I know that quite some time ago you slipped away from me. I know you still love me, but the distance was there and growing. Lately, I have had the more disturbing feeling that I am now slipping away too. I have had a few quiet moments this evening to ponder this. Moving forward, starting new chapters, all comes with a price. I am moving forward, but the price is sad. I seem to have a memory playing through my mind today and it is of two best friends and soul mates who delighted in each other and the world they lived in. We laughed, loved, memorized every detail and held hands till the dark. We played. We laughed. We cried and we held hands. Those were the moments of my life. I know that is going away and I do not totally understand why. I used to see something spectacular and want to share it with you. Now, my thoughts travel somewhere else. Is this what happens? Does love fade? Has this already been what you accepted? Did you find a replacement? Why could something so wonderful, so spectacular, so divine be going away from me? I know that I always felt deserving of love and that love does present itself again in the universe. I am not unhappy with a new love, just finding it so difficult to wonder how a love as great as ours slipped through my fingers. As I move forward, I am fully present in the knowledge of all I learned from you. Were you in my life to teach me how to accept great love? Were you there to teach me how to find joy in the journey? Were you in my life to teach me how to be loved and accept love more fully? It is so goofy… I always thought so much of myself that I thought I was there for you. Now, I am humbled and know that you were there for me. Thank you. I am on the journey…moving forward…
It is like my life journey had a seat next to me on a train. I guess – the part that surprises me is that I thought we would sit together for the end of the ride.
THE ROBERTSON FAMILY HOME (Maternal grandparents of Tim Whitmer)
Delbert C. Roberston and Lillian J. Jackson were Tim’s maternal grandparents. Their family home was in Owensboro, KY. By 1952, their home was at 1637 Parrish Ave. Tim recalls that the house was small, with a long and slender yard. One of the highlights of their yard, was a screened-in outbuilding where the family would gather for wonderful dishes like homemade ice cream. Among other wonderful foods served there, Tim mentioned the banana salad, b-b-q mutton, and watermelon. (Mutton was a favorite food and was served at a local establishment called The Mutton Pit.) Tim remembers that the home was shaped like a “box” with a living room at the front and 2 bedrooms in the back. There was 1 bathroom. He believes there was a crawl space. The kitchen was a good size, and his grandmother was a very good cook. One of the features of the kitchen were the bins that were 8” to 10” long and about 24” deep. These bins fit into the kitchen cupboards and held items like oatmeal, white flour, and cornmeal. Tim was allowed to play in the flour with his clean hands when he was very young. A happy family home that was always welcoming!
THE WHITMER FAMILY HOME (Paternal grandparents of Tim Whitmer)
Charles Emmett Whitmer, Sr. and Eura Noffsinger were the paternal grandparents of Tim Whitmer. Tim recalls, that his grandfather ran a local General Store that he had started on his own. In fact, the Calumet clock in the Ann Arbor home of Tim and Mary Ann came from that store where it used to hang. The store had a unique giant oak tree that grew up through the center of the building. The Whitmer family home in Owensboro was single story. There was no basement. This is the home that Charles Emmett Whitmer, Jr. grew up in. At some point, an addition was built on this home, and the large front porch connected the original home to an additional home with its own entry. Tim said that “duplex” was not a word used at that time. The porch was not like the porches of today. It was bricked halfway up, was about 8’ x 10’ and you “set out” (not sat out) on your porch! In several US Census records and city directories, a home address of 1303 Breckenridge was listed.
ROMANCE A CUTE STORY ABOUT CHARLES AND WANDA (Parents of Tim Whitmer)
Tim recalls that his parents met in High School where Tim’s father played the trombone, and his mother played the clarinet. A funny story that Charles liked to recall is how he would use the slide of his trombone to tap Wanda.
When Lousa “Louise” Melosso was born on June 13, 1899, in Frisanco, Pordenone, Italy, her father, Andrea, was 43, and her mother, Maddalena, was 36. She married Anibale (Annibale) Bravin on May 21, 1921 in Italy. They had three children during their marriage. She died on August 17, 1990, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, at the age of 91, and was buried there.
1899 birth
Here is a time line of Lousa’s life:
Birth: Lousa was born on June 13, 1899, in Frisanco, Pordenone, Italy, to Maddalena “Lena” Toffolo Culau, age 36, and Andrea (Andrew) Melosso, age 43.
Age 3: Her brother Angelo Selemino died on December 31, 1902, in Frisanco, Pordenone, Italy, when Lousa “Louise” “Luigia” was 3 years old.
Age 5: Her sister Albino was born on July 30, 1904, in Udine, Udine, Italy, when Lousa “Louise” “Luigia” was 5 years old.
Age 21: Lousa married Anibale (Annibale) (Pete) Bravin on May 21, 1921, when she was 21 years old. They were married in Italy.
Age 22: Her son John Andrew or Giovanni Andrea Battista was born on March 1, 1922, in Meduno, Pordenone, Italy.
Age 23: Lousa immigrated to the US on 29 Aug 1922 on the Europa. I believe she was processed at Ellis Island. She had started the voyage in Genoa, Italy on 22 Aug 1922.
