G'evening friends,
While looking for something entirely different yesterday, I happened on a
Being as I have nothing else to yak about, I thought I'd share some with y'all. (If you want, just click on these pictures to enlarge.)
Postmarked June 1957.
Sure, I was a naïve child. But seriously? I don't recall seeing this before, but it means so much that Daddy kept it. (Dime and all!)
Later that year, a programme from our time aboard RMS Queen Mary.
B-O-R-I-N-G!
(…they cried as they flung themselves into the North Atlantic. Ha!)
By all accounts, my first few years at Central Elementary were enjoyable. Then! Then came cursive.
Given my continuing struggle with certain letters, teacher's Third Period remarks are prophetic!
Things certainly changed when I began Fourth Grade.
Oh my goodness. How I wish I had discovered this before my father's untimely death.
What had Mr. H. written, that my father felt necessary to obliterate?
H's last paragraph, so condescending. But, I'm delighted to find out he found me a challenge. (A******)
Realizing I'd see this someday, I love what my dad wrote here.
I strongly suspect this had something to do with my parents move to the north mesa and a new school district. Probably, too, the reason my mother went to work to help defray costs.
Do you believe that black-outs can happen to anyone? Sure, I get it where Major Violence/Trauma/what-have-you, can cause a person to have no recollection of an incident.
But that always happened to the 'other guy.'
Recently, I shared something with Tom that happened in Fifth Grade … so humiliating I can't put it down in print. His reaction, simply that (his) mother and father would have owned that school.
 |
| Front and center. 1960. |
Yet, if my very life depended on it, I couldn't tell you what happened after. There's just this big black hole. Has anything like that happened to you?
Of course, things got better. I was never particularly intelligent … witty … athletic. Certainly not pretty. But that's OK. Thank God for second and third chances!
Looking at today's coeds - some as young as Junior High - I marvel at their poise. God bless 'em, ya know?
Anyway. I'm still not sure why this post. Probably the many school buses that populate Chapman Road each morning. But neither can I dismiss the distant aroma of rubber boots and slickers, glue pots, chalk dust ... and brand new books.
Do you remember?
Have a sweet new week … stay safe!
Hugs, Myra
Awww... sweet memories (mostly!). I love your dad for what he wrote. You were/are pretty, Myra. Cute as a button in that photo, front & center. Thanks for sharing with us!!
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you so much!
DeleteOh my goodness - what a treasure box. I LOVE that note supporting you from your dad - how I wished I had one! Awesome.
ReplyDeleteGod made you the way you are and as far as I know - he doesn't make junk or mistakes.
Love, sandie
You're right … I need to remember that!
DeleteLord, girl, you found a treasure chest! I wish I had all those things from my own childhood. Unfortunately, we moved so much, all those wonderful memories were lost in transition. I don't believe a word about you not being smart, witty, or pretty! You are all of that and more!
ReplyDeleteGrace & Peace,
Pam
Well, Pam, you just made my day! Thanks!
DeleteGirl, it is strange how our lives parallel. Just yesterday I was going thru stuff from yesteryear, things the boys wrote to their mom and what I wrote to them from over seas.
ReplyDeleteBUT I enjoyed the read. Surely not every one has been humiliated in school, but for a fact some were(me included). WE cannot change what that holds, but we can learn life goes on. Also we can KNOW there are some idiots in this world. lol.
Yes, I know it must boggle your mine the redaction on that page, what did he blackout?
And yes, some parents do make notes that they know will be read by their off spring and give them a boost. SWEET what your dad noted.
Take care, love from NC
Sherry & jack
Great advice, Jack. Life goes on... woo-hoo!
DeleteI love to sift through cherished items that evoke pleasant memories. You have found a treasure chest.
ReplyDeleteYou and I seem to have shared very similar negative attitudes about ourselves during childhood (which, for me, extended into adulthood). You're so fortunate to have had such a loving and supportive father.
My father was the sole cause of my intense self-hatred....
As for "black-outs", I've never had any (perhaps I should have). I seem to remember ALL of the horrible things that ever happened to me - which probably explains why I'm an emotional wreck.
(should I insert a halfhearted *smile* here?)
I hear you, Jon. Halfhearted *smile* and all!
DeleteHow cool with your find and I'm glad you shared what you shared with us. I'm so thankful your dad took the time to write that for you to read. He believed in you and of course loved you fiercely!
