Although this blog is for the people interested in knowing what is going on with Evelyn here and now, it is also meant to serve the purpose of recording memories and keepsake moments for Evelyn, her children, her children’s children and so on… Our family (the David Larsen family) is big on words. We love pictures but even more than pictures we LOVE recorded stories or thoughts. Growing up I would get so frustrated going through pictures, especially the ones with no writing on them. I always wanted to know who, what, when and where. Of course, I have some recollection of the pictures I was in. Certain outfits I remember, certain visits with family members – David always thinks it’s so funny how much I could tell you about one picture. Things like “oh yeah, that was my favorite outfit”, or “that was the day I got so embarrassed because I wet my pants at school” or “Oh yeah, I was so mad at her that day”. He’s amazed by my memory. In the case that I was there for the picture, yes a picture was worth a thousand words (hehe just ask David) but when looking through my grandparent’s and parent’s photos – it was…err…frustrating. I always wanted to know what the picture was about and WHY it was taken. I wanted to know more. Like, did my mom really love that hat or was she just being silly? Was she really angry in that picture or just didn’t like her picture to be taken? AND seriously, where is that?
One of my favorite past times with my grandpa Fyler was to get out ALL the photo albums and sit down with him for hours going through each and every picture. He would then tell me the stories that the picture could not. It would take hours upon hours just to get through one album. He would tell me about the old Fyler house in Connecticut or the house in Florida – and how he and my grandma spent time fixing it up. He would tell me about all of our heritage, all about his sisters and brothers and their family, how he ended up in Colorado even though he was from Connecticut, or stories from the family house in Florida – all from one picture of the “Florida house”. He could also tell me what couldn’t be seen in the picture. Things like to the left is this or that. To the right is the pool, etc… painting a more accurate picture with words. I loved it!
Another thing I would do with Grandpa is ask him question upon question. “Grandpa, tell me how you met Grandma.” “Grandpa, tell me about your time working for the military and building bombs.” Grandpa, how did you know you wanted to marry Grandma? What did you think the moment you first saw her?” The answers to these questions and the hours of meaningful stories of actual events in the lives of people I loved helped me understand where this family began, and I was so proud to be apart of it! It also developed one of the deepest loves I could have for a person. I had these conversations with all of my grandparents, and sometimes my parents as well. Only ironically my grandparents had better stories to tell and a better memory to tell them too! These are some of my fondest memories and I will never forget the special moments I had with my grandpa. Nor will I forget all the stories he once told. I only wish they were recorded for my children, their children, and on down…
Grandma Fyler was also a good story teller. She and I would spend hours on the couch while she would tell me stories of being a young wife and mom. I appreciated her German insight on it all. Things were just they way they were. No fairy tales just plain old life. She told me stories of how strong her mom was – giving birth in the cornfield and being able to make supper that night. Or how she and her niece were nearly the same age. She would tell me what it was like to be a military wife and how she did what she had to do. She was also grandpa’s greatest supporter. She had four children, a tidy house, woke every morning before anyone else, kept track of all the bills, her kids were clean, fed and happy. That’s just what she had to do. She was a woman of planning and order. On the other hand though, she has the greatest sense of humor. She can find great humor in many situations. Many of our conversations would turn to something hilarious! Whenever I ask her “whatcha been up to?” her response is always, “Oh, I’m still about 5’4” (or however tall she is – you’d think I’d know after years of asking “whatcha up to?”).” too funny! She also had a rule – after 3 yawns it’s time for bed. Another fun story about my grandma and her family is that they are Germans from Russia! That’s a whole post in and of itself. Although, very cool to be able to sit up late to talk about it – until that 3rd yawn anyhow :)
Someone else I would turn to for stories was my grandma Knoll (that was her name then) now we call her grandma Carol. She would spend hours with me also. Only her pictures were in a big chest in no particular order :). She explained to me - “well, in that picture your mom was going through the David Bowie stage and she cute her hair that way to be like him” or “that was at Grandma and Papa Walsh’s house in Illinois when we all went out to visit” or “no, your mom thought that hat was cool. She loved it!” – haha sorry mom, not trying to pick on ya! – She would also tell me what it was like to live in Illinois, or she would tell me what I couldn’t remember about her old house in Lakewood, or about her days working as a volunteer for Volunteers of America. Thankfully, she also moved to the same town my parents did so she and I were able to “make memories” too. She brought me to various places in Vail where we cleaned houses, served the rich, planned parties for the rich and enjoyed their company too! I met so many people tagging along with her. So much of my plethora of experiences came from tagging along with her. There were also things we never missed as a family (that always included grandma Carol and other friends we had – growing up in a small town everyone is family): Eagle Flight days, Strawberry days, Blue Grass Festival (I think that’s what it’s called) with hot air balloons over Vail, 4th of July over Avon lake, 4th of July parade in Vail, New Years in Vail on Bridge street and countless others! Other memories were of my grandma and her friend, Margaret (who was like our aunt) telling us ghost stories in the Glenwood Springs canyon on our way home from a movie with friends. They would try to make it real by locking the doors or rolling down the windows. We knew it was fake but it would get us every time!
