Dear Steve,
Thank you so much for replying! As I said before I have for years wondered about you and your well being. For whatever reason you touched my wee heart when I was a child and I never forgot you. I don't remember the address of our home on Merkle but I do know our house was/is gray and at that time we lived between the Whiteman's and the Crider's..the Jacob's lived directly across the street and your home would have been perhaps a door or two away from the Jacob's. I recall you coming to our home and swinging on our front porch swing with us..I also recal a time when at the end of the school year for you at Oakland Heights you invited me to go w you to pick up your grade card. We were walking w my brother when I spotted a boy that had been unkind to me and I turned and ran home crying...you had no idea what had caused me to cry and run home. I also, in later years (I was 17), saw you when I was working at a resturaunt in Marion called the Royal Buffet. You were sitting at the little food bar drinking, I think coffee & working on a school (College) assignment. You were practicing, I believe, the writing of Japanese..or another form of asian writing. We spoke but I don't recall if we acknowledge knowing each other. But, I knew you..you smiled and said hi.
I do remember after hearing about your grandparent's no longer being able to care for you and you having to go to a children's home how sad that made me feel...We were no longer living on Merkle but Ann Jacobs and I were friends so I knew a little of what was happening to you. I am so sorry to now know how sad your childhood was. I did not know your mother had passed away when you were five...such a tender age.. You were and I am sure remain a very sweet person. The very fact you have done a complete turn around in your career, after having such an exciting one, and are now working at an orphanage makes my heart soar...you are doing something I have always dreamed of doing. However, in remembering your smile and the kindness I saw in your eyes, I am very sure the little ones in your charge are experiencing a gentleness they have never known.
And yes I remember your grandfathers garden!! If it is the one I am thinking of it was on the corner of our street...and I think I remember him wearing bib overhalls..is that right?
He grew tall beautiful green stalks of corn.. Ye gads it has been a FEW YEARS..like 57 because I am now 62.
I know this all sounds goofy but it is all true...I have often wondered about you and your well being....my children remember me talking of you as does my brother and mother and of course my husband. I pray you are happy and well. I want you to know that you have never been forgotten. I cannot explain any of this other than to say what I have said thus far.
I hope you stay in touch. Maybe a few pictures would help..I believe there are are several of you with us... I will check next time I am in Marion...I am over there at least once a week helping my mother remain independent...! I wish I could recall a Burt Riley but, I do not. I am glad you two have remained close friends. I too have a dear school friend that now lives in Arizona and we too have remained close.
Do write back and it's ok if nothing I have written jogs your memory. I am just happy I found you and that you are OK..!!
Janis Snyder Tangeman
PS...What instruments did you play in the band and orchestra?
...
Dear Janis
I really don't have a very good memory from those days. Where exactly did you live?
We lived at 790 Merkle Ave.
My childhood was difficult since my mother died when I was 5 then when I was 15 my grandparents got sick and I was sent away to a children's home in Indiana for one year.I later returned to finish school at Harding while living with foster parents on the east side.
The most things I remember is my grandfather 's beautiful gardens. My best friend was Burt Riley, we are still close today. He still lives in Ohio.I also remember playing in the band and orchestra . I also played football for Edison. I was fairly shy in some things and not so much in others.
I am probably the person of whom you are thinking.
Sincerely ,
Steve Dawson
