The only seatbelt I ever had was my mama’s arm. I can remember riding up in the rear window and even climbing over the seats during a car ride. Road trips were humdrum because back then we didn’t have things like cell phones or iPads. We listened to whatever music my parents liked, which was usually country radio. Back then, I thought country music was so uncool. If you asked a perfectly reasonable question, like how much longer, you would get a seething look through the rear-view mirror that deterred any further nonsense. Dad refused to stop for anything except gas. You learned to suffer through starvation and bladder pain preparing you for instances in your life when food and restrooms would not be available. He wasn’t a softy like my grandmother, who would make my grandfather stop so she could hold me outside the car door so I could do my business.
We didn’t have sunscreen. My mother would drop us off at the pool with nothing but a towel and some nose plugs. My brother and I would be as brown as coffee beans by the end of the summer. I don’t remember ever getting a sunburn which is weird because I sunburn now all the time. It’s a wonder we weren’t all dehydrated too because nobody drank water. I lived on red Kool-Aid for years. I guess that’s sort of like water.
Sometimes I wonder how we survived the long hot summers. We weren’t allowed to come inside except for a quick lunch. Mom was too busy putting 10 layers of wallpaper on the living room walls. We’d walk the neighborhood without supervision and go into some stranger’s house feeling safe. We’d drink their drinks and eat their food, not worrying about poison or evil intentions.
We learned early on to never, under any circumstances, say we were bored. If I made that mistake mom would hand me a broom and tell me to sweep the pine needles off the driveway. I knew better than to sass, or I’d get a whipping with a switch which I had to find outside. I’d get a small, wimpy switch but the joke was on me. They hurt the worst. I learned early not to cry and whine because of the threat I’ll give you something to cry about. I never knew what that was, but it sounded bad. Real bad.
I learned to ride a bike on my own when I was five years old. It was my brother’s bike and was very painful when I slipped, if you know what I mean. I didn’t have a helmet or pads for my knees, elbows or butt. No video documentation, just my own fading memories.
But guess what? I did survive. I’m 59 years old and a productive member of society. My parents didn’t coddle me but gave me the coping skills I needed for this life like starving myself or holding my bladder until I’m floating. I wouldn’t change anything about my childhood. I didn’t have everything I wanted but I had all I ever needed. I’m thankful for every lesson I learned and for every obstacle I overcame. I’m thankful for the simpler times that I was fortunate enough to grow up in. The key is love. My parents loved me. Period. They weren’t perfect and neither am I. Only Jesus is perfect. Most importantly, I also have the love of my Heavenly Father, the example and teachings of Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit AND that’s ALL I’ll EVER need for this life. I’m all set!
Karen G. Bruce 