Another family member that I did not “know” very well in person but knew so much about after her death was my great grandma Topel. She left journals, kept letters, wrote on pictures, kept beautiful things from the 20’s, 40’s – actually she kept everything! haha. I know because my mom and I went to her home in Illinois and packed it all up when we moved her to a nursing home in Colorado! She also wrote me letter upon letter usually sent with a package of cute clothes. I always looked forward to her letters. They weren’t addressed to me as if I were a child. She explained very “adult” things to me. She sent me very nice things and would explain Illinois fashion and how to properly take care of the gold necklaces, etc… She would tell me her hopes for me, and explain the importance of education. I’ve recently re-read these letters and gleaned many things from them. It also came to my mind that these letters shapes a certain part of me. I was able to piece together certain parts of her personality better too – reading them as an adult. She was a remarkable woman who came from Greece as an orphan. She had many brothers and sisters and did her best to care for them all at a young age. She is probably the most complex out of them all. Or so it would seem because she left the most behind.
Another dear family member that died early on was my great grandma Walsh. She too sent me letters. She also lived in Illinois. I have letters from her for me as a baby up until I was about 8, when she died. She even recorded herself singing, “Mr. Moon Has His Eyes on You” and her reading a story for me to listen to so I would never forget her. I don’t know why, but even today it brings tears to my eyes. I didn’t “know” her very well, but I never doubted she loved me. I’ve read and re-read her letters many times throughout my life. She would tell me of little characteristics I showed during our last visit or things my mom had told her about my development. She would also put fun stickers on the letters. I looked forward to her letters too. And whenever I would talk to her or grandma Topel I would feel so grown-up and I would get the good dizzy feeling that I was so special. You know the one I mean?
Anyhow, I could write a book about each one of my grandparents and great grandparents, and the influence they had on my life. How the things I’ve learned from them have helped shape the things I love about life and the things I hope to share with Evelyn. One of these things is using words and sharing life’s stories. That is my hope for this blog. That is why I want to share my greatest moments being Evelyn’s mommy, and all her achievements. I will share difficulties as well, but most of that is written more privately. My intention is not to brag, but to share all my joy in what Christ has given me in my precious baby and soon babies! This will be a keepsake for her and her siblings in the years to come. I love her deeply and I wish I could share every moment of her life with her later, the reality is I can’t, but I can record some things here.
My hope is to be able to set aside more time to clearly articulate better posts. To share more of her great characteristics and things we are thankful for. I used to be much better at writing in Elementary through High school, and some in college. English was my best subject. I won awards in school for my writing. However, now I would have to say after being so far removed and engrossed in the age of texting and chatting my writing skills are – blah - to say the least. My hope is to use this and my journaling to improve. We’ve also been reading more as a family, which really helps my grammar, etc… On top of that I have a great husband who is so good at correcting my errors :-)
And now I’m apart of a whole new family, and look forward to hearing their many stories as well! All we need is hours upon hours – which tends to be a little hard to come by these days – so keep writing it down for us!
