Life Goes On

May 10, 1957

My baby girl was born today. Everything went well. There weren’t any complications. Sheryll and I have decided to name her Ann, in honor my mother. It’s sad that little Ann won’t ever know her grandmother, but at least Sheryll’s parents are still alive and healthy. Ann will still have a pair of grandparents to enjoy. And she will be spoiled rotten by them for sure, since she’s the only grandchild. Well, baby’s crying. Better go check that out. What a great day. I’m a father. I hardly can believe it.

11/13/38

Mom’s funeral today. It was a really good service. We all appreciated how well put together it was. There were a lot of people that turned up out of the sticks to attend. Put everyone together and we probably tripled the population of that small town. It provided a lot of closure for me. Finally, I’ve stopped crying. I’m going to glue the obituary in here as soon as I can get it printed off.

******

Obituary of Ann Davids Smith

May 10, 1957- November 9, 2038

On Tuesday, November 9, 2038, Ann Davids Smith passed away at the age of 81 in the peace of her home.

Ann was born on May 10, 1957 in Riverbush, Colorado to Matthew and Sheryll (Williams) Davids. After completing high school in the neighboring town of Whitelake, Ann attended Colorado State University, from which she graduated with a general education degree in May of 1981. Ann moved back to Whitelake and taught in the same high school which she had attended. Ann taught there, on and off, for the rest of her life. She met Jeffrey John Smith at a local dance and they were married on October 28, 1983. They raised one son, Matthew, and two daughters, Alice and Grace.

Ann was known to all for her generous spirit. Even after many, many years and many, many students, she never failed to recognize one. Her table was always open to any who might come to her house around dinner time, looking for a meal. She filled many roles in her life, such as daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and teacher.

Ann was preceded in death by her father, Matthew, her mother, Sheryll, and her husband, Jeffrey. She is survived by her three children, Alice, Matthew, and Grace, and nine grandchildren. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 13th, 2038 at the 1st Baptist Church on 2nd and Elm at 1 o’clock p.m.

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4th of July, 1965

Matthew and Sheryll came over for the 4th today. They brought along little Ann. She’s just growing up like a bean sprout. I’ve never seen such a wild, energetic, good-spirited child. All day long she was running around the house, asking me about this and that, wanting to do everything. Just in the few hours she was here today, we made a 4th of July cake, she took the old bike to the corner and back, weeded my vegetable garden, we took a ride around on the riding lawn mower, we fed the chickens, looked at my rock collection, read five picture books, built a pillow fort, set up ten domino tracks, and made dinner. Oh, and I can’t forget about the parade. I thought little Ann would get trampled by the horses or ran over going after the candy. She just ran all over! After dinner, we set off fireworks, and Ann was right in the middle again. She almost lost an eye or finger several times. It was wonderful. Today, I almost forgot that I don’t have John with me anymore. Ann just kept me so active and busy, I scarcely could think of anything else! I love my little Ann. She’s been such a bright spot in my life for these past eight months. She makes John’s loss bearable. Now, I’m her only grandparent, so I get plenty of love and attention. She’s just so cute and adorable and innocent.

Nov 28, 2030

Dear diary,

Today was thanksgiving! It was fun! We went to Grandma Ann’s house! All of the cousins were there! For thanksgiving dinner we had turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, rolls, green beans, cranberry sauce, and lots of other good stuff! My favorite part was the pie! There was pumpkin, apple, strawberry, blueberry, chocolate, cherry, and pecan pie! The pecan pie was my favorite, even though everyone else liked the pumpkin the best. But Grandma said that pecan was her favorite pie! And that it was Grandpa’s favorite too. She said that she wasn’t going to make it this year, since Grandpa was gone and there wouldn’t be enough pecan pie eaters, but had decided to make it in memory of him. She looked happy that I liked the pecan pie so much! That made me happy! Mom says that Grandma has been super sad since Grandpa died. She told me I did a good job of cheering up Grandma. Today was a really great day!

April 24, 1975

I’m waiting for Ann to get back from the Prom. Timothy Rigby took her. She’s been pretty excited. After helping me out with the morning chores, she went to her room to “get ready.” After she was in there for four hours, I was ready to go and see if she was doing alright, but Sheryll told me that it’s normal. She asked me if I knew how long it took for her to get ready before our first date. Six hours. And she says that she rushed. I love my Sheryll, but I still do not understand women. Not at all. Anyway, Ann said that she’d be back by 1, so she should be back anytime now. She looked beautiful when she left. Her dress, makeup, and hair were perfect. Of course, when I told her that, she didn’t want to hear it. My baby girl has grown into a woman. Oh, here she is.

It’s about an hour and half later now. Ann came rushing in with tears streaming down her face and slammed the door, before rushing to her room. Outside, I just heard a truck driving away very quickly. I hate boys. I hate them so much. Especially when they mistreat my Ann. I was able to calm her down. It just took a while. Apparently, Timothy didn’t pay any attention to her at the dance. He didn’t dance with her even once. She just sat in the corner watching him flirt and dance with the more popular girls all night. Near the end, he walked out with a different girl, and she ran after him, not wanting to be stranded without a ride. She walked around the corner just in time to see him in a very passionate kiss with this girl. I’d punch the stupid kid’s face in if I knew that Sheriff Darrel would let me get away with it. Ann just backed away, before either of them noticed her. Timothy walked back into the dance long enough to grab Ann. On the way to our house, he told her that he had never liked her. That some of his friends had put him up to it.

