July 21, 1955
It was a hot afternoon in August when Elizabeth was visited by her niece Jen.
"Hi Aunt Elizabeth!" Jen smiled, hugging her aunt.
"Jen, Honey, come in." Elizabeth smiled at the 18-year old.
Jen did so. "I have some things for my sweet little cousin."
"Oh Jen, this baby is so spoiled. Thank you so much!"
Jen chuckled. "Yeah I guess everyone is going all out for you, Uncle Drew, Judy and the baby. Since Judy and this baby are such miracles." Tears stung Jen's eyes.
Elizabeth was choked up as well. "I know." She whispered. "I don't know what I did to deserve such blessings. The Lord has been good to us."
Jen swallowed back a knot in her throat. "I just love you Aunt Elizabeth, you're so amazing."
Elizabeth hugged her niece. Jen let out a little sob.
"Sweetheart, what's wrong?" Elizabeth asked.
"It's just for so many years Dad, Mom, and all my siblings and I have prayed for you and Uncle Drew to have a baby. We almost came to the conclusion that 'well Uncle Drew and Aunt Elizabeth just aren't meant to have kids'. But now, you've had a beautiful daughter and another child will be here any day. I'm just so happy for you."
Tears streamed down Elizabeth's face. She hugged Jen again.
Soon the talk shifted to the coming months.
"Big things are coming your way this Fall." Elizabeth smiled.
"Yeah," Jen said, forcing a smile.
"Well, you are excited aren't you Honey? You're gonna be an elementary teacher. If I could do it, anyone can."
"It's not that." Jen said.
Elizabeth squeezed Jen's hand.
"It's leaving everyone here." Joy whispered.
"I know it's not always easy to leave. But remember, you're only an hour away. You'll be home practically every weekend."
Jen smiled.
"Why don't you talk to your Aunt Mary Ellen and Aunt Joy? I wasn't very old at the time, but I remember it was SO HARD on your Aunt Joy to watch your Aunt Mary Ellen leave for school. Another time that was hard for the both of them was when your Aunt Mary Ellen got married the first time. Joy didn't want to let her go."
"Aunt Mary Ellen and Uncle Curt." Jen said quietly.
"Do you remember your Uncle Curt at all, Jen?"
"He was the same age as Daddy." Jen smiled.
"Yep, they were both born in 1916. Curt was actually a few months older than your daddy. "
"I remember how he would sometimes offend people, even Aunt Mary Ellen, and she has TOUGH skin."
Elizabeth laughed out loud. "Curt never held back, that's for sure!"
"I remember the day Dad and Mom were over at Grandpa and Grandma's house. Uncle Jim Bob brought a telegram for Mary Ellen. Grandpa John read it to the whole family. Everyone just cried. I didn't completely understand what was going on. They just told me…" she got a catch in her throat. "They told me…" she put her head in her hands.
Elizabeth hugged Jen again. "I'm sorry Honey."
Jen sniffled. "They told me Uncle Curt wasn't ever coming home." Jen began to sob.
Elizabeth started crying too.
"I remember being so sad. First my would-be Uncle GW, then Great-Grandpa Zeb died, then Uncle Curt."
"I know." Elizabeth cried. "It was a rough time. I'm so glad we're a close family to get through times like that."
"Me too." Jen said.
Elizabeth went to the refrigerator and got the pitcher of tea out.
"Open your gifts." Jen smiled.
"You don't mind if I do it in front of you?"
"I WANT to see your reaction." Smiled Jen.
Elizabeth opened the box. "Oh Jen, they're beautiful! Did you make them?"
"Yep, Mom showed me. I made one blue and one pink, so you have one either way. Just don't go and have twins on me, Aunt Elizabeth!"
Elizabeth laughed. "Well if I do, I'll make sure I have one of each so then we're set."
"There you go!" Jen laughed.
July 25, 1955
On the evening of July 25, while Drew and Elizabeth were sitting in the living room, Elizabeth went into labor.
Drew quickly called the doctor. He then called Jen because she had volunteered to stay with Judy.