Friday, September 14, 2012

I Didn't Get My Memory From Her

As I was paying a bill online for my mother this morning and giving her the confirmation number, she asked the date. When I told her "September 14th," her laser sharp memory kicked into gear.

"65 years ago today, I started working for the phone company in New Orleans. 820 Poydras Street...Yep... 4 p.m."

I laughed and made a crack about her memory. She would work for Ma Bell for 42 years.

Just now, I was cleaning off a bookshelf and noticed a photo album my mother had given me after her retirement. Normally, I just dust the album and move on... but the cover was coming off and I noticed that mother had some papers tucked behind the cover photo. I found her birth certificate... which could be a whole other blog post... and her graduation announcement. Which made me wonder what was inside.  As I moved on through all of Mother's favorite photos of herself across her lifetime, I found this:

This is the scrap of paper she wrote her report to work instructions on 65 years ago. And the salary of $29.00 a week? That was considered good pay back then.

Mom is 89, healthy and clearly sharp as a tack! It's days like this, I wish I were more like her.

10 comments:

The Daily Pip said...

What an amazing find! Glad your mom is doing so well!

Your pal, Pip

The Daily Pip said...

What an amazing find! Glad your mom is doing so well!

Your pal, Pip

Snowbrush said...

Which leads me to ask where your mother lives?

CreekHiker / HollysFolly said...

Snow, After she retired, she moved from McComb to Baton Rouge.

rottrover said...

Wonderful post, Holly.

Millie and Walter said...

How amazing that not only you stumbled on that paper, but your mom saved it all these years. Even more amazing is that she had all the info correct!

Cindy

Snowbrush said...

"After she retired, she moved from McComb to Baton Rouge."

I didn't think she was in CA, but this post got me curious. You might recall that my father did move to Oregon, and he was very happy here, but then he never did like Mississippi.

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

How fun to find these treasures! Our Mom wishes she still had her Mom here too.

Woos - Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning

Raising Addie said...

That is so neat!

Your mom is truly blessed with great health and a sharp mind.

I started tracking our family genealogy last year and have come across some neat things. I really love old pictures.

Thank you for sharing :)

Lots of Luv & Kisses
Addie, Lucie and Hailey

Maggie Mae and Max said...

What a wunderful treasure you found. We are reading dis post on our grandmas 85th birthday, her was a nurse and still knows her stuff too! Mom is always amazed at what grandma still remembers. :)

Woofs and Licks,
Maggie Mae and Max