My mother sent the perfect Valentine to me, my brother and sisters today. To understand the "story", you need to know her father (my grandfather) was killed in a chemical plant explosion; her husband (my father) was then also in a chemical plant explosion 29 years later. My parents recently celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary. I am too far away to share the chocolate pie she mentions with them tonight, but my husband and I will celebrate with a chocolate pie of our own!! - Ellen

Here is what she wrote:

"HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO YOU ALL!

It was 50 years ago today Dad was in the explosion at Dow. He was not home by 6 PM so I sat you girls down (Paul, you were there, in utero) and I fed you your hamburgers. It is still very clear in my mind. The call came at 6:05 that Dad was on his way to the Dow Medical building, but he was sitting up in the ambulance. I do not know who I got to come stay with you when I went. They kept him at the Dow facility because they were doing a new treatment by not covering the burns and they were afraid he would get an infection at the hospital. Now this is the standard treatment for burns.

Every Valentine's Day I am thankful he got such good care. My father died of his burns in April 1933. Of course Dad's were not as horrible as my Dad's were. But I still thank God and the doctors for his recovery.

I will have a chocolate pie today and if you have time, stop over this evening before 10 PM and share some with us.

Lots of Love, MOM"