tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002257954816576516.post7676293430822476262..comments2024-03-05T03:13:50.858-05:00Comments on JerseyLil's 2 Cents: Radio Flyer Wagon: Father's Day MemoriesJerseyLilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18381518701383106141noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002257954816576516.post-61949262961221182362013-06-27T22:18:52.306-04:002013-06-27T22:18:52.306-04:00Yes it is! Thanks, Julia. :)Yes it is! Thanks, Julia. :)JerseyLilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18381518701383106141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002257954816576516.post-15525759002274164462013-06-27T21:02:10.850-04:002013-06-27T21:02:10.850-04:00A child's imagination is a wonderful treasure....A child's imagination is a wonderful treasure. Precious!Julia Honeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08497316179340178624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002257954816576516.post-2673501767315732322013-06-25T01:47:56.025-04:002013-06-25T01:47:56.025-04:00Rum-Punch Drunk, thank you so much! And thank you ...Rum-Punch Drunk, thank you so much! And thank you for putting the link to my post on your Father’s Day blog post. Those rides in the Red Radio Flyer Wagon were great fun and a special treat, one of my best childhood memories. <br /><br />I really appreciate your kind comments, and your empathy for my Dad. He had such faith in the Church; he took us to Mass every Sunday and prayed for my mother. The betrayal by the parish was stunning (but from what I’ve learned from others, not altogether surprising). He worked very hard to make ends meet (sometimes working two shifts at a factory job), and he loved his family. Yes, he lost his children because of his trust in the Church, truly heartbreaking! And so wrong. The parish should have provided charity and comfort, helped to keep the family together. That’s not what they did. There is nothing acceptable or charitable about their behavior. <br /><br />You are so right about how cherished memories are what helps to keep us going. I can’t change the past, but I can pause and warmly remember my father and the rides with my sisters in the red wagon. I am so glad you enjoyed the photos and the Irish Lullaby too.<br />JerseyLilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18381518701383106141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002257954816576516.post-46433252205048523162013-06-25T00:59:58.978-04:002013-06-25T00:59:58.978-04:00Thank you, Jenny, I’m so glad you stopped by again...Thank you, Jenny, I’m so glad you stopped by again. Everything that happened was very difficult for my father. Yes, mental illness ruins so many lives and tears families apart. My father was a very likeable man and I cherish those memories.JerseyLilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18381518701383106141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002257954816576516.post-41144346187312913722013-06-25T00:28:54.020-04:002013-06-25T00:28:54.020-04:00Zoe, thank you for your comment. So true about out...Zoe, thank you for your comment. So true about outside forces thinking they know what’s best but actually knowing nothing at all. My father was a wonderful man, and I think it was very creative of him to think of wagon rides to the store instead of walking. Thanks for joining my blog! I’ll be over to visit yours.JerseyLilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18381518701383106141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002257954816576516.post-22126244157766410042013-06-23T03:56:00.120-04:002013-06-23T03:56:00.120-04:00I can just imagine all the fun rides you all had o...I can just imagine all the fun rides you all had on the Red Radio Flyer Wagon. What a wonderful treat it must have been. It's amazing how much entertainment you got out of it, compared to some of the gadgets the children have nowadays. <br /><br />I felt so sorry for your father to think that he was doing his best to help and keep the family together only to be betrayed by the church. He lost all his children through trust, and I can just feel how much his heart was broken during those times. The church should have been there to help and not destroy. It's also worse to think that your siblings were all divided up and sent to different places. You'd think that an organisation would at least have enough sense to see it was a related family unit and keep you all together. <br /><br />Despite all what you have been through, it's nice to know that you have kept some very precious memories of fun and laughter during those times. Riding the wagon with dad pulling, colouring, joking around with your sisters, getting lollipops from the shop etc. It's those loving moments that keep us going sometimes. <br /><br />Your dad never gave up on any of you, he loved you all dearly, and had to work to make ends meet. I'm glad you wrote about him and remembered him for Fathers Day. This truly is a brilliant post JerseyLil and I really liked the photos and enjoyed listening to the touching video of the Irish Lullaby.Rum-Punch Drunkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13531893705181077869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002257954816576516.post-75877049193127121352013-06-23T03:03:05.039-04:002013-06-23T03:03:05.039-04:00I am sorry to hear of your father's tribulatio...I am sorry to hear of your father's tribulations, how hard it must have been for him. People who have responsibility for others' lives have such a burden, and they should be aware of it rather than treating it like a job. Mental illness is such a curse and ruins so many lives. I am really glad that you have such good memories of your dad, who looks from his picture, and sounds from your lovely reminiscence of him, to have been such a likeable man. Jenny Woolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16881781466502273314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002257954816576516.post-31146746815252625042013-06-21T19:12:09.604-04:002013-06-21T19:12:09.604-04:00What a wonderful man your father was to try so har...What a wonderful man your father was to try so hard. So sad for all of you...outside forces often think they know best when they really know nothing at all...Also re your dad, You gotta love a guy who can appreciate the benefits of a good ride over a walk!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13864898827831713032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002257954816576516.post-92173049922482990272013-06-20T15:59:28.997-04:002013-06-20T15:59:28.997-04:00Thanks, Dale, I appreciate that. So right, as unbe...Thanks, Dale, I appreciate that. So right, as unbelievable as it seems, the behavior of the Catholic Church comes as no surprise when we know what they have done in the US and other countries (such as the recent case of the orphanages in Ireland). I tried to derive strength from the strength of my father. I think recalling happy times like the red wagon rides really helps. JerseyLilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18381518701383106141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002257954816576516.post-52717363907625849592013-06-20T15:58:43.161-04:002013-06-20T15:58:43.161-04:00Kristina, thank you. They are cherished memories a...Kristina, thank you. They are cherished memories and I feel fortunate to have them. My siblings and I are in touch, although not as close as we would have been had we been able to grow up together as a family. Those memories with Dad will always be special to me.<br />JerseyLilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18381518701383106141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002257954816576516.post-24847442037911797062013-06-19T15:21:53.498-04:002013-06-19T15:21:53.498-04:00Wonderful post. So sad. Unbelievable (well, sadl...Wonderful post. So sad. Unbelievable (well, sadly not that unbelievable) behaviour by the Catholic charities. You clearly derive much strength of character from your father. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04303422515779423868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002257954816576516.post-85880703232585304362013-06-19T10:57:47.226-04:002013-06-19T10:57:47.226-04:00Madelyn, I am so glad that you have those wonderfu...Madelyn, I am so glad that you have those wonderful, cherished moments with your dad. And how you were able to see some sunshine and rainbows during those dark and stormy days. I hope that you and your siblings were able to stay in touch and find each other after all you went through.My Wyoming Adventurehttp://www.mywyomingadventure.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002257954816576516.post-39078527251911277802013-06-18T17:41:31.754-04:002013-06-18T17:41:31.754-04:00Thanks so much, Angelika. That is one of the few p...Thanks so much, Angelika. That is one of the few photos I have with my father back then and I treasure it. Being with him made me smile. JerseyLilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18381518701383106141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002257954816576516.post-161363986684830852013-06-18T17:38:10.679-04:002013-06-18T17:38:10.679-04:00Michelle, thank you. That a fantastic writer such ...Michelle, thank you. That a fantastic writer such as yourself would call my post “raw” and “honest” and say that it “flowed so well” means a great deal to me. Writing a candid post about these bittersweet memories without coming across too maudlin is what I had hoped to achieve. I know from reading your blog that you truly understand about baring one’s soul. I sincerely appreciate your comment.JerseyLilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18381518701383106141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002257954816576516.post-83453523639873959212013-06-18T17:25:52.187-04:002013-06-18T17:25:52.187-04:00Thank you, Charlene. This Father’s Day post is the...Thank you, Charlene. This Father’s Day post is the other bookend after writing my Mother’s Day post (and I appreciate the beautiful comments you left there). With this post, I wanted to not only write a good memory of my dad, but also the how and why of what happened in our family. I really appreciate your