"Snowman" by Tara
I met Tara at our Fall art festival last month
I put my name in for a drawing to win a free book.
I thought, why not, right ?
so I picked out the "How to Make a Snowman" book .
Tara McClintick is the author and owner
over at www. Books By Tara.com.
She is from my area of the Cincinnati suburbia.
Her story is real and touching.
Tara has a son, now 13 years old
with a severe form of autism.
I feel a special link to autism,
not because my family
has been touched by it
but ...
it's a funny little story about the house I grew up in...
you can read on to hear my story'
or you can just go check out
Tara's books and her website
So here is an old photo of my childhood home in Wisconsin
Beloit Wisconsin... in the far south of the state
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| that's Gram Shaughnessy she came to visit us often. |
My dad had this house built for our growing family
when we moved from Michigan to Wisconsin
I was in second grade
and this house was like a dream home to me.
Back then in the 1960s
it was my three sisters and one brother
so we had plenty of room
soon there was two more and then two more.
not twins...I'm just trying to speed this story along.
My parents had
seven girls and three boys
all living in this house by 1972...
and space was getting tight.
luckily the first of my older sister were off to college
then and the space eased up a bit.
...and we would let my little brother sleep out in his tree house
we had a couple of kid built tree houses...
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Always room for more at our big table at the holidays |
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| my sister would find a quiet spot to read |
My Dad built onto the home...
a family room, finished basement ,
a third bathroom, and additional 2 bedrooms
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| lots of football and sports played around the house |
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| Midnight Mass then... Christmas mornings were a toy wonderland |
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| Many first communions this one for my brother Paul was in our home |
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| There is our garden |
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| more eating and our milk dispenser... we drank a whole lot of milk |
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Mum did a whole lot of grocery shopping ! |
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| winters were fun we had a dog, Brandy who just ran loose all the time |
My parents moved from this home in the 1980s
but it will forever be
my childhood home
Today the house is called
The Dutter House
The Dutter House
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The Dutter House was established in memory of Ryan and Kyle Dutter It is a respite care center for children with special needs. Kyle would have called it "Grandma's house", children with special needs receive loving attention and care here Parents get much needed relief from caring for a child with various disabilities, the parent knows that their child is safe comfortable, and happy here. a link to The Dutter House I like to think my Mothers kind Spirit lives on in this home and watches over the kids that need this place now. If you can... buy a book or two from Tara ...another wonderful mother caring for and living with all the joys and hardships of having a child with a special need. Hugs to all the kids that need one - KAT - other books include:  |
12 comments:
how neat that your childhood home now serves so many families who need help! :)
what a wonderful post.The best one I have read all night, beautiful memories,, and a beautiful family!!We were big milk drinkers too!
How special that your childhood home is serving such a special purpose. I just love your pictures. It reminds me so much of the ones we have from our childhood. And I laughed when I saw the bathtub picture! So many times I took to the bathtub when I was a young girl to read in peace and quiet. Not exactly comfortable, but it worked! I have 3 sisters and one brother, and we shared everything back then.
Such a touching story. It makes it difficult to poke fun at the glasses that you all are wearing in your family photo!! lol;) Oops...did I poke fun anyway?? Guess I did!!! lol Nice specs!
btw. Mentioned you in my blog post yesterday. Forgot to email you to let you know. Have a great weekend!
Wow..what a beautiful, heart-warming and touching post..inspirational and magnificent!
HUgs!
victoria
This post really pulls at the heart strings Kathy!!!! very inspirational!!!
Wow, what a fun post! I loved looking at all the photos! The ones with snow remind me of visiting my uncle and aunt in Minnesota when we were kids!That so cool that your old house is now a safe haven for kids! I will check out Taras books for sure, they sound great! Hugs, Deb
Awesome post. So many photos and the story is very inspiring~
That is an amazing story and coincidence. I always love looking at your family photos, and this is such a wonderful selection. I will definitely check out Tara's books.
I love your post!! All these beautiful childhood pictures, but best that your childhood home now serves all these children and families who need it most. I'm certain that your mother's spirit lives on here.
HOW WONDERFUL that your childhood home has become another special place for children! And that your Mom is in some way looking after them . . . loved all your family pictures - there were so many of you!! From an only child, your home looks divine. Thank you for your visit and have a great weekend, xoxo
This is a beautiful post - the photos brought back memories to me, as we are from the same era. What a fabulous family you had...and it is touching that now the house you grew up in is providing respite fore these families.
I'll come back later to read more...time to turn in.
Brenda
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