Tuesday, September 14, 2021

 The year was 1954

It was one of the last years when ALL of the Lee family would be on the farm.  Ronald and Janet were going to high school in Lidgerwood, Dave and Joan were going to Wood lake School, Carmen was waiting for school to start the next fall and Helen was coming up on birthday #2.  Little did anybody know that before long the family would be scattered far and wide with college, then work and more.  Above ALL that there was of course no idea that the years of our family being together were numbered as Ronald died in 1964 and Janet in 1966.

But for now, Christmas vacation of 1951 all was good.  Ronald always the guy who had an idea or wanted you to see something created havoc during Christmas vacation.  In showing brother Dave who was 7 and Carmen who was 4 he wanted us to know how he kicked the football in high school.  Not thinking about the fact that he was 6' 2" he, with this wide smile on his face wanted to show us how he did the kick off but he did not factor in the law hanging living room light and it smashed to the floor as his right foot almost hit the ceiling!  Dave and I were startled at first but then thought it was funny but that did not sit very well with Mom and Dad.  Enough of that!  Janet was somewhat quiet as she had so many friends in high school and did not like being away from them for too long.  I might add we met several of her male friends from time to time. Joan, at the age of 9 was forced into being Mom big helper as those high school girls kind of forgot how to be a BIG help.  Dave and I had two things going.  First of all we were taken up in big brother Ronald and knew he was smart and could do no wrong.  We also got super Christmas gifts as Dave got his erector set and I got my Lincoln Logs.  And of course there were sledding behind the outdoor toilet and huge piles of snow to play in.  Of course everyone wanted a piece of baby Helen as that little cutie was up for all the attention!

It was a time of innocence for us except I am not so sure about Ronald and Janet!!!  It was ALWAYS super fun to have them come home as I, a 4 year old, thought the sun came up and went down with Ronald.

As I now sit back with a refreshing drink and reminisce of those times it often brings a smile or a tear when so much comes to mind.  Of course there were even many many more times as we got older and "big brother or big sister" came to visit.  There were special friends that came at times and I did not like that!  It seemed that when those friends came Ronal or Janet had little time for me!!!  Then weddings came and all was good again as visits were once again fun with things to do with older siblings.  Of course I remember the rifle Ronald gave me.  Both John and Ronald had boats which meant water skiing which was fun.  Of course as a teenager I thought I was pretty hot stuff in my blue stretch swimsuit as I showed off my skiing skills on ONE ski.  We will not go any farther than that in that subject!  

So here I am.  I admit I am not young any more and have not been for a long time.  I am finding that it takes longer to get in gear in the morning!  I find that now getting up from the chair often finds me using a hand to push off!  AND yes it is easier to put on pounds and harder to take them off.  I guess it goes with the territory and I have no complaints.  So here we are another day and not sure there is another dollar but for sure there are things to do, places to go and work to be done so will sign off.

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