Lynn’s Small Recollections & Reflections #3
When I was young, I felt very lonely!
Sure, I had friends in my neighborhood but not so much when I went to school. Interestingly enough the kids who lived by me didn’t play with me at school or they went to the Catholic school.
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I had one friend at school. She was an only child and her Mom was always sick. We weren’t ever invited to play dodgeball or other games as we weren’t good at sports.
So we swang on the swings and shared our lives with each other. She could never have friends over (I went to her house one time) and she could never come to my house because she was needed at home.
I remember that her Mom died sometime when we were in grade school and we drifted apart after that.
My Haircuts
It’s clear from my school pictures that my Mom was my hairstylist and not really great at it.
She cut my hair, permed my hair, and fried it with a very old metal curling iron that was about 1/4″ in diameter.
My Clothes
I also was the kid who wore my sister’s hand-me-downs. Don’t get me wrong, I was never more excited than when I could finally fit into the white lace with blue velvet flower dress that once was my sister’s.
However I’m sure that having been worn before and stored for 6 + years, these clothes weren’t in the best condition and certainly not in style.
I remember the very first outfit that I picked out myself that was brand new. I got it for my birthday (August 24th) and I wore it to the first day of Jr. High.
The outfit was a bright green sweater with green and pink skorts. I loved it, however, I got sent to the Principal’s office by my homeroom teacher because it was “shorts” and also too short!
My Mom had to come to school and boy was she mad that I wasn’t allowed to wear this outfit.
I was just embarrassed and defeated!
I’m sure that I had other clothes that were bought just for me but that is the only outfit that sticks out in my mind.
My Academic Career
I never did very well in school and I remember once when my parents came home from a parent-teacher conference, they sat down with me and told me that I needed to do better in school and they would help me with my homework.
Both of them sat with me at the dining room table that night while I struggled with my math.
It was the last night I remember getting help with my homework.
I don’t think it was from a lack of wanting to help me but I don’t know that my Mom understood the math any better than I did and my Dad was just busy being a Dad.
I know now that I am far from stupid but I learn differently. I’m a tactile learner. Back in the 60s, there wasn’t a place for out-of-the-box learning.
I was also a daydreamer and had a very hard time paying attention in class.
I’m sure that I would have benefited from some ADD meds. To this day I have a hard time staying on task. I have a million things going on in my head all the time.
My Athleticism
I was not a kid who played any kind of sports.
I was clumsy and my Mom sent me to ballet lessons hoping that I would gain some kind of coordination. That clearly was a waste of money.
I was a cheerleader but the only way that happened was by joining the church cheerleading squad as they took anyone who wanted to participate.
The Birds & the Bees
I wasn’t much of a reader when I was young but I sure could have learned from reading Judy Bloom’s books.
When I worked for Scholastic years later, I read the Judy Bloom books for the first time and how I wished Judy had been a part of my life when I was younger.
My only interaction with my parents about sex or my body happened in 5th grade when we went to see “the movie” and our moms had to attend.
On the way home, my Mom asked me in the car if I had any questions and I said “No”. Nothing was ever discussed again. (this period is kind of a pun).
Next week: The time I got left at church!
Peace and Love,
Judy Bloom Books
#1 – The Introduction
#2 – My Parents and their Friends in the 60s
#4 – The Day I Ran Away TO Home
#5 – The Tornado
#6 – Moving Away from My Friends
Lynn, what a wonderful post. Thankyou for taking the time to share your recollections. I need to go back and read your other posts. I’ve been blogging for almost 14 years now and this is the kind of post many of us shared. We had the most endearing community, but that “spirit” really isn’t here now. Friends yes, but no context and backstory. I’ve been ill most of the time of blogging; worse this last 5 years or so and it’s so hard to share our personal and health issues. I recently had a major diagnosis which has been forever in coming. But… I was iffy on sharing my real life. Loved all the precious photos. Keep it coming, friend!
Hi Debra – I’m so glad that you came to visit my recollections series. I honestly am doing it for my kids but I also really want to inspire others to write things down too. I’m pretty much an open book and I really want to connect with my readers. We show pretty pictures and creative things but I’m really wanting everyone to know that they aren’t the only ones who have struggles along the way. You are right that the community of before isn’t the same. I don’t even have Google search these posts because it’s not what Google “likes”. At this point in my life, I’m not really concerned about doing things just to make Google happy.
I’m so sorry to hear that you haven’t been well. Dealing with health issues is so hard. I will be saying prayers for you!
Those pics of you through the years are precious. No w I remember why I had a “crush” on you. The P of P cheerleaders pic. I can name for sure you and Jerry Chouinard. A couple of others look familiar and the rest I don’t remember. Keep the story going.
I can’t remember any of their names 🙂 Several of them look familiar to me too but no clue who they are.