comment.JerseyLilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18381518701383106141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002257954816576516.post-30083118644180018662013-06-18T17:24:49.245-04:002013-06-18T17:24:49.245-04:00Big D, thanks, I appreciate your comment. We did g...Big D, thanks, I appreciate your comment. We did get sold down the river and it was a terrible thing to do to a family. The post did go from charming to dark, and I hesitated doing that but needed to explain what happened that caused children to go from happy rides in a red wagon to an orphanage and foster care. There is much focus on my mother’s illness in my family, but less focus paid to what my father went through and I wanted to look at that, to give a fuller picture of him. Those rides in the Red Radio Flyer Wagon were a good memory from the past.JerseyLilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18381518701383106141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002257954816576516.post-63929582500549411532013-06-18T17:21:11.896-04:002013-06-18T17:21:11.896-04:00Thank you, John. The betrayal of the parish priest...Thank you, John. The betrayal of the parish priest is beyond comprehension, I agree, and no one would believe it unless they knew the history of the Catholic Church. Even then, it is stunning. I can see from your comment that you have an idea of what I’m talking about. Yes, they have committed similar acts here in the US and other countries, and very sadly, it is all too commonplace. Thanks for stopping by.JerseyLilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18381518701383106141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002257954816576516.post-64976376785474127262013-06-18T17:18:26.528-04:002013-06-18T17:18:26.528-04:00Marty, I sincerely thank you. I really love that q...Marty, I sincerely thank you. I really love that quote by Shelley: "The sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thought." Ah, so true! Writing about my past is a great catharsis. I never intended to write about any of it when I began blogging; my original intent was to write a light-hearted blog about humor, dogs, recipes, and my general bit of two cents on this and that topic. But the more I write about the past, the more the memories come flooding in and the writing just flows. Now I am even considering a book one day. “What joys, what sorrows, what memories, what beauty,” thank you for those words. JerseyLilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18381518701383106141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002257954816576516.post-5911002994417761362013-06-18T17:16:35.299-04:002013-06-18T17:16:35.299-04:00Kris, thank you so much. Writing this post was ver...Kris, thank you so much. Writing this post was very difficult but I felt I needed to write it for my father. My mother’s illness was only the tip of the iceberg in the story of what happened to fracture my family. All the cumulative events, the shunning by my mother’s family, the deception by the parish priest, social services making us wards of the state and farming us out to foster care (and two of my siblings never even got foster homes, they stayed with nuns or in terrible children’s resident facilities), it all took a heavy toll on our family unit. Finding “solace in those crayon-colored Red Rider memories,” and finding the few “normal” moments from my childhood was so important to maintaining sanity amid the chaos and tragedy. Those moments do give hope and courage, so true. <br /><br />It is stunning to think that six little children once so close had to endure all that. I appreciate your anger about how the Church betrayed my father’s trust. That it could even happen that way comes as no surprise now to those of us former Catholics who know the history of the Church. <br /><br />Yes, my father was a compassionate man who loved his wife and his children, and the entire experience of what happened was a terrible dilemma for him. I am afraid some of my siblings are not able to fully understand what happened and why it happened, they were so young when it all fell apart. I am so glad you loved the photos too, thanks. JerseyLilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18381518701383106141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002257954816576516.post-7163717163593002642013-06-18T17:05:38.892-04:002013-06-18T17:05:38.892-04:00Thank you, Umashankar. Ah yes, you’ll have to now ...Thank you, Umashankar. Ah yes, you’ll have to now forgive Thomas Hardy for writing such poignant tragedies lol! (“Far From the Maddening Crowd,” a masterpiece). Those rides in the Red Radio Flyer Wagon were indeed small joys snatched out of the gloom and chaos of our childhood. I am glad you liked the photos too.