I have been trying to understand my maternal grandparents for years. I know little about them as Mom wasn't fond of them and spoke little of their history.

William Clinton Foster went by the name Clint. He was born in 1884. His father, John David Foster, died in 1890 leaving Clint and his two brothers to be raised by their grandfather, also a John David Foster. He died in 1900 with Clint just 16.

Lydia Ruth Craven was born in 1892. Her mother died in childbirth and Lydia was raised by her father and a step-mother. I can't say whether her step-mother was kind or the traditional mean substitute.

That both Clint and Lydia were a bit wild as teenagers has been implied several times by some family members. And, given their early histories, that may be true. However, as we look at the chronology of their early lives, another picture arises.

It is a fact that Lydia was pregant with Mom when she and Clint married about October of 1914. In today's world, we would just say, "Typical teenagers" and pass on to the next story. But Clint was 30 and Lydia was 22! Both were old enough to know what was going on.

Clint badly wanted to travel; his dream was to go to California. But his future father-in-law, Atchinson C. Craven, had a different idea and a loaded shotgun! The marriage took place just in time and Clint never left the state of Arkansas except for one bright moment when he went to Missouri to accept an award.

When I was born, Clint was already 62. I know he had several farms in his life. He raised hogs and chickens at various times. He was fond of horhound candy and sorgum & butter on biskets. Grandma collected salt and pepper shakers from all over the world.