I don't believe in accidents.

Jan 5-6, 2017

Finally here in Costa Mesa, Calif. for my Nephew's wedding.  This is the only schedule that has not changed and the only timeline I had for the journey. 

I started yesterday by calling to get my electric hooked up.  Remember I couldn't get my plug to work so I left it outside under the box.  It rained all night, was still raining and very muddy.  I opened the window when Jack came (The electrician for the Fair Grounds) and showed him where I left the plug, he simply took it to another box and WAL-LAH, electricity! (I was still in my robe hanging out the window and didn't have to get out in the rain, woopee!)

Then he saw the Shaklee magnetic sign on the cab of my RV and asked about it.  It turned out that his parents had been in Shaklee years ago, and he thought Shaklee was out of business.  He had fond memories and I gave him some samples and the product guide so he could get caught up. 

I watched as he got stuck with his golf cart in the mud.  I gave him my rubber "welcome mat" to put under the tire and it worked to get him out of that hole but it was too muddy to get him out of the next, so he had to call someone with a pick up truck to tow him out of the mud.  It was my morning entertainment.  Better than TV and I don't believe in accidents. 

Because of the amount of time he spent by my window, I had time to gather information for him and I got his, so I could send him a Health Assessment.  He knew Jesus, so the most important thing was taken care of.

OK, I prepared the gift I had for my Nephew.  I have a 126 year old (Buckskin bottom) Nursing Rocker chair that my Great Grandfather made for my Grandmother for her Wedding day, Jan 6, 1891 (the same day as my Nephew's wedding today).  I will share the story:

NURSING ROCKER STORY

By Lonna Swann

Jan 6, 2017

I used to be a tree and a Buck deer.  I was born when Monroe Larkins, (son of William A and Rachael Larkins, both pioneers to Oregon in 1845) shot the deer, found the tree, cut it down, fashioned the wood, put me together and called me a "Nursing Rocker".  My purpose was to be the place where my new owner, Olena May (Orem) Larkins would sit, rock and nurse her 6 children that she eventually had. I was born for the occasion of my new owner's marriage to Abraham Lincoln Larkins on Jan. 6, 1891 in Mollala, Oregon.

I have traveled quite a bit since I retired.  My first trip was further South in Oregon in 1955, after my first owner died.  I was given to the youngest child of Olena,  Alma Mary (Larkins) Lett.   She was the last child I rocked, I miss her, she was such a happy baby.   She lived with her husband, Orlin Carl Lett in Broadbent, Oregon which was further south in Oregon, (about 220 miles). 

I stayed with them and their two daughters until they sold the farm in Broadbent, around 1965.  I then traveled to Southern California to live with the youngest child, Lonna Kay Lett until she decided to drive around the world on some crazy trip and left me in a friend's storage for over a year.  I didn't like that, it was hot and stuffy most of the time and dark.  One day the Lady who had the storage came and got me and wrapped me up and sent me on a long trip across the USA to Washington DC on a Greyhound Bus.  It was bumpy and dark again, once in a while, I could see daylight as my neighbors were taken away and new ones came.   When I arrived, they took me out of the Bus and put me in a holding area.  What next?  The next day, I was surprised and happy to see my newest owner, Lonna, again.  She seemed to be glad to see me too, and treated me well most of the time. 

There was a day when she soaked me in paint remover because she said I was an ugly yellowish-green color.  I had gotten used to the color which I had since I was born, but when I saw the natural color back, I think I like it better.  Somewhere in the years, I lost one of the slats in my back but she didn't seem to mind. 

I was always given a place of honor, displaying me like she was proud of me.  I moved with her 3 times and then one day, she put me back into storage.  I was upset because I had awful memories of the first time. 

After 5 months of that place Lonna came back and got me.  I was so happy!  I found out that she had sold her house and bought a RV Motor Home to go full time, and she was taking me with her!  I was so happy because a lot of my friends and furniture had been given away and I never saw them again.  She had a special place for me, (although the RV seemed very small compared to the house), it was on her bed!  Wow!, that was an honor, although I had to travel upside down, it was better that being left in storage! 

She just kept driving and stopping then driving and stopping, on and on.  Then, one day, I overheard her say that she was going to her Sister's Son, Christoph's's wedding and she was going to give me to Christoph and Lynn for a Wedding present.  Wow, another wedding!  I remember the first one, and I was the guest of honor, I was so excited.  "What would this one be like?"  I had been in retirement for many years, "would I be able to function in my purpose again as a "Nursing Rocker", like the first time?"  The rest of the travel was caught up in anticipation of the Wedding , so time flew by.

I am too big to be wrapped!  WHAT!  I found out that I won't be at the Wedding!  I was so disappointed.  Lonna took pictures of me and gave the pictures to them, but I did find out that she is taking me to Oregon with her in the RV, to their house in Bend and I will get to meet Christoph and Lynn then.  I will miss being at the wedding but I am looking forward to meeting them.  I understand that they are old and already have grown children.  I was disappointed that I couldn't be a "Nursing Rocker" again.  Maybe when they are through with me, they will give me to one of their Children.  I just keep getting passed around, but it is all in the family and they seem to love me, so I guess that is OK.

********************************

Well, last night I got to meet the McLaughlin family, and Lynn (The Bride).  My family is expanding once again.  I am once more convinced that if we get out of ourselves, and enjoy one another, we have enough love, time, and energy, whatever we need for the people God places in our life. 

My Sister and her husband were there, looking great, and their neighbors from Oregon, that I had met before, were there, and I sat with them.  My other Nephew and his wife, from Louisiana (that I ate Alligator with) came and it was good to see the whole family together.

I am now "Aunt Lonna" to everyone instead of "Grandma Swann".  We had a great "Rehearsal dinner" at Mimi's Cafe. (I ate soup and salad.) They had other choices, like Turkey dinner, salmon, Steak and fries etc....  About 50 people, some I hadn't seen for 35-40 years.  Most I hadn't met but we were soon family.   

I took "Uber" over to the restaurant (about 15 min away) but "Uber" wouldn't take my payment coming back (No reason, tried three different ones).  Remember when I said I didn't believe in accidents?  Well, the young nephews, and son of the bride, (teenagers and college age) took me back and we connected and had a great time.  I'm Looking forward to seeing them tonight at the wedding.

My Sister's friend from Newport Beach, (I knew her too) was there last night and she will come and pick me up for the wedding.

Some of you will smile at this; the wedding party (girls) had a nail and "tanning" party at the tanning salon yesterday so they wouldn't look too "white" in the wedding. 

  WHAT!   of the travel was caught up in anticipation of the Wedding , so time flew by.

id find out that she is taking me to Or