The first two years of high school were full of activities. I always had a lot of fun and a lot of friends. Berta Mae and I determined that we were going to earn a big D to put on a red Letterman sweater. There were so many things to do like 75 miles of bike riding, 75 miles of hiking, 1 one handed push up, 10 two handed push ups, 200 sit ups. Things like that.
We would have my brother or someone drive us and our bicycles out on the Sidney rode and we rode back. Hiking was no problem, we had been doing that in the hills since we were in grade school. We had also had a man coach in junior high who had us do lots of exercises so we were good at the sit ups and push ups. Probably the hardest was the one handed push up.
Anyway we did earn our letters and I believe we were the youngest ones to do it. I liked wearing my sweater with the big D which was almost like the football players.
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| Montana State champions 1950 #80 John, #70 George, #84 Chuck, #99 Harry, #83 Andy, #76 Bernie, #81 Bill, #90 Dean, #77 Lee |
Although my Dad also liked to take us to all the basketball games, too. We also went to all the baseball and softball games. In the winter the baseball field was flooded and we ice skated and socialized by the fire stove in the wood shed. So much of our life revolved around the sports and the dances that followed. We even liked to sit and watch the boys at football practice and would take their picture.
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| Carole, the Cheerleader |
The football field was just a block from my home and the swimming pool where we spent most of our summer was across the street from that.
The swimming pool was large and round with a shallow edge all the way around and benches to sit on plus lots of grass. We were always getting a tan and would sit and play cards and eat and socialize. One of our favorite games was canasta.
As we approached age 16 many had to work during the day so there were not as many as often but we all loved to be there--even in the evenings. There was a huge canopied band stand which was fun to sit and talk in and it was the place for festive holiday celebrations.
I started working as a soda jerk at Brenner's and I really liked it but they soon found out I was not yet 16 and I had to quit. We made wonderful sundaes at Brenner's like Peanut Butter Hot Fudge, and Banana Splits with three kinds of ice cream and three kinds of topping, double chocolate malts and phosphates with marshmallow cream in them. Brenner's was across from the bus stop so there would be moments when several people were waiting and in a hurry for a drink or malt.
One time I made a man a malt and he said he just wanted a shake and there were a whole lot of anxious travelers waiting. Dick was also there. I felt so flustered and pressured. I am not sure just how I handled it but I remember Dick making a helpful suggestion. Brenner's was a gathering place after school for many years. Someone started the fashion of cinnamon sticks from there. You would buy a little bottle of cinnamon oil from the pharmacist and put toothpicks in it to suck on.
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| Janet The Flag Twirler |
I did not try out for any plays at school. Acting was something I definitely did not feel comfortable with but Berta Mae and Kay always participated.
It amazes me the time that our teachers spent on plays, follies, choir, tennis, band and other sports. We were given so much opportunity. Our gym teacher did girls basketball and flag twirling, for instance.
We had a one hour study period so we really did not have to take many books home. When our senior English teacher had us do a term paper we really thought she was out of line but she said she was preparing us for college. Even though school work did not seem particularly time consuming I was still placed in an advanced English course at college. We had had excellent English teachers all through elementary, junior high and high school. The math was more difficult for me and I never wanted to miss a class for fear of getting behind.
It amazes me the time that our teachers spent on plays, follies, choir, tennis, band and other sports. We were given so much opportunity. Our gym teacher did girls basketball and flag twirling, for instance.
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| Berta Mae, Chuck, Norma Kay, Kay, Lorraine from left. Bill in center with hat. |
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| Playing in the mud after leaving the Badlands. |
Mr. Moody was my study hall teacher one year. Dale used to sit in front of me and we would talk and talk and he usually said things to make me giggle. Mr. Moody called me up to scold me and said he thought I must have been vaccinated with a phonograph needle. Berta and I had a crush on Mr. Moody in sixth grade and would hang out in front of his apartment where he lived with his wife. They were nice to us but I am sure we were a nuisance.
