Mildred Butland was born in Mt. Carmel, St. Mary's Bay and lived there for 78 years. She was a busy lady, raising 8 children, including two sets of twins. As she reflects on her life, she is thankful for God's many blessings.

MANY BLESSINGS

I was born on December 12, 1918, in Mount Carmel. My maiden name was Nolan. My parents were Thomas and Winnifred Nolan. My father was from Mt. Carmel and my mother was a Power from North Harbour.

I completed grade ten in Mt. Carmel, got married at age twenty to Stephen Butland from O'Donnell's. We had eight children, including two sets of twins. Times were hard, but we managed. In those times men had to go away to work and the woman had the responsibility of raising the children and doing outside work. We had no electricity, running water, indoor plumbing or telephones. Electricity came to Mt. Carmel in 1961.

I liked to cook (bread, rolls, cakes, puddings, beans, stews, pea soup and dumplings). I made my own fresh butter. Even after we had the electric stove, I still cooked mostly on the wood stove. I was told it tasted better (ha, ha).

My most thoughtful memories were our family gatherings at home – Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day and Thanksgiving. We all went to Church, then had a big home-cooked meal. My children did the dishes (boys included). We would chat, tell stories. My husband Steve would sing all the old-time songs and then a little squabble among 25 of us where to bunk down for the night. The grandchildren usually got their own way, especially with Poppy.

The good times always outweighed the bad. God bestowed many blessings on me during my life.