t remember.  By this time I must have been about 10 years old.  I remember holding Vickie as an infant on my chest as I laid on the couch.  Then I remember that tiny back bedroom being wall to wall beds at night.  Roll-away beds were a must. 

Bobby, Vickie, and Martha were born in that house. 

I remember that we usually had a boarder (an extra person who was supposed to pay for his keep) plus all those kids.

Anyway, Daddy worked in construction or some kind of outdoor work.  Mommy always packed lunches for Daddy and what ever boarder we had.  I do remember Mommy’s brother, Uncle Woodie, as one of our boarders.

That larger Holton house is the one in which we lived when Larry, Carolyn Brewer, and I were walking on a path near the rail road track to or from the Fairborn park.  (Everybody from Wrightview Heights walked that path.  We were grabbed by some man, but got a way.  One day that same man drove up in front of the house while I was out on the front step polishing some white shoes.  I nearly broke my neck getting in the house through that screen door.  When we told Daddy about the guy grabbing us, Daddy took out after that car, but the guy was gone and we never saw it or him again.  Daddy was so upset that we had not told him about that guy earlier. He was ready to fight for us.  Of course, I don’t appreciate fighting, but I knew he would have fought for us. 

He loved his kids no matter what.  And yes he believe in disciplining and whipping those who crossed him or did wrong.

My only recollection of getting a swat was when I found a quarter and Daddy asked me if I took it.  That hurt my feelings and I started to cry.  I cried easily in those days.  So Daddy said, “I’ll give you something to cry about and he whacked me on the but with his hand.”  Sure enough I had something to cry about – not a hurt rear end, but real hurt feelings.  That was my only memory of physical discipline.  However, the discipline came with a look or a word.  You just knew kids did not sass or talk back.  I think that bit of fear kept me from getting into trouble as a teenager.  I do appreciate the way I was raised, even though few people today believe in disciplining kids at all – thus kids are sassing parents and telling them what they can do, taking drugs, never happy and all that.  I was poor and disciplined with fear and so thankful for it.  Until the day our parents died, I always felt a deep sense of respect for them and could never imagine talking back or speak harshly to them even though sometimes I’m sure I wanted to – even as an adult, I would not. 

Sometimes when I go to the casino, I think to myself how much he would have enjoyed them.  He probably would have enjoyed those free drinks a little too much.  I know he would have liked the craps tables.  He used to roll the dice at home.

He used to enjoy those cigarettes with his coffee.  It is funny now, but I used to get so perturbed when Daddy would smoke and talk as he stood right beside the chair where I was curling Mommy’s hair.  It always burned my eyes and sometimes I would have to go outside to clear them.  In those days, no one thought of telling a parent anything like that.  Smoking was not a NO-NO and I would not want to hurt his feelings.

I remember waking up to Daddy whistling and/or singing to the radio tunes.  He loved Patsy Cline and that whole era of country singers.  Often he would break out in a tap dance.

I remember so much more, but I must get packed for the trip to Ohio for Marnee’s wedding, so I had better save the rest for later.

So Happy Birthday DADDY!

Your Oldest daughter, Myrtle

TRADITIONS and LIFE CHANGES and Easter too!

As the years go by, it’s kind of funny the things you do all alone with the thoughts of those you love around you.  When I lived in Xenia I would do Christmas tree decorating w/Martha and Ricky and the “little ones”.  I’d spend time decorating cookies and the tree.  Now I place a string of lights around my big sofa picture and say “Merry Christmas”.   I still go to Shirley’s (Mom) for the actual holiday, but it is so different now. 

It’s Easter now and what do I do every year…boil eggs and color/decorate them.  Here I am 55 years old, I have no kids and no grandchildren, but I still decorate/color eggs (just a bakers dozen, but I still do it.)  I’ve always “named” my eggs w/Mom and Myrtle and me and Michael, but this year I was inspired to name each of them for Robert/Goldie Cox and their kids including Carl and Bobby (they are still here in our minds and hearts), so there were 2 eggs remaining.  One I just wrote “Happy Easter” and the other “Love and appreciation for Myrtle”.)  I thought she deserved a special egg because she’s had a “bit” of extra aggravation over the past year or two.   

Holidays and all the past Easter egg hunts we’ve all enjoyed as participants and observers and all of the nice clothes we’ve dressed up in for the occassions we’ve shared, Happy Easter and Happy Holidays to everyone!  Which brings me to a past Easter memory…I was 12 years old and Myrtle made  or remade a white dress that was fitted at the bodice and waist, had poofy sleeves, and had an embroidered trim (it was very pretty.)  Based upon age, Myrtle wanted me to wear “anklet socks”  with this outfit, however, my body looked like I was 18, I was mortified!  I actually went to Mom and told her I needed to be wearing “nylons” with my dress.  Mom actually gave in and I got to wear “nylons” with my Easter dress.  It’s hard to believe, but I got my way.  (I don’t think Myrtle was thrilled, but that’s the way some things just happen.)  My Mom over ruled my “other Mom, Myrtle.)  I love you both the same!

 

Love,

Sister, Aunt, Great Aunt, Vickie 

POSTSCRIPT:  THIS BLOG NEEDS TO CONTINUE FOR ONE YEAR, SO WE HIT MEMORIES FROM EACH SEASON OF OUR LIVES…THE TIME OF YEAR MAKES YOU REMEMBER DIFFERENT THINGS ABOUT OUR LIVES…JUST A THOUGHT!