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| Loved my cowboy boots |
I had my first car accident about a year later when I was licensed. It was a cold evening with the roads full of ice and I was down town. Carole says she was with me and hid under the dash when all the excitement started. All that happened is I put the brakes on at the stop sign and the car just kept going and slid into another car going through the intersection. I don't know who called my Dad but he was soon there. I was scared to death and wanted him to drive us home but he wouldn't do it. He told me to get back in the car and drive home. And he was gentle about it. It was probably very wise of him. I may never have driven again.
Our lockers were alphabetical so Lee was next to me and he and Bernie used to always hang around but it was Bernie's brother Mike who liked to dance with me and asked me to a formal dance. He was two years older. I liked him but nothing too special.
Then Norm (Andy) began paying attention to me at all the parties and asked me to a formal dance and I became sweet on him. During grade school and part of junior high my boyfriend had always been George so mostly now I just enjoyed the whole scene of being interested in boys and hoping someone would dance with me at the dances.
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| Sieve kept her saddle shoes so white. |
It was in high school that I learned of the prostitutes that had a place on the other side of the bridge outside the city limits. I could also recognize them when they came in the store. One time when I was cashiering I watched my Dad selling a couple of them some shoes. He appeared a little flustered to me but kept his cool, smiling and laughing and being very polite, but he was blushing.
Once when their 'house' was flooded it was moved up to a vacant lot behind the Heights. I am not sure what the intention was as it couldn't be operated from there. Maybe it was sold to someone for them to live in. I am not sure but some of us girls decided to investigate what was inside when we found it was completely deserted. It was pretty messy but we got the general idea of what went on in there and learned a few things we probably did not need to know from all the trash that was laying around.
Once when their 'house' was flooded it was moved up to a vacant lot behind the Heights. I am not sure what the intention was as it couldn't be operated from there. Maybe it was sold to someone for them to live in. I am not sure but some of us girls decided to investigate what was inside when we found it was completely deserted. It was pretty messy but we got the general idea of what went on in there and learned a few things we probably did not need to know from all the trash that was laying around.
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| Being thrown from a horse at Helen's Ranch was the start of my back problems. |
This reminds me of why their house was flooded. The Yellowstone River would become frozen in the winter and an Ice Derby was held each year. The idea was to see who could guess when the ice would break and start flowing. There was a prize for the winner. One problem that often occurred, however, was the ice jamming and the water flowing over into the park and flooding the houses on the low side of the bridge.
There were lots of cute boys to have crushes on but nothing really special until Harry. The next year of high school, my junior year, was really to be exceptional because of him.
Since my sister was just two years older than I, I was always included in the big parties and picnics from the time I was a freshman in high school. We had a lot of group parties and dances but did not necessarily date individuals much. I remember when Phyllis, also a year older, found out I was actually a year younger than she was. She thought I was in my sister's class. The parties would usually include certain people from Marilyn's down to my class--three years.
I think I actually still liked my childhood sweetheart, George, though he had actually left me for other prettier girls long before, but I liked Andy and Mike somewhat also. At least I usually had someone that asked me to dance after the football and basketball games in my freshman and sophomore years. Other fellows I kind of had a crush on were Dean--(dated him once and we didn't have a word to say to each other and he later became Berta Mae's boyfriend) and another Dean who was four years older and a football player. I remember accidentally walking into him once and nearly fainting.
I think I actually still liked my childhood sweetheart, George, though he had actually left me for other prettier girls long before, but I liked Andy and Mike somewhat also. At least I usually had someone that asked me to dance after the football and basketball games in my freshman and sophomore years. Other fellows I kind of had a crush on were Dean--(dated him once and we didn't have a word to say to each other and he later became Berta Mae's boyfriend) and another Dean who was four years older and a football player. I remember accidentally walking into him once and nearly fainting.
The first I really became interested in Harry as a romantic interest I think was one night when we had stopped to talk to Harry and some of the boys in his car. We used to walk up and down Main Street and, of course, the idea was to casually "run" into the boys. They had National Guard on Tuesday night so that was a great time to go downtown around 9 pm in the summer.
