My
childhood ...
Being
the oldest of three daughters, I was the "example" for
my sisters. We were very sheltered, and never were aware of the
problems of being brought up in the Great Depression. Being a Golden
Eaglet Girl Scout, I went to camp from the time I was 10 until I
was 16 years old. I started packing my suitcase the day school let
out, even though I was not going until the first week of August!
At the time, camp cost $8.50 a week, and it was a real privilege
to be able to go.
My
parents were very strict, not very demonstrative, but there when
we really needed help.
My
father didn't think girls needed a college education, consequently,
I had just the basics when I went looking for a job after graduation
in 1938. Having a speech impediment was another reason my father
didn't think I could make it thru college. Little did he know that
it made me more compassionate toward others than he, himself ever
was. Some of his ridicule still burns in my memory. Other than that,
he was a good father. Many fathers of the era were traditional,
not prone to giving affection, but help when needed. Stern and unbending
but tender with my mother, never raising a hand to us unless we
really misbehaved, but we all knew THE LOOK and took notice!