Bobby and Vickie

Bobby and I were close in age and it seemed like we fought all the time over anything.  My first memory was Bobby being at fault in braking the leg of my infamous ballerina doll.  He just wanted to upset me and decided to try and take her away from me…I wasn’t having that and thus her broken leg.  ( I bandaged her leg and as some of you know, I have her still today and I will get her picture on this site soon.)

Going through the teen years is never easy, but Bobby made fun of my blemishes, my short clothes, and anything else he could think of to make me cry.  We would fight and chase each other around the stove and around the house.  I can’t believe we didn’t kill one another, but we loved each and figured that out as we got older.  One of the funniest things was when he brought Joy home for the first time.  Joy was pretty, tall, and had legs that went on forever.  Her skirt was so short!  Bobby never made fun of my clothes again.

Around 1980, I took a business trip to New York.  Bobby was working in NY at the time and we made plans to meet at some O’something club.  I had 3 friends who joined me.  On the way through Times Sq, we we rerouted because there was a bomb scare.  We walked like we had no cares and arrived at the club.  Bobby was there w/some of his guys and was so glad to see me.  We danced (I’m not a dancer, but Bobby always led you like you felt you looked good on the floor.  His comment to me was, “god it’s good to see someone (girl) he wasn’t afraid of touching”.)  Aids had just become epidemic and he was really nervous.  My co-workers left early and Bobby said he’d get me back to the hotel safely.  When the night was over, Bobby and I got in a cab and even though his hotel was on the way to mine, he rode w/me to my hotel to make sure I was safe.

We made plans to take the train to Philadelphia and visit Myrtle and Pat.  I had my first experience of being accousted when getting out of a cab and having someone try to grab our bags, just so they could get a tip…that didn’t work, but it was interesting to see Bobby take control.  All I could think is that we could be shot!

It was such a welcome visit.  Although Myrtle and Pat aren’t drinkers, they always have tons of liquor left over from parties.  We got our hands on a “drink recipe book” and started to make as many of the concoctions as possible.  We made something that was pink and Myrtle put it to her lips, but that was that.  It was a great visit and I definately knew Bobby cared for me.  “All brothers and sisters fight…it really doesn’t mean a thing”.

Roller Skating with Dad and Jeff, my Fractured Coccyx – such pain!

Daddy used to take us roller skating at the Fairborn Skating Rink. I remember him whizzing around the rink whistling. My goodness, he could do all kinds of fancy things on those skates – going backwards, turning around and all that stuff. Dad would often take us by the hand and try to help us get better or at least more confident. He did seem to love all that. Wonder where on earth he learned to do that.
I remember the different skating sessions being called out over the loud speaker – “all boys skate”, “all girls skate”, “couples only”, etc, etc.  The lights were often dimmed and the lighted ball changed colors as we skated around or… some of us tried.

Well.. being the Aunt, I thought it would be fun helping little 3 year old Jeff skate. We got the tiny little skates on him and stood him up. I thought it would be a good idea to put him in front of me, with me kind of bending over and holding him under the arms so we could teach him to skate. I think we got about 5 or 6 feet oozing along the edge when all of a sudden my feet went straight out in front of me strattling around Jeff and kerplunk right on to my butt. Oh my goodness!

Don’t ask me if Jeff skated on out in front of me!  Lordee, who knows. I remember Daddy coming along to help me up, but I don’t recall what happened to Jeff.  Maybe he went on to skate the whole way around!

I had pain I couldn’t believe. Found out I had fractured my coccyx (tail bone). Nothing much could be done about it, but try not to sit flat down, and in those days, one never much thought of taking pain meds. But I had pain for about a year.

So, here’s what I learned about my fractured tail bone. (Remember I was going to be a nurse, so these things interested me.)

Causes of coccyx fracture include:

Falling on the buttocks—Skating and other activities that lead to falls in the seated position often contribute – Yes that fit the scenario! 

(I think Martha might recall a fractured coccyx from childbirth – but that wasn’t my cause.)

Sitting can be very uncomfortable after a coccyx fracture.

Suggestions to make sitting less painful include:

Sit on an air cushion or doughnut pad.
Alternate between sitting on one side of the buttock or the other.
Try sitting on a hard chair. Sinking into a soft chair sometimes increases the pressure on the coccyx.  (Maybe that is the reason to this day I prefer hard chairs and I tend to sit straight up almost on the front edge of a wooden chair.) 
Slouch to move your weight forward and off the coccyx. Note: This advice holds only until you are well enough to sit properly again.
Sit on a telephone book, with the area of the coccyx hanging off the posterior portion of the phone book.

Yes that all fit the picture – but that pain is still a memory – but did Jeff learn to skate?  If so, I guess it was all worth it.  I thought it was fun at the time.  Now, I think if I fell on my tail bone, I might die! “Not really”.

Larry’s Birth

Larry Lee Cox born January 12, 1949. Robert and Goldie’s 5th child and 3rd son was born in Paintsville, Kentucky at home.

I remember that day. Me and Shirley were locked in a bedroom beside the room Mommy was in. We were four and five years old. The midwife was in the room with Mommy. Of course we could hear some “goings on”. We tried to peek through the keyhole. I remember seeing the bed and Mommy in the bed, but couldn’t see anything else. Then I remember the Midwife coming to the door and letting us see the baby and Mommy. I can’t remember if Daddy was there or where Carl and Tommy were. Maybe, they were in school. Maybe Tommy will remember this.