This is the arriving passenger list
Age 26: Her son Louis Edward “Lou” was born on August 25, 1925, in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
Age 27: Her daughter Madeline Mary Rose or Maddalena Maria was born on December 20, 1926, in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
Age 34: Her father Andrea (Andrew) passed away on March 31, 1934, in Meduno, Pordenone, Italy, at the age of 78.
Age 62: Her sister Angela died in 1961 when Lousa “Louise” “Luigia” was 62 years old.
Age 70: Her husband Anibale (Annibale) (Pete) passed away on December 14, 1969, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, at the age of 78. They had been married 48 years.
Age 77: Her sister Tecla died on November 1, 1976, in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
This 1930 US census shows that Lousa was born in Italy – her parents were also born in Italy.1930 US census data on Lousa1940 US census data on Lousa
What was Frisanco, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy like when Lousa Louise was born?
The following information was generated by AI.
In 1899, Frisanco was a small village located in the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy. Nestled in the picturesque foothills of the Dolomite Mountains, Frisanco was a close-knit community with a rich cultural heritage. Let’s explore what life was like in Frisanco during this time.
Daily Life:In 1899, the people of Frisanco lived a simple yet fulfilling life. The village was primarily agrarian, with most residents engaged in farming and animal husbandry. The fertile soil and favorable climate allowed for the cultivation of crops such as wheat, corn, and barley. Families worked together to tend their fields and care for their livestock, ensuring a sustainable livelihood.
Cultural Traditions:Frisanco was known for its vibrant cultural traditions. The people took great pride in their heritage, preserving and celebrating their unique customs. Festivals and religious processions were an integral part of village life, bringing the community together in joyous celebration. Traditional dances, music, and local cuisine were cherished, reflecting the rich tapestry of Friulian culture.
Community Spirit:The people of Frisanco valued strong community bonds. Neighbors supported one another, sharing resources and lending a helping hand when needed. Social gatherings, such as weddings and baptisms, were cherished occasions for the entire village to come together and celebrate. The local church played a central role in community life, serving as a place of worship, social gathering, and a source of guidance and support.
Historical Context – from an AI biography on My Heritage Lousa Bravin, née Melosso, was born into a world on the brink of great change. The year 1899 saw Italy in a period of political flux and social transformation as it grappled with its relatively recent unification and industrialization. Her father, Andrea Melosso, would have witnessed Italy’s struggles for independence and unity during his lifetime, which were marked by significant events such as the Third Italian War of Independence (1866) and the capture of Rome (1870). Lousa’s early years in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, an area known for its cultural diversity and linguistic minorities, likely exposed her to a melting pot of traditions and languages. When Lousa married Anibale ‘Pete’ Bravin in 1921, Europe had just emerged from the devastation of World War I. Italy, having joined the war on the side of the Allies in 1915, experienced economic hardship and social unrest in the post-war years. This tumultuous environment, coupled with the promise of the American Dream, may have influenced the Bravins’ decision to emigrate to the United States. They became part of the massive wave of European immigrants seeking better opportunities abroad in the 1920s before the U.S. Congress passed immigration quotas with laws like the Emergency Quota Act of 1921 and the Immigration Act of 1924. The Bravin family settled in Altoona, Blair, Pennsylvania, during a time when America was transitioning from the Roaring Twenties to the Great Depression and then into the recovery efforts of the New Deal era. Altoona, with its thriving railroad industry, offered employment opportunities that attracted many immigrants. By the 1930s and 1940s, the city reflected broader national trends, including the impact of World War II on domestic life and the subsequent post-war boom that reshaped the American economy and society. Lousa Bravin lived through momentous periods of the 20th century, witnessing the rise of mass media, the civil rights movement, the Cold War, and the technological advancements leading up to the Space Age. She passed away at the age of 91 in 1990, a year marked by global shifts such as the fall of the Berlin Wall the previous November and the dissolution of the Soviet Union shortly thereafter. Her death in Altoona, where she had spent much of her life, came at the close of a century that had seen immense changes in the world she first entered back in 1899.
Last Name Origins The surname Melosso is not a common name, and its origin is not widely documented in mainstream onomastic references. It may be of Italian origin, given the suffix ‘-osso’ which is characteristic of some Italian surnames, often denoting a physical trait or characteristic. The prefix ‘Melo-‘ could derive from ‘melo,’ the Italian word for apple, but without specific genealogical or historical evidence, this is speculative. Further research would be required to determine the exact origin and meaning of the surname Melosso. The last name Bravin is likely of Italian origin. In Italian, ‘bravo’ means ‘good’ or ‘skilled’, and the suffix ‘-in’ can denote a diminutive form or affiliation. Therefore, Bravin might originally have been used to indicate a person who was a good or skilled worker, or possibly the son of someone named Bravo. This surname is more prevalent in northeastern Italy, suggesting regional origins or associations with that area. As with many surnames, the precise etymology can vary based on family history and geographic distribution.
Tim recalls that his parents met in High School where Tim’s father played the trombone, and his mother played the clarinet. A funny story that Charles liked to recall is how he would use the slide of his trombone to tap Wanda. 
telling life stories 