Children of WWII

\

Last weekend I took my father to a “100 Years of Fashion” festival at a Eskaton Senior Living facility in Gold River, CA.  He was thrilled to see the decades of fashion, information on the Titanic, the books and he especially enjoyed the Speakeasy where he had a sip of red wine.  But, most of all he LOVED hearing the music from WWII.  He spent nearly an hour in the music room tapping his foot and drumming his fingers to the beat.  It has been years since I have seen a smile on Dad’s face that went all the way up to his eyes.

When Dad and I were in the car heading home I asked what he liked best about the festival.  He smiled big and said “The girls and the music.”  He went on to explain, “When I was a kid my brothers were all drafted.  It was just Mom, Dad, Grandpa and me at home.  Every night we would listen to the radio when our chores were done.  Mom had a fire in the wood stove and we would relax and enjoy the music.  For that hour each night life was peaceful.  Today reminded me of the good ole days.”

Every Saturday night on PBS at 6:00 pm my dad watches Lawrence Welk.  Watching that program is the best part of his week.  This week “Sister Swing” trumped Mr. Welk.  My dad was born in 1931 and this March he turns 85.