ReplyDeleteWe honeymooned on the Queen Mary docked in Long Beach :)
I don't have a black hole after a traumatic event (and so sorry you had to live through that) but I did completely forget about something I had done before and then recently remembered it 10 years later (it was a good thing, I'm blogging about it in the next few weeks). Its funny how our minds work but you know a lot of people in horrific accidents don't remember them. Maybe that's God's kindness to us? And perhaps that is it in your case?
Went to the Cheesecake Factory today to bring in dessert tomorrow for when the family comes over for dinner. Thought of you! Our selections (minus me cause I never get desert) were Reece's Peanut Butter Chocolate cake (step granddaughter) original (wee one who when hearing us mention cheesecake said "I want cheesecake" only to be disappointed he had to wait 2 days), hubby carrot cake, DIL lemon meringue (I'm looking forward to having a bite) and son caramel pecan turtle (his original choice was key lime only to change it to this one). DIL did mention the pumpkin one and I do remember that was a favorite of yours!
betty
God's kindness … I like that!
DeleteAlmost as much as I like Cheesecake Factory … more than 100 miles away. (Insert 'sad' face.)
I just realized I typed dessert as desert, mind is fried because I live in the desert :)
ReplyDeletebetty
Hahahaha!
DeleteYou found a treasure box from yesteryear. But to God, you are a treasure and have always been.
ReplyDeleteThe coin you gave your dad shows a generosity of spirit you had and still have from way back then. A most important quality I should say.
God bless you and yours.
Again, you've touched my heart. Thank you, Victor!
DeleteThese days they'd probably have diagnosed you as ADD. The teacher comments sound so much like what I heard for 12 loooooong years from my daughter's teachers. Far too many of them focused on the negative instead of building on the strengths. I fought and fought and Megan got more and more discouraged until a familiar refrain was "Why bother trying at all. I'm dumb and I'm not going to get it." I wish there had been alternatives then like the charter school my son's kids attend. At least you had your parents in your corner. So cool what your dad wrote and that they were willing to move and Mom to get a job to make it possible.
ReplyDeleteYou know, that's something I never considered. Today's students would be cracking up over the course material back then.
DeleteA treasure indeed. I love old boxes of pictures and artifacts from another time.
ReplyDeleteOnly as I become vintage, have I begun to appreciate such things.
Deleteon no, your writng was not good? me to and remove the A's from your card and it is mine. I don't think I ever got an A.. I love all the photos and letters.. have the black part analized, I am dying to know what that stupid teacher said. God bless your dad for having your back. I may have been sent to the office for talking a few times in my life which made it easier to understand my 7th grade son who was suspended for 2 days for making chicken clucking sounds in class, and went told to sit outside the door, he continued clucking.... I love you now and wish we couldhave been in school together, the plus on the wish is I would be younger than I am. I love the post and we continue to be sistas… the only black out I can remember was caused by trauma of a 3 roll, rollover in a car accident
ReplyDeleteOh, I remember you telling about that car accident! (Goosebumps.) Your son's 'clucking' incident is soooo funny!
DeleteSuch memories, Myra! I doubt I have anything to remind me about my old school days, unless they're in my mother's attic (and probably eaten by some unwanted critter). Love that your dad provided encouragement, and I'll be the first to say that you WERE/are pretty! Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
How I wish, before he passed - that I hadn't taken my father's love for granted.
DeleteWhat a sweet blessing finding those treasures. I often wonder where all my report cards and other school photos disappeared to after mom's passing.I did find something belonging to my older brother Ed from mom's cedar chest. I had a few black out from my VP shunt days. Once at a convention in New Orleans with Princess House. All the loud music and 20,000 plus crowd of people. Fortunately my friend Sandy was with me and she was a nurse. She told the PH people to get a us ride to our hotel or I would raise heck if they dare to call an ambulance. They took us via their limo with the CEO's private driver. He dropped us at the front door of our hotel and Sandy got me settled safely in my room and stayed with me. Her kindess was amazing.I could share more but you know me and writing a novella here. HUGS and LOVE
ReplyDeleteOMW, Anne … that had to be so frightening! God bless Sandy - and, of course, the CEO and his driver!
DeleteThose are some sweet memories. Thank you for sharing them here. Actually I only some select memories from my childhood. I blocked a lot out. I'm guessing it was because of my mother's depressing and drinking.
ReplyDeleteUnderstandable, indeed. I'm so sorry, Debby.
DeleteWhat memories you found and shared here, Myra. I do not have any of my childhood report cards or other documents. I'm not sure where they all went and unfortunately I can't recall much of what was in them.
ReplyDeletePerhaps that's for the best? I constantly have to remind myself to look forward.
Delete