Now Ann says she’s done with men for forever. I hope that isn’t true, but if it is, I can’t blame her. That Timothy did a real bad one on her. This world is hardly fair isn’t it. Sheryll’s mother is one of the sweetest women that I know. But she lost her husband way too early and much too unexpectedly. Ann is just like her, and deserves a really nice date to prom, but then this. I guess that’s life. Not much you can do about it. Not much at all. Although I will have a talk with Timothy’s parents, to let them know just what kind of boy they’ve raised.

4/28/2008

Tonight was awful. Horrendous. Terrible. Horrible. Sickening. I don’t know how I’m such an idiot. I should have listened more to Mom. She was right all along. But I didn’t think that was possible. I thought that Ric loved me. I really did. We had dated for almost seven months now. Prom tonight was just supposed to be another date. Another event to strengthen our relationship. The first time I brought Ric home, Mom told me he looked like a snake to her. A snake that would lie and cheat until the best chance for betrayal came. Mom was so right. Ric is a snake. He took me to the dance. He “accidentally” spilled water on my dress...THREE TIMES! And every time, he laughed with everyone in front of me. The whole time he never even asked me to dance. Finally, I was done, and I told him to take me home. During the entire drive, he told me about Jessica. How he had never really loved me. How he loved Jessica and they were going to get married. I should have seen it coming. I could kill Ric right now. I absolutely could. Mom was telling me that the same thing happened to her. I can’t imagine this happening to Mom; she’s just so perfect. If it happened to Mom, and she turned out fine and married happily, then I guess I’ll be alright too. Thank goodness for Mom. Without her, I don’t know how I would have been able to deal with tonight. I really don’t know. She’s my guardian angel. I love her to death. And I know that love is true. It won’t ever change.

5-21-1981

Graduation ceremony was today. Ann spoke. It was a really great speech. Finally, after these four years studying together, I understand why she never would go out with me. She started talking about why she had decided to go and study at the university. She explained that her life plans were flipped upside down after a really bad prom date. After that, she decided not to marry and follow a traditional life as a mother, but to be a teacher. A really great speech. Just wish I had been able to convince her to go out on a date with me just once. Ann is a really amazing woman. She’s going to do great things as a teacher, even if it is in a small, middle-of-no-where town. I hope someday she does find a man who will treat her right and who she can love.

May 22, 2002

I’m getting too old. I went to Alice’s high school graduation today. It took the wind out of me. There were a lot of old faces there. A lot of new ones as well. Alice really takes after her mother. I remember when Ann spoke at her college graduation. Full of spirit and spite for the male race. Alice is so much like her. I guess that’s why I love her so much. Ann looked so proud the entire time. The exact image of a strutting mother hen. It’s great to see her so alive. I treasure every moment I still have with her, but I do miss Sheryll. Ann takes good care of me, but it isn’t the same. I don’t have much time to wait, I suppose. My health is fading. I hope it won’t be too hard on Ann. She’s had too much happen to her.

7-Aug-1982

I found the love of my life, journal. Yes, I really did. I know what you’re thinking. “This simpleton found love? There’s no way. I’m the only thing that he talks to. He doesn’t even have the courage to talk to a woman, much less fall in love with one!” Well, you’re wrong, journal. I met her. Ann Davids. You remember the dance I told you about? The one that I wasn’t sure I was going to? I went to it! I mostly sat in the corner, but at one point, I got up to get a drink. That’s when I bumped into Ann Davids. Literally bumped into her. She was backing away from a group, and she backed right into me. She apologized. I apologized. We both laughed. Somehow, for some reason, a slow song came on at that moment, and I asked her to dance. After a lot of awkward silence, we finally got to talking, and spent the rest of the night together. It was the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me. We’re going out tomorrow night too. And the night after that. In fact, I do believe I asked her out for every single night between now and Christmas. Isn’t love just wonderful?

14-Feb-1983

She said yes! I can’t believe it! I’m the happiest man in the world! Best Valentine’s day ever!

28-Oct-1983

We’re married. I know you didn’t believe me when I told you more than a year ago that I found the love of my life. Well, journal, what do you have to say now?

19-Apr-1984

Ann’s pregnant! I’m going to be a father! The doctor says it’s too soon to know anything for sure, but he guesses the delivery will be in late December.

25-Dec-1984

What do you know? We got ourselves a very special gift for this Christmas. The best gift that I’ve received since Ann. Alice was born, healthy and sound, today. What a blessing! I’m a father! I could shout it from the roof! There can’t be anything better in the world than this!

New Year’s Eve, 1984

Alice is finally asleep. Jeffrey and I are both just awake waiting for midnight. He just looked up from across the room where he’s also journaling and smiled at me. I love him to death. I never imagined that I would be married and have a child. Just three years ago, I was so dead set against it. It was a miracle that I found Jeffrey. After the incident with Timothy, I had sworn off men. If I had been more catholic, I think I would have become a nun. I chose the next best thing: a school teacher. I love teaching, but I love Jeffrey and Alice more. I can just imagine how great it’s going to be. Jeffrey wants to have two more and I’ve agreed. Just imagine. All of the school events, graduations, dances, marriages, and grandchildren. Life hasn’t been easy or particularly fun, but I wouldn’t have traded this for anything. I’m getting super reminiscent. I guess that’s how it goes when a new year starts. This year probably won’t be easy going either, but I’m sure it’ll be worth it as well. The years may be hard or good. Whatever happens, it’s worth it. Life is good.