My Children

William Warren “Bill” was born on December 2, 1949. He looked like a shrunken image of Warren. People standing at the nursery window would laugh as they could easily pick out who the daddy was. He even had curly fuzz on his head and Warren’s was so curly. Bill was the perfect child to have as your first as he was gentle, affectionate and easy going, setting a good example for the others. He was a handsome toddler and people would comment of his curly hair. I remember being in a store with him when the clerk asked me if my little brother would like a cookie.

Judith Joan “Judy” was born September 19, 1951. She was a blonde, with blue eyes, and such a pretty baby. She had an earache on the Sunday she was baptized. She walked at nine months. She didn’t want anyone to hold her except mommy and everyone wanted to because she was so pretty. She hated starchy pinafores or holes in her t-shirt sleeve and would whine about it until it was changed. She was fun to dress because she was adorable and I loved being her mommy. She had such blonde hair I remember sending for a bathing cap that looked like a blonde wig and I would wear it at the Western Springs pool. People thought it was a riot because it was the same color as Judy’s.

Anne Beth “Anne” was born January 29, 1953. She was a sweet, happy, pretty baby and overly friendly with everyone. Where Judy was blonde and blue eyed, Anne had brown eyes and brown hair and curly hair. She was a fun child, with a wonderful imagination. We all loved it when she told us a dream because you could tell when her imagination took over. How I wish we had had a recorder in the car as she read or told stories to Susan as we traveled.

Peter David “Pete” was born May 27, 1955. Peter was four months old when we went into McCormich seminary in Chicago. We took the children on the El train shortly after moving and from then on he had asthmatic problems and allergies. He was a cute little boy, full of mischief and humor. A teacher told me she would be angry with him and call him to the front of the room and by the time he got there she couldn’t help but smile because he was so charming. Judy and Anne loved playing house with him, carrying him around and calling him Bobby.

Susan Jane “Sue” was born on January 22, 1961. Born on a Sunday so her Daddy could announce in church, “There’s good news today.” Such a pretty baby and the whole family enjoyed taking care of her. She had a mom and two little mothers. I never had any of those fussy times because she was always being held. When she was four months old we let the Black family take her for a few days when we took the others up to a lake. They were good friends and had two young daughters like Judy and Anne. They loved having Sue for a few days. She was such a sweet little girl and fun for all of us.