Fifty ... the first 10

Fifty.... Fifty.... oh, my where did the time go and how did I get here....

I've been thinking a lot about what to post at this momentous occasion... and things have passed through my mind and I've had to edit and have thought of some things that make me who I am and maybe help me through the day or days past.

So, Since this is my 5Th decade I think I will break it down in to decades:

The 1st decade of my life....

What's to say .... middle daughter of Bill and Juanita, younger sister of Teresa & Brenda; older sister of Scott and Mark. Little ol' family living on a dirt road out side of a small town in Central Pa. A small three bedroom home with one bathroom, one yellow wall phone that still hangs by the basement door. House, garage and assorted toys occupying 2 acres of green, green, green grass. Not a inch of pavement to be seen. There were neighbors within shouting distance; but, you wouldn't be able to throw a rock and hit the side of their barn. It wasn't a home of wealth (but, at that age I didn't realize we were on the poorer side of the track)

I remember being told I was born with a hole in my heart... no, don't fret it closed all on it's own... but; that's my claim to fame in the family...

I remember Mom with dark, dark hair, beautiful eyes and a yearning for her children to do better... I remember loaves of warm bread and rolls and cinnamon rolls hot and sweet... I remember my mother becoming a working mother in a local factory and her driving to work in a car without my father in it... I remember back rubs when sick and sitting on chairs when I was bad ..... I remember practising my writing and having pen and paper in hand... I remember her giving me hair cuts that resembled bowls and short, short bangs... I remember a sense of yearning coming from within her ... with 5 children... probably wishing for some peace and quiet... a lot less work and worry.... a little me time ...

I remember a Dad with dark, curly hair, small of stature, an intense nature to fix all things and to build.... a hard working man ... a heavy, yellow equipment operator in a strip coal mine, losing his hearing to the machine and having his lungs and soul coated in coal dust...a man that drank a little, a man that had a lot of friends in need of car and equipment repairs and who was willing to lend a hand.... a man who tried his best in spite of how he was raised.... a man of anger and rage and then a man full of remorse...

I remember being the middle .... my oldest sister and my youngest brother were a pair... my next next oldest sister and my oldest brother were a pair... I remember wishing I was a part of a "pair"....

I remember an outhouse in the back yard...(yeah, we lived in the country)

I remember a chicken coop with chickens.... I remember that chickens will scare snakes that dare to enter the back yard...

I remember holidays with gifts overflowing, baskets hid, birthdays....

I remember falling in the mud of the dirt driveway running to get on the bus... I remember running to my oldest sisters arms and crying in them... the bus driver waiting while I went and changed into a clean dress..

I remember a wonderful, neighbor lady (Mrs. Pifer) who was a saint in my eyes and offered a sanctuary of calm, peace and quiet when and if ever needed... I remember walks in the woods, playing domino's at the kitchen table, I remember pink candies, home made cream puffs, sleep overs at her house, her homemade quilts.. her taking my sisters and I to church each Sunday and sitting holding her hand while we listened to the "fire and brimstone"...

I remember Sunday drives with a stop at a local grocery store... to pick up 8oz cold bottles of pop in flavors that bring a smile now... grape, orange, red, root beer... Coca-Cola was only used when we were sick and we had to take those big nasty penicillin pills... it was an exotic drink not for children...

I remember my third grade teacher, Mrs. Ogden... at that time we had maybe 30 children in a class and an art teacher who traveled from room to room and school to school in our area. We were instructed to draw a bird... all the children drew a bird standing on the ground... except me... my bird was flying through the air... what would the shrinks of today say about that... hmmm...

I remember days of learning.... to read and loving the feel of a book in my hands, I loved my grade school I attended... I loved writing in the tablets, the smell of crayons and paint, never ate glue... don't understand why one would... loved the little yellow bus we rode to and from school each day...

Living was good in the 60's in a little ol' house, with a little family, with a dog in the back yard, indoor plumbing and a yellow phone with a party line... not bad... wouldn't know any other way...

Are you still with me?? Well, stay tuned for the 2nd Decade... share your thoughts and feelings... leave a note...