Friday, February 6, 2009

Still Alive #5

The apartment I shared with my mom was one bedroom, front room, kitchen, we had to share a bathroom in the hallway, was not happy about that, but at least the people across the hall were very clean, We lived upstairs, the landlady had the first floor, she was in her sixty's and was a kind and caring person, I will never forget her, when she smiled at you, you could not help but smile back, she only had two upper teeth and not well taken care of.

It is not easy living with a person that drinks a lot, when I came home from work I never knew if she was going to be sober, most of the times she was. Mom got a job washing dishes in a dinner, she worked until midnight. One night I went to pick her up and she was not there, I ask and they said she left when her shift was over. I looked in every bar in town, no mom, so I went home, not knowing what was going on, she came home around three a.m., drunk and falling up the stairs, I thought the landlady would come out and tell us to leave. The next morning mom said her boss had offered to drive her home and he wanted to stop by his home first, they got to drinking and the next thing she knew it was around three a,m..

Mom went to another job, it was right across from my work, it was dish washing also. At this time mom met Leon at a bar and they started to date, and she started to miss work, her boss knew I worked across the street and would call and ask if I knew were she was, I told him probably at her new boyfriends. Mom started to stay with Leon, who by the way was a very nice man and never married. He owned his home, had a car and had a nice job, which he was at until he passed away. I guess my mom felt secure for the first time since dad died, She married Leon in 1956, it had been a year since she came to Michigan.

I moved again to a one room apartment and again I had to share a bathroom in the hallway, she also was very clean, too clean, so I made sure I left the bathroom as I found it. I was going out to my friend from work a lot, her name was Ruth, I adopted her from the first week I was working as my mom. She treated me like a daughter, Ruth had only one child, a son Bruce, at this time he was sixteen. I stayed every weekend with them, I helped her with her house work, her husband Stan was a sweet man, he delivered milk, door to door. I have to admit I did not have enough money to survive, she knew this, and always ask me to her home, even during the week. Ruth had formed a bowling team and I joined up with them, I never had so much fun in my life as I did with the team, it has been over fifty years and I still know their names, Muriel, Barb, Doris, Ruth, Arlene and myself. Ruth and Stan bought property on Lake Michigan and built their new home and four cottages to rent out, at this time. A few years after this Ruth developed breast cancer and had to have one removed and at this time her son was married. Ruth survived ten years, the cancer came back and she was not so lucky this time. She enjoyed living at the lake and the people she rented to, she had a great personality, her son and his wife gave her two grandkids to enjoy also, Bruce now runs the business, his dad passed away two years after Ruth. I now mention this great lady because she helped me in more ways than I could ever tell her. I loved her more than I did my own mom and I still miss her to this very second.

I could no longer afford my apartment, so, even though I hated to do it I ask my mom, the real one, if I could move in with them. Leon worked third shift, so I slept with mom and on weekends I slept on the couch. When my mom would drink I would go to Ruth's home and stay until bed time or stay the night. I met my husband October, 1958, my cousin Bill was married to his sister and wanted me to meet him. I was at Ruth's getting ready to go bowling when Bill came out with Wayne, his first name is Charles, but everyone calls him by his middle name, they all came bowling with me that night.

18 comments:

Patty said...

Sounds like times were tough for you, but you're a survivor and that's good. Waiting to hear about you and Bill.

It's a shame your Mother couldn't kick the drinking. I know my younger brother and his wife both joined AA and so far, so good. I think it's been about five years or longer for both of them. Now they are trying to quit smoking. Thank goodness I never had any of those habits, but if there's a good piece of chocolate laying on the table and no one else wants it, I'll eat it. I'm not as bad as I use to be, but I still love my sweets.

I'll be waiting for the next installment of your life. Thanks for sharing.

Judy said...

Hi Margaret, I have been reading your posts and catching up on your life. How sad about your mother. There are so many people that let the bottle run their lives and just can't let it go.
I am so glad you did not inherit her problem. I am finally back online and trying to catch up on all my blogging friends. Thank you so much for your visits and concern during this crazy ice storm here. I have missed visiting with you.

Anonymous said...

Just like a novel only better told...

Lilly said...

Margaret, that was amazing. I was glued to every word. What a strong person you must be. I am so glad you met Charles as well. And that alcohol didnt hold any fascination for you either.

zuveena said...

wow!!! what a wonderful love story...I wish my love story will be the same like yours... but anyway...have a great valentines day celebration and may GOD BLESS you with a longer life together forever...

Anonymous said...

DEAR MARGARET,
THANK YOU FOR VISITING ME ON PINK SATURDAY.
ONCE AGAIN...WHAT A STORY...THERE IS ACHOLISM ON BOTH SIDES OF MY FAMILY AND I HATE IT...NOT THE PERSON...THE ALCOHOL.....
IT IS AMAZING YOU ARE THE BEAUTIFUL WOMAN YOU ARE WITH SUCH UPHEAVAL AROUND YOU CONSTANTLY...A GIRL THAT JUST WANTED TO BE LOVED
BLESSINGS MY FRIEND
debbie

Margaret Cloud said...

Thank you dear friends for all your comments.

Anonymous said...

Oh Margaret, I'm just catching up on your past few posts and they are enthralling. I can only agree with ramblingwoods.com. I'm looking forward to more. (thank you)

Kathleen said...

Alcohol seems to be a recurring theme through many people's lives, mine included. So strange, too, because I cannot stand a drunk, and yet they seem to wander into my life at the most inopportune times.

I love reading your stories, Margaret! Thank you for posting them!

Hootin Anni said...

What a wonderful and love filled post about the truths of life and how you have had the strength and will. You're amazing!!!

Thanks so much, Margaret, for the birthday wishes.

Cat Naps in Italy said...

Just wanted to stop by and thank you for your kind comments on Roscoe's blog. I am a bit late, but I don't check his blog as often as I should (it is just too sad). Wishing you all the best in the year to come.

Opus and Cyn

Gigi Ann said...

Hello Margaret,

I don't know how I missed your other post, but I caught up today. I so enjoy reading your life story. I love reading autobiographies. And reading it a day at a time makes it so much more interesting.

Your mother lived a sad life, alcoholism not only caused her unhappiness, but it affected the whole family's life. I am so glad you were able to rise above all the turmoil in your life and find happiness.

I am looking forward to your next installment. Until then have a nice week.

Ann

Cats~Goats~Quotes said...

We gave you an award!
You can see it on our blog :)

Ms. Tee said...

Hi Margaret - Your life story is so interesting. I agree with the others that you're such a strong woman. Thanks for sharing it all with us, and thank you for the sweet comments you leave over on my blog. :) Have a great week~

My Littel Island said...

Thanks girl i just love your storry it make me think of my mom and her drinking so ceape it coming cant wate for the next one

Yankee Girl ~ Missy said...

Thanks so much for sharing. This is like a good book that you can't put down. You have a gift to tell stories!

Anonymous said...

Your stories are so inspiring Ms. margaret, I'm glad to met you in the blogging world.

By the way, I added u in my bloglist, hope you can add me here too.. thank you..

Happy Valentines Day!

Margaret Cloud said...

I like to check my post and read all your comments, thank you all.

Post a Comment