A Sad Christmas

I mentioned in an earlier post that Dad had an accident just before Christmas 1953. This picture was taken on December 23 of that year. Dad was on his way to work at Meadow Gold Ice Cream Company when he was hit head on by a young soldier returning from Fort Cambell Ky. It is believed that the soldier fell asleep at the wheel. Dad had just purchased a new 1953 Plymouth auto which was demolished in the accident.(Pictured above) The insurance company replaced it with a 1954 model. Dad stayed in the hospital, in traction while a compound fracture healed. After he was released he had to wear a leg brace for several months. I am not sure but I believe the hospital was the General Hospital in Nashville, TN. From the picture you can tell that hospitals have come a long way since the 50's.

I don't remember much about when he was in the hospital but I do remember the Pajamas he was wearing in the picture. Dad rarely wore pajamas therefore he rarely wore them out. The pajamas in the picture remained in his underwear drawer for many years.

While my Dad was in the hospital Mother, my brother and I stayed at my Aunt Anne's house. As I recall we had a pretty good Christmas that year. It was fun staying with my five cousins, Nancy, Sandra, Everett, Walter (Bunton) and Fred Johnson. Since I was only 5 years old most of what I remember about that Christmas is from stories told to me by my cousins. I do remember however that was the year Nancy and Sandra got bicycles for Christmas. I remember them on Christmas morning before daylight riding their bicycles in the front yard in their pajamas.

lcr