Beyond the Other Side: Today in Layne History

Sunday - August 17, 2007

4) Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5) It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,

it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6) Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7) It always protects, always trusts,

always hopes, always perseveres.
8) Love never fails. . . . . . . . . .
13) . . . faith, hope and love.

But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13: 4 - 8; 13

This passage has always been special to us. I was at a Woman’s retreat at Parchment Valley near Ripley, WV when these verses were one of the topics discussed. This really tells us what love is all about - especially in our everyday lives. A little over a week ago this passage was discussed again - at John’s funeral. I did not know this was one of his favorite. We (the boys and I) grew up believing these things about love by watching our parents as living examples. Several years ago I even wrote a poem to Mom and Dad based on this scripture. I may share it with you all at a later date. Today is very special in the Layne family - it is the date our parents - Elmer J Layne and Relma Irene Whitman became husband and wife - 62 years ago today!! When Dad passed away on December 2, 2005, he and Mom had been married a little over 59 years. Mom always said - “to the same man!” We had a gathering of family and friends for their 50th anniversary. I asked Dad and Mom what they wanted - a nice dinner out at a restaurant or a gathering of family and friends at the house. He chose the house; Mom kind of liked the idea of eating out - all who know and love her knows she loves eating out!!

I would like to share a little family trivia with you about that day and the years leading up to their wedding as told by Dad and Mom through the years.

To begin with, Mom and Dad had known one another for years - her foster sister married Dad’s oldest brother (Aunt Junia and Uncle Son). Dad said they knew each other since he was in diapers - not really sure about that, but we always took Dad at his word! :):) As the years passed by and he would be visiting his older brother, Dad always said Mom would climb up in a pear tree at the corner of the porch where she grew up and watch for him!:):):) He also said she would whistle at him! Needless to say, Mom always said that didn’t happen!!!! Knowing Dad, he might have stretched the truth just a tad bit!

Dad also said the reason they ended up getting married was because after coming home from the war; losing his foot; and not able to run - Mom was able to catch him! Mom would always huff when this story was told! Again, Dad loved stretching the truth. What they both agreed to was that they knew each other for a long time!

When they decided to get married they went to the Logan County Court House to apply for their marriage license. Mom worked at the court house and could have gotten the license that day instead of waiting the mandatory three day wait. They chose not to take advantage of her position at the court house. Mom loves telling the story about when they were completing the paper work. The girl who was waiting on them asked Dad what the “J” stood for in his name. Without blinking an eye and with a straight face, Dad responded “Jesus” and never told the poor girl differently. His middle names is actually James!

On August 17, 1946, Mom and Dad were married. She said she wore a blue dress and a niece and her beau (who ended up becoming her husband) stood with them as their witnesses. They have been married about 60 years - Ruth and Claude Stinson. Ruth is the oldest daughter of Dad’s oldest brother and Mom’s foster sister. It was a long time before I figured out who was really Mom’s sisters and who were her foster sisters. We called them all “Aunt!”

Mom’s biological siblings included two sisters (Aunt Agnes and Aunt Olive) and three brothers (Uncle Tab, Uncle Tommy, and Uncle Bunk). Her foster family (all of whom were actually her first cousins) included one brother (Donald) and ten sisters (Nancy, Lilly, Junia, Florence, Vivian, Lucy, Keller, Ella, Frankie, and Ruby). Donald and Nancy died before we were born - but all the others we knew!

Dad’s siblings were not as complicated in figuring out who was who. He had three brothers (Uncle Son, Uncle Pak, and Uncle Pete). He also had three sisters (Aunt Hammy, Aunt Oma, and Aunt Dean).

I could have written their “official” names down, but we called them by the names I posted - a lot of nick names for most of them. Dad’s nickname was “Buck,” and Mom’s was “Pud.”
Through the years, Mom and Dad’s family grew by four - William A. Layne (September 2, 1947); John P Layne and Phyllis S Layne (January 22, 1950); and Michael D Layne (May 17, 1952). We all have great memories. Their love was patient and kind - sometimes it may not have been as patient as we would have liked because that’s when we would get in trouble! (I always said it was the boys fault - I was always as guilty but I’m not owning up to that with them around!)

This posting is to let Mom (and Dad) know how much they are loved and how much we appreciate what they did for us. The pictures I’m posting will take you through the years with Mom and Dad.
Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!
“Ditto” John!

Relma Irene Whitman(Mom) and Elmer J Layne(Dad)