The "Hello, Dolly: A Journey Back In Time" Story

It was an ordinary day, I had just returned from visiting my mom. She was in the summer music show that was held at Moravian Manor in Lititz, PA. The place was packed. Most of the residents were in attendance as well as the staff of Moravian Manor and about 40 guests. I was considered a guest. Mom is in the choir of about a dozen people at the retirement home and just loves singing. Today's presentation dealt with songs from her era that were titled with a person's name. "Mame," "I'm Just Wild About Harry," "Hello Dolly" and so on. With every song they had a skit or presentation that went with the song. Most all skits were done by staff members, but when the choir sang "Hello Dolly," mom hopped off her chair and began serenading around the front of the room in her long dress and bright red hat. She was having a ball. Then she decided to head down the center aisle and show off for the rest of the people in the back. Everyone was clapping for her and she was thoroughly enjoying it. My mom, the ham! Since she moved to Moravian Manor about three years ago, it has been an up and down journey. From the nursing unit to assisted living to personal care then back again to nursing and now in personal care once more. Mom loves people. She loves children. She loves to interact with everyone. When she started to get confused and forgetful, she struggled. A few different medicines didn't seem to help and then ..... a new one was tried and viola .... the Mom we all knew was back again. Painting, knitting, talking with friends and loving the children. She will be 89 years old soon. She's had a full life. She was born in August of 1922; Dorothea Elizabeth Cochran. Her father, William, my Grandpap, was a farmer and then went to work for Armstrong Cork Company while her mother, Anna, my Grandmaw, ran the house. She had a sister, Virginia, who was born 5 years after mom and then another sister who was born in 1942 whose name is Lois. As a student at Edward Hand Junior High School she played field hockey and was part of the county 7th grade championship team. While a junior in high school she met her sweetheart, Paul. He had graduated the year before and had dated most of her friends. She was last in line, but captured the prize. She would ride the bus to school and pass where Paul worked every day. He was always in the doorway to wave to her. He would walk a few miles almost every day to visit with her. Mom's first job while still in high school was in the McCrory's Department Store in downtown Lancaster. She would sit on a chair on the counter and salespeople would use foot treatments, stockings, and corn and mole pads on her to demonstrate how to their products. After graduation she worked for Hamilton Watch Company, also in Lancaster, putting watches together on the assembly line. In the early 1940s, Paul, my dad, was drafted into the army, but was given a stateside assignment. He would come home often to visit mom. Finally in 1943 they were married. Mom continued to live at her home, since dad was still in the service. In 1944 I came along. Dad was notified, but didn't make it back in time for the delivery. Mom and I continued to live on Prince St., but now I had an instant friend in my mom's new sister Lois who was just 21 months older than I was. When dad came home from the Army, we moved in with his mother on Pine Street until the family finally moved to the east end of the city, with an apartment over a barber shop. Dad went back to work at Meiskey's Jewelry Store and mom and I were stayed at home where she washed and ironed laundry for a job. We always had a summer vacation and those are fond memories I have of my childhood. A few years year later we moved to N. Queen St., near the Lancaster Train Station and in 1949 my brother Steve was born. It wasn't until we were both in high school that mom went to back work. She worked first at Longenecker's Drug Store and then at the Lancaster County Courthouse, working for the Sheriff. Mom and dad never traveled much except for trips to the beach, bus trips and a cruise one time. Mom's love of children never wandered and when grand children started to arrive in 1971, she was excited. Mom and dad lived on the same block of Janet Ave. that Carol and I did and were constant babysitters. She never once said a bad word about any of her grand children. She now has a new generation of great grand children that she can love. Carol and I have three grandchildren and my brother Steve and his wife Kathy have two grandchildren. Mom is in heaven when she gets to see them. In 1983 mom and dad celebrated 50 years of marriage. We had a party for them in Mt. Joy, PA and it was hard to limit the guest list. They had so many friends. Mom is still able to enjoy life and her family. She still misses my dad who died a little over three years ago. Three years ago when she turned 85 we celebrated with a big cake and 85 candles. Three of her grandkids got to help her blow out the candles. Carol and I recently had her and her sisters for an evening meal and they got to reminisce about the times on Prince Street. A big birthday party is in line for the 27th of the month and mom will once again get to display her outgoing personality. Birthday cake for all the residents of Moravian Manor is in order. She can hardly wait! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - photos from the top are: Mom as "Dolly" with me, newspaper article proclaiming her team champs, Mom's graduation photo, Mom and Dad while he was in the service, Mom's wedding photo from the newspaper, Mom in the wagon with her sister Lois pulling and me pushing, Mom and Dad and me at Atlantic City, 50th Wedding Anniversary - Steve and Kathy on the left with Dad and Carol and me on the right with Mom, Mom at her 85th birthday party with Caden, Courtney, and Camille, Mom's sisters Lois on the left and Virginia.