Dear Paul,
Fifty-three years ago today, you arrived to brighten the Gillespie household and through all these years, you have continued to do so.
While you were born in Pennsylvania, you never really lived there for we were at that time in the process of moving to Sebring, Ohio.
Your display of initiative began on the first anniversary of your birth. Among the greeting cards received, was one from Great Grandma Green which took your fancy. Your fond appreciation of it was about to become its ruin, so we put it up on the piano... out of reach. You looked at it from various angles, then went into the kitchen and got the yard stick and with it, knocked the card down to the floor. We decided you had earned it.
We felt sure you were going to be a Politician. You "pulled every string" within reach. The telephone had been placed on a high book case, with the cord secured behind it... that's what we thought. Evidently a wee bit was showing and you wiggled it out, pulling the phone down from its height and striking you on the head. Result... you had a bump on your head and we had to get a new phone.
Living in the manse had its draw backs-there were no other children in the block. There was however, a little girl about your age living with her grandmother, across the street in the next block. Her name was Shirley. She was not allowed to cross the street, nor were you, so you would each go to the corner of the street and talk. You were about three or four years old then.
Shirley's grandmother came to ask if Paul could come over and play with Shirley. She said, "Paul is such a nice boy and would not break Shirley's toys as the boys farther down their street did." So you were allowed to visit Shirley on occasion.
One day as we were getting ready to leave for vacation, I heard you say, "I can't come out to play today, Shirley, I have to go on my vacation.
About this time, you were learning to read and you wanted to take in everything in sight. Along the Highways were all sorts of signs and when a particulary attactive one came in view, you would say"slow up Daddy, so I can read the sign."
You loved going through covered bridges and wanted Daddy to blow the horn, which he did if there were no other traffic. It made a loud, echoing sound.
We left Sebring when you were four and a half years old and moved to Georgetown near the Kentucky border. You started to school in Georgetown. We liked living there and would sometimes cross the Ohio River to explore places in Kentucky. However, traveling was somewhat limited for our country was at war with Germany and gasoline, among other things, was rationed.
One vacation we camped at Roosevelt Lake near Portsmouth. It was a small park, well maintained. The ranger took you with him on his rounds one day. He pointed out the different trees telling you how to identify them, by their leaves, bark, ect... Each species had a plaque attached, containing this information. After you had made the tour, the ranger said, "Now Paul if you came here in the winter time when the leaves are gone, how could you identify the trees?" (Thinking you would say, "by the bark") but you said, "I'd read the signs." He thought that was a wise answer for a young lad.
As the war progressed and so many young men were drafted into the service, Dad felt he should not take exemption, so he enlisted in the chapliney of the Air Corps as it was at that time part of the Army.
Much to our delight he was stationed in California, first in Sacramento, then in Santa Ana. In both places you found playmates and you also did well in school.
After the war, we located in Los Angels for the next few years, until it became necessary for us to return east to take care of Grandpa Gillepie in Glen Spey, New York. We decided to stay east, and after Grandpa's death, we settled in Hampton, New Jersey.
While Hampton and the church were in Hunterdon County, the Manse was across the Musconetong River in Warren County and you had to travel by bus to both elementery and high school- the later was in Washington.
One day we had an errand in Washington about the time you were getting out of school, so we picked you up. Dad had to stop briefly in the Doctor's office and you and I waited in the car. Three girls were walking along the other side of the street and you called my attention to the one in the middle saying, " I think she is a very nice girl" Indeed she was, and still is, and grows more charming every day- her name is Carol.
During your high school days you maintained a rural paper route, hence mile after mile, through sun, rain or snow, you cycled or walked to deliver the daily news to farmer and others along your route. Sometimes you were not hungry for the evening meal and I wondered why, then I learned that among your customers, were a couple of Hot Dog stands and you became their customer.
Also in high school you became interested in Electronics to such an extent it was not safe to go into your room for fear of tripping over wires. Indeed just to open the door, turned on lights and started the radio playing and goodness knows what else.
We remained in Hampton until you finished high school. We decided to change our location and you decided to join the Air Force. You were finally sent to Arizona and we moved to Tarrytown, New Jersey.
You learned to like the desert and in due season persuaded Carol it would be a nice place to live.
During the ensuing years, working together, you have steadily progressed. Gradually you have acquired a delightful family and a comfortable home, and when you wish to escape the deserts 100 degrees plus, there's the cabin high up in the mountains near the San Francisco Peaks, where the air is clear and the view uninhibited. Even in winter it is equipped for comfortable living.
All through the years you have continued to advance and both are engaged in various church activities.
For the part six years you have graciously shared your home with me, I could not have found better care anywhere than I have with you and Carol and members of the family. Not only are my wants supplied, but my wishes are anticipated. I lack words to express my sincere appreciation.
May the coming years bring you blessings rich and rewarding and may God bless you with good health to enjoy them.
A Very Happy Birthday.
With love, mother
