Two Little Boys

My Grandma, Lucille Chase McCracken was left a young widow in June, 1938, when her husband Demar succumbed to skin cancer. It is heartbreaking to think of this time in her life. She was only twenty-seven years

Harold and Ramona 1932

old; her son Harold was not quite eleven, and sweet little Ramona was seven. 

The burden of caring for Harold and Mona, keeping house, and providing for the three of them in the harsh climate of Teton Basin must have overwhelmed her, but she was strong. Lucille did housekeeping, took in laundry, waited tables in Mrs. Hoopes' Cafe in Tetonia, worked in the potato fields in the fall and at any other odd jobs she could find to provide for the family. They rented an apartment in the old lumberyard west of the drugstore in Tetonia.

Before the end of the year, Lucille was once again a bride on Christmas Eve, 1938. Her new husband was thirty-three year old Elmer Beard. My father relates that Elmer and Lucille had known each other for many years and had been chums during their school days. 

Aaron 1940

Elmer moved right into the role of father and was wonderful to Harold and Ramona, but the family was not complete. Before the next Christmas, a darling baby boy, Aaron, made his appearance.

Leon 1943

Two and a half years later Leon was born in May, 1942. 

These words written by an unknown author describe Lucille and Elmer's feelings about their young sons as the family blended together.

Little Boys

Little boys come in all shapes and sizes,
Shy and adventurous, full of surprises,
With misshapen halos and mischievous grins,
Small dirty faces, and sweet, sticky chins.

They'll keep you so busy, and yet all the while
Nothing can brighten the world like their smile.
And no greater treasure has brought homes more joy
Than a curious, active, and lovable boy!

Aaron and Leon

Elmer, Aaron and Leon