When I told Mother we would have a big, fancy party, by the time she would decide she didn’t want, she had purchased her dress. During that time, she reflected on her life and wrote her speech. Below is that speech.
Doris Jones Huddle
June 11, 1932
Parents – Algie Goodson and Ike Jones
Sister of 1 brother and two sisters
I was born in extreme low land poverty in Arkansas where regular flooding of our house and moving out with friends to higher ground was one of my earliest memories. (A little note: My dad showed us as children how to measure the height of how high the water was out side by a hole in the bedroom floor. We used a broom stick that we stuck in the hole and once the flooding reached a certain level, it was time to move. Another little note: My mother, who prided herself on her cooking, couldn’t stand the extremely over floured biscuits that the woman made whose house we would move into during the flood. So my mother would rise earlier and earlier to beat the woman to the kitchen to make her own biscuits for the group.)
My mother was a very kind and loving woman but unfortunately she had lots of problems that materialized greatly in her life.
My dad was from a wealthy farming family in Georgia, but after loosing both parents at a very early age he decided to strike out on his own and came to Arkansas. He was uneducated and has some mental issues therefore only was able to make a meager living selling meat and produce from his truck he delivered to people until he was involved in an accident and recieved a small settlement of $500. (S lot in 1938). He was a able to rent a building in the city and started a cafe (Ike’s Place). Life in general got better and improved with this move –
My sister Jim (nickname) was manic depressive but was able to marry and raise a family that loved her deeply and took very good care of her until her death-
My sister Dub (nickname) wasn’t a fortunate in her marraige as she was married to an abusive husband and both and he became alcoholics. She had one son who was able to go forward despite all the problems at home.
My brother Cecil, I guess you could call him the successful one as far as wealth for he became a millionaire in the automobile business, but not unlike all self made wealth others have made, there is a debt to be paid and he and his family didn’t escape this in their riches.
I, Doris, wish my name was Rose (she drew a little picture of a rose here on her notes). By the grace of God, I married the love of my life and my soul mate, Jack Huddle. But, and there is always a but, our marriage was not the Pot of Gold at the end of the rainbow. We had many obstacles and problem to deal with and overcome: sickness, death of our middle child Gloria, and my husband’s alcoholism. (By God’s grace, he was able to stay sober the last 17 years of his life, among other heartaches along the way.)
But, and this is a great but, we had the most previous gifts that God could ever give us that came out of our marraige. It was our daughter Jand and son Neil. Who both I am so very proud and happy to be their mother. And with them came my wonderful Grandchildren, Jake, John, Josh, Dylan and Anna
Chapter II of my life began with being a widow. I searched for answers in all the wrong things and places. The last 10 years I have really found joy and peace and God has given me great contentment in painting as insufficient as it may be. My painting are mostly about color and the feelings I get from putting them in my paintings.
In closing, I would like to say how much I appreciate my son in law by making it possible in a gracious and welcome manner to share his home and their family and their lives the last 23 years. I have a lot of great happy memories, with love, I thank you Robert. And last but not least I thank my God for my life and all the wonderful blessings in the 80 years he has given me.
Janet’s note: if you are so inclined, you may wish Doris Huddle best wishes at her facebook page..
16 Responses
Happy, Happy Day Mrs. Huddle.
God’s blessings to you!
Love
Pamela Vandewalker
Ms. Doris aka Josh’s Grandma….
A long and fruitful life, you are sowing what you planted, love and care from your family.
May He bless y’all.
Feliz Cumpleanos!
A big hug
The Chavez’s
Happy birthday! Thanks for the yummy recipes!! You are dearly loved
Happy bday aunt Doris and many more
Have the happiest of days. Your life story is beautifull. I now understand why Janet is the special person she is, thanks to loving parent, a fine husband and wonderful children. All the best from an old friend of Janet and Bob’s.
Happy, Happy birthday Momma Doris! We’ve all enjoyed Janet’s writings about you and your birthday. Absolutely LOVE the videos,recipes AND YOUR PAINTINGS, so I hope you will continue to share your gifts with us! Much love to you on this very special day….God bless you always and THANK YOU both for sharing your heart with all of us! 🙂
Happy Birthday to my son’s “second” Mother. I thank you for doing all the things I was always too far away to do. I envy you all the time you spent with Jake, John and Josh watching them grow up to be wonderful men! I missed so much. They were very lucky to have you there. Again, Happy Birthday and let them pamper you today! Have a great day!
Happy 80th Birthday, Mrs Huddle, ( That is what I remember calling you as a child )
I have many fond memories of my childhood in which you were a part. Growing up on Oak Hill, I was oblivious to any problem that the adults may have had. As a child being around you and Mr Huddle was always a pleasure. I remember you always having a smile for us kids. I so enjpy you and Janet sharing this happy time with us. Happy Happy Birthday
Happy Blessed 80th Birthday Doris! I was happy to finally meet you at the Edward Fudge movie, after reading about you on Janet’s blog (really enjoyed watching you make chicken salad!). Thank you for sharing your life with everyone. God has blessed you!
Happy Birthday to a great woman. We never met but I believe that by your children and their successes you will be known.
Happy 80th Birthday! You are loved.
I loved reading your “history”. I am from Hot Springs, Arkansas, so I’ve always felt a “kinship” to Janet when I learned you all are from that state. Those Arkansas ladies are strong individuals, to be loved, admired by their family and friends. I’ve heard about your wonderful cooking. Seems I can just taste it!! Happy Birthday and MANY MORE!!
Happy 80th Birthday to a special lady! Thanks be to God for watching over you all these years. I only know the Siefert
family but I certainly see you in Janet. What a blessing all of
family has been to John and me. Hope you had a wonderful
day!
WOW………what a wonderful story and Happy 80th Birthday !!!!
I have heard so many wonderful things about you thru Janet and feel so blessed to have met her. As a friend and tennis partner (boy do we have fun out on the tennis courts together)
I now see where she gets her love for life and all the blessings for friends and family. God Bless You and Happy B’day 🙂
Beautiful. I have never had the opportunity to meet your family, but I felt that I knew you through the stories I was told years ago. If there is anything that Jake made known to his friends, it was his love of God and his love of his family. I feel like I have received a blessing -in a very roundabout and distant way- to continue ‘living’ as part of his family. It is still so apparent to me what a rich treasure you all share in one another. I know in my heart that Jake would still proudly be telling me stories of both his God and his family today.