I recall one time getting in a fight when I was about 10 years old. At that time my family was living in Kennewick, WA which is just across the river from Pasco, where I live now. Up untill the 60’s Kennewick was called a Sundown City meaning the blacks had to be out of there by Sundown. In Pasco they had to live on the East Side of town. So one day when I was out playing on the sidewalk this black girl comes up and starts beating the heck out of me. I was trying to fed her off and asked her, “What did I EVER do to you”? She finally stopped hitting on me. I guess she thought it was MY FAULT she couldn’t be there after sundown. Then we moved to Pasco and she was in my class. I was afraid she might remember me but she didn’t and ALL WAS GOOD.
One wouldn’t have thought there would have been so much prejudice here in these far Northern towns. One has to recall though that here is where they were building the nuclear bomb, and they were bringing in a LOT of people from the SOUTH to work out at HANFORD where they were building it. They brought their predjudice’s with them.
One other fight I had was when I was 12-13 yrs. old with my Step-father. My mother and I each had a dish of ice-cream during the day, so when dinner time came he said I couldn’t have any. I said that isn’t fair and then my mother offered me hers. I said No! we should just divide what was left between all of us. My step-father decided I was going to eat hers and he started shoving it in my mouth. I spit it back out. He then got an extension cord and started hitting me with it and each time he hit me, I would swing around and hit him with my fist. I ended up with bruise’s and welts all over my back and legs. My mother was always passive in what was happening.
I too went from school to school moving around all the time and also being sent to different homes to live. So I NEVER had any close friends in school.
Even though I didn’t actually graduate (got my GED) when the Pasco High 50th reunion came I went to it. Pasco High is where most of the people I remember was. I just got an invitation to our 65th reunion. I haven’t decided yet if I am going or not. The person who heads it up also sent pictures of all those who have passed on. A lot of the REAL POPULAR are no longer here.
I know because of the childhood I had, I hardened my heart so I wouldn’t get hurt anymore. It is very difficult for me to show or feel a lot of emotion.
Those stories should be published
“I know because of the childhood I had, I hardened my heart so I wouldn’t get hurt anymore. It is very difficult for me to show or feel a lot of emotion.”
Me too. I think I was born that way, as from an early age I remember always thinking instead of feeling. Also as my mom was very abusive, I figured I wouldn’t give her or anyone the satisfaction of thinking they were capable of hurting me. My dad taught me to be tough too, in a good way though. Personal responsibility, etc.
Then I read a lot, different historic characters, a lot of them native Americans and how they dealt with things.
A lot of friends and coworkers have called me Mr. Spock. I went to a marriage counselor once and my husband was complaining about my lack of emotion and I wasn’t dependent on him. The counselor tried to explain to him that I was simply a thinker, and though I did feel I didn’t always outwardly express it. And he tried to explain to him that a being marriage partners doesn’t equal codependency. My husband didn’t go back.
Wow. So many sad stories. I could add a few of my own, but it’s not necessary.
One thing that really jumped out at me was this. As sad and horrific as these happenings had to be, what struck me is that these various hardships seemed to turn out such good adults.
Honestly, I tutored for years, and the kids that I encountered over the years all seemed to have lots of stuff, and very few hardships. Most of them didn’t turn out to be the responsible, considerate adults that y’all seem to be. I know it’s a view from afar, but I long ago came to the conclusion that spoiling really does mean SPOILED. As in rotten. As in not much good for anything.
I guess it’s a combination of hardships, difficult relationships, even some abuse.....but giving it over to God to heal and transform makes everything better. As Scripture tells us, we go through turmoil and come out of it for the purpose of helping others in the same situation.
What you and others have overcome and turned around for your own families is a remarkable feat. Kudos to you all.
Your screen name is PERFECT!
*HUG*