Cecil's Stories
MARGARET ON THE WHITMERS
Cecil Whitmer
ENGAGEMENT:
Edna had not acknowledged her engagement ring before you went to Grandma’s. Grandma would grab her hand to see if she had an engagement ring. “Oh and what do you think about this.” Edna got married young so Grandma would always ask for Margaret’s hand.
BARBARA
Rex’s Barbara got married the day after Margaret. When they went to the reunion in ‘63 Grandma jerked her jacket open to see if she was pg and when it wasn’t showing she said “Well I’ll just have to give Barbara the quilt I just put on yesterday.” She always felt denied. Margaret hadn’t told anyone; she had baby first.
GRANDMA
Taught to respect elders. Seems so out of character. My dad could be so onery and so funny. Before I was a teenager I don’t remember other family members going to Grandma’s house. One of last times in her home I remember dad being there. Grandma saying, “I need to fix you something to eat.” Dad replying, “You don’t have to fix us anything to eat. We’re just fine.” He got on his hands and knees so she couldn’t get into the kitchen. Grandma just sat on him. His
mouth dropped open. There she was, sitting on his back. She just sat there and laughed.
When I think of water fights I think of your mom because we had come from California; a rich, cool family from CA; always dressed to the nines when we came. Aunt Fern started a water fight in the yard, and others too. She got drenched. “You owe me some new underwear because my new garments had faded all over my underwear!” Cecil was never involved but I can remember that he couldn’t help himself if he had a glass of water; he would pour it on them. He hated board games: monopoloy.
When they came to Mesa and we lived around the corner from the temple. I remember them going to the temple with Dad and Rex, Cecil sealing family. Her dad wasn’t worthy because he was inactive.
I remember Grandpa in our home in Alpine. They had come to visit. Just cabin with four rooms. Grandpa sitting in the living room between daybed and couch. He coaxed me to come over but he would “Milk our fingers” by bend ingmy fingers so I didn’t like it.
AUNT ETHEL
Edna young girl. Ethel bringing her things. 7th grade gave her first short hair cut by Aunt Ethel. She told her the weight of your hair was pulling out the natural curl because it was long. Her mother would fix ringlets for church but then for school always in braids but they were so tiny like little finger. Really fine. When she had her hysterectomy gave her four pints blood.
Only time I saw Von was when LaVaughn died. They brough her to Alpine to be buried. He was so devastated he sat in back seat of the car with his arm around the casket. He could’t talk or look at anyone. So difficult to let them bury the casket.
James, Harold’s son, remembers the sadness when he died.
People didn’t talk about the next life when people would die. The doctor killed Paul by giving medicine that poisoned him. Mom saying to lose Paul It had to be a blessing (most socialable in family) Paul in middle of everything. He had close friends .. were alcolhoics and had gone to the dog. Blessing for him to be taken while he was such a good boy.
Uncle Harold’s family not active. Mom made a comment that Dad got active when we moved to Mesa.
BITS AND PIECES
Margaret was really shocked when we started dating. Some girls liked to date older guys but she didn’t because she wanted to graduate from college. She felt he was so far ahead of my values spiritually, but the reason I do all these things is to feel worthy of him.
Loved Aunt Hessie so cheerful. Nina only girlfriend in Alpine.
Uncle Rex and Aunt Claire, and John and I went back to Morenci and spent the week. Claire and Rex loved water fights too. The kids would get involveed after it started.
Fern was so fun loving even though on tail end of family. She had the ideal husband, family, and perfect kids. She was beautiful and fun. Hard to fathom Faye and Fern being twins at opposite ends of spectrum. When Dad was in the hospital they would come to see Cecil a number of times with Raymond. Seemed so sad and serious. Remember one time going to their home in Phoenix, went in house, spotless. Faye came in door and left her purse sitting inside by the door. Uncle Raymond jumped up and put it in the bedroom. Nothing was out of place in the home.