My name is Shirley (Trombley), and lived in Massachusetts. I had a brother by the name of George T Trombley. We were born 10 months apart; George was the older one. George started kindergarten at age 5 and was happy in school until February 1952. As many children, he came home from school one day with the measles. My father wasn't worried about it because all kids got the measles and got better. However, many families did not know how serious it can get. My parents were one of those families.
I was only 4 at the time and some people do not believe me when I say I have complete recall of the night my brother died. However, I do remember in detail. I also remember my first birthday party at one. I asked my mother what happened to the low high chair that she had for me. I described the high chair in detail, but she had no memory of it. So, I let it go. A number of years later, my aunt was moving from her house to a small apt. and needed to thin down her memories. As my mother and I sat at her kitchen table, she brought over a box of pictures and asked us if we wanted any of them because if we didn't, she was going to pitch them. As my mother and I looked through the pictures, I found a picture of me on my first birthday. I point the unusual high chair to my mother saying, "That's the table I was asking about!" My mother was surprised that I remembered the table because she had forgotten all about it. This high chair could be used as a high chair or folded back, became a low table with a seat in the middle of the table. I remember being unhappy because after the people sang Happy Birthday to me, all the kids ran off to play and I wanted to play also. No one was looking, so I reach across the table grabbing the other side and pulled myself out of the seat. The plan was to roll off the table and go play with the others. However, as I rolled, I fell from the table. I was crying, but everyone thought it was because I was hurt. Truth was, I got caught and couldn't go play.
I was about 2 when my parents bought my brother a tricycle for his birthday. I wanted a ride on it and had a fit because my brother would not let me ride. I remember my mother asking George to let me have a turn. I felt so happy my mother was on my side. Then I found out I couldn't reach the peddles. Mom pushed me around for a few minutes and then let my brother have his tricycle back. After that, I would sit in my stroller and admire my brother ability to ride that bike.
I have no idea why I can remember these things. Maybe it was because I lost my only sibling. However, I am grateful these memories.
I am now living in Ohio, married for 42 year. I have had 2 children now grown with 2 children each. All four grandchildren are boys. Each with different personalities. I love them all.
My mother was my hero. She lived 88 year and always had a smile on her face. She never liked to bother people to do things for her, yet she would do anything for anyone. I believed she loved my father; however, after my brother died, my father was never the same. He became an alcoholic, and grieved for my brother until the day he died. His favorite saying was, "We had a girl for you and a boy for me. I lost my boy, but you still have your girl." I know that he loved me, but much of my childhood after my brothers was trying to please my Dad. I don't think I ever succeeded. He died at 65 years old. Mom lived through the grieving process, but always felt the lost. I know this because my brother died in Feb, and my mother would go into a depression each Jan-March and then pull out of it. Because of this, my husband and I would buy my mother an airline ticket to Florida to visit her sister. She got out more, the sun helped with the depression, and her mind was kept busy and off the time of year.
My dream is to move to Myrtle Beach, SC some day and live where there is now snow and a lot of beach. I love the water and hate to cold and snow. The only LARGE drawback is leaving the area where my daughter and son live. However, if we get the right house, there will always be a place for them to vacation, and I know they will always have us as a guest once and a while.

My name is Shirley (Trombley), and lived in Massachusetts. I had a brother by the name of George T Trombley. We were born 10 months apart; George was the older one. George started kindergarten at age 5 and was happy in school until February 1952. As many children, he came home from school one day with the measles. My father wasn't worried about it because all kids got the measles and got better. However, many families did not know how serious it can get. My parents were one of those families.
I was only 4 at the time and some people do not believe me when I say I have complete recall of the night my brother died. However, I do remember in detail. I also remember my first birthday party at one. I asked my mother what happened to the low high chair that she had for me. I described the high chair in detail, but she had no memory of it. So, I let it go. A number of years later, my aunt was moving from her house to a small apt. and needed to thin down her memories. As my mother and I sat at her kitchen table, she brought over a box of pictures and asked us if we wanted any of them because if we didn't, she was going to pitch them. As my mother and I looked through the pictures, I found a picture of me on my first birthday. I point the unusual high chair to my mother saying, "That's the table I was asking about!" My mother was surprised that I remembered the table because she had forgotten all about it. This high chair could be used as a high chair or folded back, became a low table with a seat in the middle of the table. I remember being unhappy because after the people sang Happy Birthday to me, all the kids ran off to play and I wanted to play also. No one was looking, so I reach across the table grabbing the other side and pulled myself out of the seat. The plan was to roll off the table and go play with the others. However, as I rolled, I fell from the table. I was crying, but everyone thought it was because I was hurt. Truth was, I got caught and couldn't go play.
I was about 2 when my parents bought my brother a tricycle for his birthday. I wanted a ride on it and had a fit because my brother would not let me ride. I remember my mother asking George to let me have a turn. I felt so happy my mother was on my side. Then I found out I couldn't reach the peddles. Mom pushed me around for a few minutes and then let my brother have his tricycle back. After that, I would sit in my stroller and admire my brother ability to ride that bike.
I have no idea why I can remember these things. Maybe it was because I lost my only sibling. However, I am grateful these memories.
I am now living in Ohio, married for 42 year. I have had 2 children now grown with 2 children each. All four grandchildren are boys. Each with different personalities. I love them all.
My mother was my hero. She lived 88 year and always had a smile on her face. She never liked to bother people to do things for her, yet she would do anything for anyone. I believed she loved my father; however, after my brother died, my father was never the same. He became an alcoholic, and grieved for my brother until the day he died. His favorite saying was, "We had a girl for you and a boy for me. I lost my boy, but you still have your girl." I know that he loved me, but much of my childhood after my brothers was trying to please my Dad. I don't think I ever succeeded. He died at 65 years old. Mom lived through the grieving process, but always felt the lost. I know this because my brother died in Feb, and my mother would go into a depression each Jan-March and then pull out of it. Because of this, my husband and I would buy my mother an airline ticket to Florida to visit her sister. She got out more, the sun helped with the depression, and her mind was kept busy and off the time of year.
My dream is to move to Myrtle Beach, SC some day and live where there is now snow and a lot of beach. I love the water and hate to cold and snow. The only LARGE drawback is leaving the area where my daughter and son live. However, if we get the right house, there will always be a place for them to vacation, and I know they will always have us as a guest once and a while.