<br /><br />Memories of my father singing those Irish lullabies is a good memory as well. Those little neighborhood stores hardly exist here anymore. A whole big city has now been built up around where that little store used to be, but I am glad that store existed when it did back when I was young.JerseyLilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18381518701383106141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002257954816576516.post-33499798484133181242013-06-18T17:02:46.290-04:002013-06-18T17:02:46.290-04:00Donna, thank you so much. That is so odd about you...Donna, thank you so much. That is so odd about your dream of the Red Flyer Wagon you had as a child, dreaming that just the night before you read my post, interesting (hope your mother didn’t really give it away; I think one of my sisters has the wagon we had as kids). I am so glad this post brought back good memories of pulling your kids in a wagon too. Yes, I remember you were also a ward of the state for different reasons, although no less painful to recall. It is something you and I can understand.<br /><br />I was close to my father and the time I spent with him is the main reason I have any good memories at all of my childhood, so this post is my tribute to him. Thanks also for letting me know you liked this Father’s Day post even better than the one I did last year. Besides writing about the red wagon memories, in this post I wanted to explain more about what happened to our family. <br />JerseyLilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18381518701383106141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002257954816576516.post-20631483894637070872013-06-18T17:00:24.428-04:002013-06-18T17:00:24.428-04:00Melody, I appreciate your words so much, thank you...Melody, I appreciate your words so much, thank you. Wonderful memories like the rides in the Red Radio Flyer Wagon certainly did sweeten the harsh realities of our difficult childhood. It is sad that my younger brothers did not have that memory as well to sustain them. My youngest brother barely had the chance to bond with my father before the orphanage years. It was the kind of childhood that will either make or break a person and I chose not to be broken. I feel the early years with my father, having some good memories, helped me to have that strength. JerseyLilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18381518701383106141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002257954816576516.post-88238052772371275392013-06-18T16:59:19.197-04:002013-06-18T16:59:19.197-04:00Angie, thanks so much. I am delighted my post brou...Angie, thanks so much. I am delighted my post brought back childhood memories. I bet the red wagon you had was a Red Radio Flyer Wagon, they were very popular. What fun that your dad used to pull you in a red wagon too. So glad you stopped by.JerseyLilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18381518701383106141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002257954816576516.post-55591175940709875412013-06-18T16:57:57.602-04:002013-06-18T16:57:57.602-04:00Yun Yi, thank you, and I am happy you listened to ...Yun Yi, thank you, and I am happy you listened to the John Gary Irish lullaby. My Irish grandmother (who I sadly never knew) sang that to my father, and he sang it to us. It’s a lovely tune. The Red Radio Flyer Wagon was a fun memory. Thank you about the photo with my sisters! Yes, what happened was bittersweet and heartbreaking. I was always stunned by the actions of the priest, and even more so, the total rejection by my mother’s family and their misplaced Old World views on mental illness. My father did have an incredibly difficult time and I only wish some of my siblings would try to understand his position in what happened. When I say my family was “fractured” I mean it in more ways than one. <br /><br />As I write these posts, I am considering that I may have material for a book one day. You are so right, true stories are better than fiction. <br />JerseyLilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18381518701383106141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8002257954816576516.post-25154217572682896892013-06-18T16:53:31.819-04:002013-06-18T16:53:31.819-04:00Ian, thank you about the post and photos. Yes, a b...Ian, thank you about the post and photos. Yes, a bittersweet story; “bittersweet” is a good word for it. It was truly heart-wrenching for my father to not only witness the demise of the wife he loved, but also seeing the children he loved being sent off and split up into different foster homes. And then, of course, we have the betrayal of the parish priest and the rejection by my mother’s family. Over the years, I’ve realized how the primary family focus has been on my mother and her illness, and rightly so, but the pain my father must have suffered has been overlooked. I needed to write that for him. I appreciate that you could feel for him in particular. <br /><br />Interesting that you’re the eldest in your family too. The perspective of an eldest child in a family is unique I think, because growing up you’re always somewhere in between having to be the mature one and just being one of the kids. In my case, being the eldest was such a valuable position; I got to spend the most time with my father before everything completely fell apart when I was 12. Those bonding years with my father made all the difference in helping me develop a more positive outlook in life despite all that happened later on. Cheers to you, too.<br />JerseyLilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18381518701383106141noreply@blogger.com