Cochran Family History and News – BlogCochran.com

When I was in fifth grade, my teacher was so disgusted with our bad handwriting, that we all had to learn cursive again.  As ten-year-olds, this was a serious affront, as we were not third-graders, and therefore too sophisticated for good handwriting.

Later on, I prided myself on my miniscule writing, using 1/4-1/2 of the height of the given line.  This was good practice for studying the Brontes, as they were fond of writing teeny-tiny magazines (to save paper), thusly:

Proving, once and for all, that I am a dork.

This came up while Heidi and I were talking the other night.  What quirky little memories of school do you have?  Did you ever have to do strange things?  Was there a particularly strange kid?  Were you that kid?  In what ways were teachers innovative? Or not?

Basically, what were some of the funny little moments of school?

I certainly wish I remembered Grandma better; she died just before my twelfth birthday.  But everything I do remember, aside from the sickness, is good.  I remember thinking that my grandmother was very pretty, always neat and always careful about looking nice, even though I know she didn’t feel well.  She, in my mind, loved pretty girl things and I know that several of my best dolls came from her and Grandpa.  The prettiest doll I ever had was from them, a smallish baby doll with a blue satin and lace dress.  It was given to me at one of the big family Christmas parties we used to have.  I was so pleased with that doll, and now, as I look back on it, I’m even more pleased because I know the thought that went into it.  That doll was just right for me.

Around the time I got my second bike, when I was six, I remember really wanting a bike basket.  You would think I would have been content with my purple-rainbow-unicorn-Pegasus bike with streamers, but it needed something more.  Mom can correct me if I’m wrong, but I remember Grandma needed a new basket for the walker she used and she gave me the old one, complete with fantastic plastic flowers, to go on my bike.  I don’t think I understood how strongly grandparents feel for their grandchildren until I saw my parents interacting with theirs.  This basket is a good example of grandparental affection, in my mind; the kind of small token that costs very little but means a lot.

Grandma and Grandpa Baggs visited us down in the far-off wastes of Orem as often as they could.  Grandma’s willingness to travel is another example of grandparental affection.  It can’t have been easy to transfer to and from the wheelchair and endure the drive from Ogden to Orem, but she came anyway.  I’m sure we were weird little show-off kids, at least if home movies are any evidence, but they tolerated us with good humor.  Grandma liked all of our cats, but I know that she loved old Bullwinkle.  For all his seasonal scrounginess, she always called him “the pretty cat” and wanted to see him and pet him.

Grandma always had a nice voice.  I remember it as being very pretty and sweet.  I think she must have been the kind of person who inspired love and kindness.  I certainly love her better as I look back on the small things I remember her doing for me; I wish I could have known her better, but perhaps I can see her best (as well as Grandpa) in the way my own mother turned out.  Her compassion and kindness, especially toward her family, cause me to want to improve.  I’m grateful for the qualities that were passed down from my grandmother and hope to live up to them in my own life.

Grandma Baggs is our first family history topic.  Mom and her sisters are writing a history of Grandma for the next Baggs Family Reunion.  Mom would like our input and our memories.  Also, Grandma Baggs is the grandparent I have the fewest memories of, and I would really like to know more about her (this is pointed at you, Mom and Dad ).  So, get cracking and post your recollections by next Sunday.  We’ll work on the guidelines and amount of posts as we go, but let’s at least start well.

I propose that we explore one topic a week to start and expand if possible.  I would like to post the new topic each Sunday, when we hopefully have a little contemplation time, and then we would each have the remainder of the week to post.  My hope is that the gentle peer pressure of everyone getting something posted, as well as a desire to record our memories (of course) will be enough to keep the project motivated.  I am also excited for Zach and Dad’s plans to post genealogical information; I think any documented histories we have from either side should be posted as well, although the topical posts will focus on more immediate family concerns.

Salutations!