Monday, February 4, 2013

Old Fashioned Love by Paty Jager




When I saw the topic for this month was favorite romance—fictional or non-fictional, I sat a moment and thought about the fictional ones I’d read, nothing tugged at my heartstrings. I thought about real ones, starting with my husband and I, then worked my way through friends and family and that’s when I started to smile.

My great aunt Myrle and great uncle Roger make me smile when I think of them. Myrle was my paternal grandmother’s sister. They were as different as night and day. Where my grandmother had a perpetual frown Myrle always had a smile. We only say her and Roger a few times as they lived in Texas and we lived in Oregon, but those few times left an impact on me.

I never heard a strained word between the two. Roger always escorted Myrle where she wanted to go and gave her a peck on the cheek when he left her. They both smiled all the time and made you feel as if the smile was just for you. They laughed a lot and enjoyed including everyone into the action.

Myrle and Roger never had children. I don’t think it was by choice, but rather by fate. They were both wonderful with kids and we, my brothers and I, loved having them around. Stories my dad tells are of he and his brother staying with his aunt and uncle and the good times they had with them
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My fondest memory of the two was at a traumatic time in my life…I started my period. It was summer, my mom was at work at the medical clinic and I found myself bleeding. Of course we’d had “the video and talk” at school in Health and my mom had simply handed the pamphlet back to me when I showed it to her the day I received it.  My grandparents lived about 50 feet away from our house in a mobile home. Lucky for me, it happened to be a summer when Myrle and Roger were visiting.

To put this into perspective, my grandmother raised two boys and was partial to boys. When I went to her house and asked to speak to her in private she said to speak up. I, of course, turned beet red and that’s when Myrle took me to the side and asked what was wrong. I told her and she nodded to Roger to follow her into the kitchen. Within minutes, Roger came out of the kitchen, smiled and winked at me and donned his hat. Myrle put her arm around my shoulders and we walked back to my house talking about how this kind of think can sneak up on a person.

Twenty minutes later, Roger returned from town with a paper bag that he handed to Myrle who handed it to me. I knew what to do and expect because the whole time he was gone she answered my questions and explained how to deal with the monthly issue. The two of them said their, good-byes and walked side by side, their shoulders touching back to my grandmothers.

They became the marker I set for the relationship I wanted with my spouse. And I believe I’ve attained that and my life is richer for witnessing the tangible love they had for one another.

Is there a real life couple that you emulate or hope to emulate with your relationship with your significant other? 


14 comments:

Judith Ashley said...

I'm very glad Myrlie and Roger were in your life at that time, Paty. What a wonderful way to support a younger girl experiencing her menses for the first time. And Roger? I knew when he left what he was going to do and he did it with a smile. There are men who would grudgingly and grumblingly do it but with a smile and a wink? That is awesome!

I don't have someone in my life at this time but I have composites of relationships that I would attempt to emulate if there was a 'someone'.

Paty Jager said...

Hi Judith. Yes, Roger was my marker of a hero and I'm happy to say, I think my husband is a lot like him. And back at the time this all took place, men didn't buy that type of thing as much as they do now.

Those two were special and I'm glad I had them in my life.

Linda LaRoque said...

What a beautiful story, Paty. Regardless of how much you know, your first period is a traumatic event in your life. I'm glad you had Aunt Myrle and Uncle Roy.

Lorna Collins - said...

What wonderful modeling! I had it with my mother- and father-in-love. They were married over 67 years when Mother died, and they were still in love. Waht an incredible blessing!

Robin Weaver, Author said...

What a nice story, Paty. Myrle and Roger sound like my grandmother and grandfather. He was 6'4", she was 4'10", but still two peas in the proverbial pod. Even as a toddler, I remember she had to sit next to him in the car (with me on the outside).

Paty Jager said...

Hi Linda. I agree and am so happy I had Myrle and Roger there, too. And knowing how much their kindness and information helped me, I made sure my daughter's had provisions in the house and knew to come to me when they started.

Hi Lorna! It is wonderful to have people in our lives who we can emulate and learn there is a love that is genuine and full of hope. Thanks for commenting!

Anonymous said...

What a touching story. Thank you for sharing it.

Diana McCollum said...

For Roger to go to the store for "that" purpose,he must have had a very big spot in his heart for you, Paty! Beautiful story, thanks for sharing.

Sarah Raplee said...

Sometimes all a child needs to believe in true love is to witness two people in love like Roger and Myrle. What a lovely story.

My husband and I try to emulate my parents, who set a wonderful example for their children. We never doubted their love for each other.

Paty Jager said...

Thanks Robin! They did seem to be inseparable and loving.

HI Ella! Thanks for stopping in!

Diana, I agree, but Roger had a big spot for everyone, I believe.

Sarah, It's true. My husband's parents didn't get along and he was set on never getting married if that was what married life was like. Luckily for me, I changed his mind. ;)

Anna Brentwood said...

What a great, heartwarming story. Thanks for sharing.

Paty Jager said...

Hi Anna! Thanks, it was fun rekindling the memories as I wrote the post.

Anonymous said...

I love this story, Paty! I never knew a great grandfather. I did know great grandmothers on both sides of my family. How wonderful for you to have such a great example of love and then to find it yourself as well.

I'm fortunate, in that my parents are celebrating their 60th anniversary this year. With 9 children, death, illness, and all the usual trials of a large family without money, it has amazed me how they have smiled, laughed, and loved through it all. Their belief in the natural circle of life and rolling with the punches has also been passed to each of us kids too.

There example, and constant love for each other and each of us kids, has certainly made my life much easier.

Paty Jager said...

Hi Maggie. Thanks! My parents would have been celebrating their 55th if mom hadn't lost her battle with cancer. But while they showed a united front, we didn't see happiness glowing between them until we were gone and their financial situation was less strained.