Danny Merrell’s Discovery Leads to a Strange ‘Throwback Thursday’

As I started to write this blog, it stunned me to realize that it has been 5 months since my mom passed away back in January.  It has been quite the process going through all her belongings.  We've made two trips so far to the Family Crisis Center of East Texas Thrift Store with carloads of nearly new clothing. To her, pretty much everything had value...jewelry she hadn't worn for decades, scores of Sucret's tins full of buttons, newspaper clippings, and bags and bags of hosiery.

Just a few days ago, I had the chance to go through some more of her possessions and I found something from my past that I thought would lend itself perfectly for a 'Throwback Thursday' post.  As you can see in the picture, she saved the card from the hospital in Lockhart, Texas (which closed down many years ago) announcing my birth and statistics. I weighed over 8 pounds and my mom was in labor for over 20 hours, which may explain why I was an only kid.

There's the bracelet spelling out my sir name which I wore on my wrist. Plus, still gathered in the tissue are locks of hair from my first haircut.  Man, I wish I could replant that and grow hair that was actually black again.  Actually, beggars can't be choosers, I'd take any regrowth of hair, no matter the color.

Finally, there it is, still clasped as it was on that day on August 7th, 1964, my umbilical stump.  I excitedly showed my kids the remnants of their dad's 'belly button' from over 50 years ago, complete with stains of blood.  Needless to say, there wasn't quite as much fervor to their reactions.

So, there you go, my contributions to a Throwback Thursday.

Thanks, Mom...miss ya bunches.