Janet Eriksson

How Our Family Experienced World War II

I was born in the late ’60s, so obviously I was not around during World War II. But my parents were. My dad, Bill Gillis, never talked with me about the war, although I know he served in the Coast Guard in Miami. He was 26 years old when America entered the war. My mom, JoyContinueContinue reading “How Our Family Experienced World War II”

Childhood Summer Vacations

You might wonder where people who live on a Florida beach go for vacation. The answer is simple: They go to a different Florida beach! I grew up in Miami. It was very different from the Miami of today. It was quieter, less crowded, calmer. Absolutely beautiful. I grew up in paradise, and I knewContinueContinue reading “Childhood Summer Vacations”

When Rain Came through Miami

Growing up in Miami, I got used to storms. Fast ones. I could smell the rain coming. It was a distinct scent that clung to the screen door. A storm was on the way and would arrive within minutes. In the summer, we could count on a daily afternoon storm. It blew in quickly fromContinueContinue reading “When Rain Came through Miami”

Favorite Playground Game When I Was Young (1970s)

This is the story of how volleyball started out as a game I didn’t like, and it turned into something I loved. In elementary school, we had physical education class (phys ed or PE) every day. I didn’t like the class. Both coaches acted mean. They didn’t teach us basic skills. And they favored theContinueContinue reading “Favorite Playground Game When I Was Young (1970s)”

Mom’s First House

When I was very little, we lived in Biscayne Park, and we would go to visit my grandmother, Eunice, just a few minutes away in North Miami. Sometimes I would stay over at her house on Friday night and spend Saturday with her. I always loved spending time at her house. It wasn’t until IContinueContinue reading “Mom’s First House”

Wish I Could Have Met My Grandfather

I wish I could have met my grandfather on my mom’s side. I understand why that didn’t happen. But I wish it could have been different. When my mom, Joy, was five and her younger brother, Hal, was three, their parents (Eunice and Edgar Washburn) divorced. My mom’s dad moved from Miami to West PalmContinueContinue reading “Wish I Could Have Met My Grandfather”

Memories of Grandma Nellie

Nellie Bellezora Rees was my grandmother. My dad, William Sturgeon Gillis, Jr. was her son. Grandma Nellie was 74 when I was born; she lived to be 93. I never knew much about her earlier life. Recently, my sister shared with me a few of her memories. My sister is 24 years older than me,ContinueContinue reading “Memories of Grandma Nellie”

Aunt Elwy’s Nursing Career

I decided to search Newspapers.com for any references to Aunt Elwy in West Palm Beach. I was delighted to find so many articles that captured her role as head nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital, along with her activities as district president and a delegate at the state nursing conventions. There were also articles spanning theContinueContinue reading “Aunt Elwy’s Nursing Career”

Gillis & LaSenius Thanksgiving Traditions

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Today I’m remembering some of my family’s traditions from years ago. The Gillis family lived in Miami, Florida for a while. I’ve seen photos from the late ’60s, when I was two and three years old, where family gathered with us for a Thanksgiving meal: my aunt and uncle, Florence and CharlesContinueContinue reading “Gillis & LaSenius Thanksgiving Traditions”

How I Remember Aunt Elwy

Elwy LaSenius Rousseau was my great-aunt. She and my grandmother (Eunice) were sisters, just four years apart. My grandmother was the oldest of their siblings, and Elwy was second oldest. Three more sisters and one brother would be born after they were. When remembering life events from the 20th century, it’s easy to figure outContinueContinue reading “How I Remember Aunt Elwy”