My Story

"Lorie"

By-Loraite (Rossman) Teays

            I was born on Mar. 27^th, 1917. My mother named me, Sylva Loraite, after her and cousin Loraite Cline Smith, whom she had named sixteen years earlier. The name Loraite was “made up” from Loraine – the “n” being changed to a “t”. Mother “made up” the name, when she was in school and used it for her pen “name”.

             Mother once told me that she dressed me, in white clothes, from the time I was born, until I was old enough to go to school. When the time came for me to start school, she made me several colored dresses, to wear. I would stand by the dresses and “cry” as I wanted to still wear the white dresses, that I was used to. I guess I was a little “spoiled”. I finally got over it and enjoyed my school days.

             It was fun “growing up” on a large farm and eventually having four brothers and five sisters – never a dull moment. As we grew old enough, we all had our own chores. Mine was made easier as Mae, two years younger then me, and I “teamed up” to work together. Some of our chores were- washing dishes, making beds, washing windows, scrubbing floors, filing the wood box, filling the lamps with kerosene, ( I hated this chore) and helping with the cooking and baking. Occasionally, we had to help with some of the farm chores, like – helping during “haying time” and “picking up potatoes”, in the fall. That was a “back-breaking “chore. 

          In the summer, when school was out, we children had to work, everyday, at various chores, until noon. After the noon dishes were washed and dried, we were allowed to “play” until time to help prepare supper. Of course we had lots of fun, in the long summer evenings-playing “hide and seek”, croquet, red light, and “May I”.

          When I was almost 12 years old, mother said I could have a Birthday Party. I was “delighted” and I told her I wanted to invite people of all ages. We invited friends, my age, my very special cousin, Loraite and her family and my grandparents. I remember it being a lovely spring day. The party was on a Saturday. I felt very happy and pretty in a lovely Kelly green dress, that mother had made for me. I also had a new pair of black patent leather shoes, with little heels. We had games and prizes for all ages and a lovely supper and Birthday cake. I received many gifts that delighted me.

          Our cousins-Gladys & Henry Rossman had a farm, across the road, from us. Their children, Irene and James were always very friendly and “joined in our games” and god times, very often.

          When I got to be as “tall” as my two older sisters, they were so nice to me. They were always “willing” to loan me, one of their pretty dresses – if needed something, for a special occasion.

          My parents let me take “piano lessons” when I reached 12 years of age. I also learned to play the saxophone and was able to join the school band, when I was in 8^th grade. I never set the “world on fire” with my music, but enjoyed it very much. I played a “piano solo” at our Jr. Prom and a “piano duet” at my Sr. Prom. In later years, I was able to purchase a “Hammond Organ”. It made me very happy-to play for church, occasionally and for weddings.

          When I was young, I usually got to “visit” some aunts and uncles for a week’s vacation. Those were very special times, for me. I was also able to spend a few days, in the summer with Grandpa and Grandma Rossman, in Oxford. They lived close to my cousins-Margaret, Betty and Ethel Jean Rossman. We had lots of fun together. Uncle Bill would take us, up to Stoney Lake, one mile north of Oxford. It was very enjoyable to swim, in the cool clean water, on a hot summer afternoon. Once in awhile we would go to a movie downtown, on Sat. afternoon. Tickets were only 10 cents a piece.

          I was ten years old, when sister, Shirley was born. I was old enough to help care for her. We became very “close” and enjoy a very special friendship to this day.

          During my 14 and 15 years of age, I belonged to a 4H Group. We girls had sewing lessons and were required to finish a garment, for “achievement day”. The 2^nd year, I ordered a dress pattern from the magazine called “Mich. Farmer”. It was an ankle length afternoon dress. I purchased white “dotted” swiss, with yellow dots. I worked very hard to sew that dress- the best that I could. Of course, mother guided me, but we had to do all the “sewing” ourselves. Achievement day was held in the lovely Lapeer High School, which had an auditorium. We had to “model: our dresses, on the big stage. After we had all marched across, the stage, my name was called for me to model my dress, one more time, as I was named “Style Champion” of Lapeer County. What a proud moment!

          I joined an Extension Club, in Metamora, in 1938. We had all kinds of classes, for home-makers. When we moved to Oxford, I transferred to a club there to continue my membership. I was proud to receive my 50 yr. certificate in 1988.

          When T.C and Ed became old enough to drive a car and go visiting friends and attend parties and dances, they would quite often, take me along. We had “lots of fun” growing up together.

          I met the “man of my dreams”, “James Teays” on Feb. 21^{st  1934}. I was a junior in High School and it was very nice to always have a boy friend to escort me to all the school parties and Proms. We became engaged on Aug. 8^th, 1934. I graduated from Metamora High School in June of 1935. This was the same school that our dad graduated from, in 1900. Jim and I were married on Nov. 28^th, 1936. Our son, David was born on May 26^th, 1939. My Uncle Guy Johnson, was my doctor. He had presided at all the births of us then children – plus Sister Maude’s two children.

          I feel so grateful, for “growing up” in such a loving and caring family. Our parents, George and Sylva were the “best”. 

 

                The End

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