The Jacket

Leah Wells Colyer, Eldred (Curly) Wells, Karl Duffield -Portland, OR

When I was visiting my Aunt Leah, I had the opportunity to go through a lot of family pictures.
This one is of my Aunt Leah, my Uncle Curly, and my cousin, Karl Duffield. This was taken in Portland, Oregon. I am assuming they were all visiting with my Aunt Mae and Uncle Jim Medlock, who lived in Portland.

It is a cool picture of them all enjoying the ocean.

But this picture is dear to me because of the story my Aunt Leah told me about the jacket she is wearing.

She told me that when my mother gave birth to my sister Pat, it was a hard birth. It took a toll on Mom, and she was very weak.
Dad asked Leah if she could come stay and help take care of Mom and the baby for a while until Mom got her strength back.

Dad wanted to pay her for her help, but she refused. So my Dad went out and bought her this nice western jacket in appreciation for all of her help. I am not sure, but it looks like it is wool.

I had never heard this story before. Mom had told me that she had pretty long labors with both my sister and me, but I didn’t know she needed help afterwards, at least for Pat.
What a sweet story. It shows my dad’s love for my mom, by reaching out to get help for her. It shows the love of Leah for her sister. And it shows my dad’s heart for my aunt Leah.
Leah told me that my dad was like a big brother to her. Dad told me many times that Leah was very special to him. He said that after Mom died, Leah told him she would always be his little sister and he would always be a part of Mom’s family. His eyes were warm with tears as he told me that.

This picture will be in a frame, somewhere in my house, and always in my heart. ❤️