Anyhow, much love to you all. More Evelyn updates to come!
For now – onto some pictures – which I will explain :)
These two are more current. The first is Jeremiah (my brother), me, Grandma and Grandpa Fyler and my cousin Jonathon. The picture was taken on the deck of my grandparent’s home in Meeker, CO – although they moved back to Denver since then.
The second picture is of Grandma Carol with Evelyn after we picked Grandma up from the airport. The picture was taken at our house.
These are older pictures. Obviously. The one on the left is my cousin Victoria and me. Grandma Fyler is in the background. It’s obviously Christmas. I LOVED that dress. Hated the tights but loved the dress. My aunt Cindy curled my hair for me, and it was the first Christmas I realized Santa Claus wasn’t real.
The picture on the right was after my ballet recital. It was the happiest day in my little life up to that point. The flowers were from my Grandma Carol and wonderful family. My grandma had put my hair in curlers the night before. The necklace and sweater were favorites.
The picture on the left is of my brother Jeremiah, my friend Christopher (he lived next door) and me of course! That field was right next to our house. Beyond the field was the Eagle river. We made many many forts all over that field. I really did not like the outfit I was wearing. It was so itchy!
The picture on the right is my birthday party at Pizza Hut in Glenwood Springs. It was a hot spot for our parties. I loved the outfit although it was itchy. The skirt was oh so cute, and that year I got the book, “Bambi” from Margaret.
The picture on the left is my dad, new baby brother (still Jeremiah), and my favorite Raggedy Anne doll. I can’t remember who I got it from. We are in our old trailer probably in Leadville or Edwards, CO. We are sitting in front of the fireplace.
On the right is our family – mom, dad, Grandma and Grandpa Knoll, Jeremiah and me – taken after church near the parking lot.
Picture on the left is Grandma Knoll with us. My hair had been cut due to an unfortunate mishap I had with the scissors. My punishment was to have it all cut! Very cruel I must say :) In the picture we are watching the hot air balloons fly over us! It was always such a big event. My favorite balloon was of the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland. It’s an event we hardly ever missed. There were hundreds of balloons to look at.
The picture on the right is my brother and me with Margaret probably at Flight days or something similar. Probably in Vail actually. Maybe another Blue Grass Balloon festival. Funny thing is I always expected the grass to be blue. I never understood what blue grass had to do with balloons. Also – I LOVED that sweater and the stone-washed jeans, and the clip in my hair! One of my favorite outfits at that time. Margaret was also constantly correcting my grammar while speaking. I do it do David all the time now, drives him nuts. I can always hear it when other people do it. Sometimes I catch myself, but not always.
On the left is my brother, my great grandma Topel (in her healthier days) and me. My grandma Carol took my brother and I on a train ride to Illinois to visit family. We met Gramma Topel at a restaurant. I thought she was so stylish, and I LOVED what I was wearing.
On the right is my brother, my mom and me during the 4th of July parade in Vail. I thought all of us looked fantastic. I love Jeremiah’s outfit, my mom’s dress was beautiful and mine was simply the best. I am holding one of the best inventions ever made – a popple! Oh how I loved mine. Wonder where it went off to?
On the left is – haha – my mom, Papa and Gramma Walsh and my auntie Dana. There is the famous hat.
On the right we are with Grandma Topel at Judy’s house. We had just eaten some yummy Flintstones popsicles!
On the left is dad, Jeremiah, mom, me and Papa. Papa was there for a visit after Grandma Walsh passed away. I remember he missed her so much. The fountain in the back is in Vail. I have many memories there. I don’t remember what was going on. Maybe 4th of July? Either way I remember riding the Vail bus up and down and hitting all our favorite spots. I got my face painted and was trying so hard not to mess it up, and of course I loved that shirt!
On the right is obviously my mom pregnant. That’s all I know – not sure if it’s with me or Jeremiah because there is no date and no writing…erg :) – actually it’s gotta be me if it’s Christmas – mystery solved!
haha – well, Evelyn is up so no time for editing…ironically!