Everyone, even the older people, liked to park on Main Street and just watch the people walk or drive by. It was not necessarily a slutty thing to do. Anyway this was in the summer and evidently this one night I snapped back a smart remark to Harry even though I was quite shy. The other girls got into the car for a ride and I wouldn't and so he got out of the car and began chasing me around the car--I finally got in (it was late and I shouldn't be walking home alone). I think I started to liking him that night.
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| Harry played basketball, too! |
Everyone, even the older people, liked to park on Main Street and just watch the people walk or drive by. It was not necessarily a slutty thing to do. Anyway this was in the summer and evidently this one night I snapped back a smart remark to Harry even though I was quite shy. The other girls got into the car for a ride and I wouldn't and so he got out of the car and began chasing me around the car--I finally got in (it was late and I shouldn't be walking home alone). I think I started to liking him that night.
The next dance several of us got a ride home with Harry again. He ended up dropping everyone off but me till I was the last one in the car. Naturally he asked me to get up in front with him. I did live the furthest away except for Deloris so it was not too obvious though I remember Dick giving him the sly eye and some remark as he was dropped off.
I remember I was wearing a grey skirt and peasant blouse and red espadrille shoes so the night must have really impressed me to remember what I wore. We talked a little and then Harry walked me to the door. I decided he really was very nice as I learned more about him. I think he asked me for a date. He was going to be a Senior and I was going to be a Junior and I was 16 and 3/4. I had been sort of kissed goodnight after a dance by Mike and Andy but the kiss goodnight he gave me was my first kiss that actually meant anything. It was actually quite thrilling and I can still remember exactly how we stood and where we put our arms, etc. Of course, my brother Dick, walked from his house to my house at exactly the same time so that was a little embarrassing.
I remember I was wearing a grey skirt and peasant blouse and red espadrille shoes so the night must have really impressed me to remember what I wore. We talked a little and then Harry walked me to the door. I decided he really was very nice as I learned more about him. I think he asked me for a date. He was going to be a Senior and I was going to be a Junior and I was 16 and 3/4. I had been sort of kissed goodnight after a dance by Mike and Andy but the kiss goodnight he gave me was my first kiss that actually meant anything. It was actually quite thrilling and I can still remember exactly how we stood and where we put our arms, etc. Of course, my brother Dick, walked from his house to my house at exactly the same time so that was a little embarrassing.
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| The Gold Football |
We did begin to date and he was fullback on the football team. We took State Champions that year and all the football team received gold footballs that they wore around their necks with a chain.
One time when he was at our house
my younger sister Carole said something
to Harry like--"How come you don't
give that football to Janet?"
This was what you did to show you were going steady. Harry was actually quite shy behind all the teasing exterior and
it seemed to be the momentum
he needed to ask me to go steady.
We were at a party at our house and
I remember somehow being cornered
in the hall for a moment when he
asked me. I, of course, said yes, though
I was terribly embarrassed that Carole
had done that but I did love to wear that football. I have no idea when I returned it.
Harry and Berta Mae were Catholic
so Dean and I went to Midnight Mass
with them at Christmas. We sat up in
the balcony and Dean and I just sat on
the benches but Harry and Berta Mae were kneeling most of the time. We did have a lot of interesting discussions about religion--most of my friends were Methodist or Catholic with a few Lutherans sprinkled in. Marilyn and I were the only Mormons but we always defended our stand and never wavered.
At Easter time I always like to go to Sunrise Service with the Methodists and then we would go to the basement of the Church and have eggs, sausage, hot cross buns and orange juice. I remember one year we went to wake up our Catholic friends after. The Lutherans had their Christmas dinner with lutefisk I think it was. I actually liked it.
At Easter time I always like to go to Sunrise Service with the Methodists and then we would go to the basement of the Church and have eggs, sausage, hot cross buns and orange juice. I remember one year we went to wake up our Catholic friends after. The Lutherans had their Christmas dinner with lutefisk I think it was. I actually liked it.
After Midnight Mass one year Harry took me to a little party at his home and I met his mother and the policeman she was going to marry. At the party they were having pickled pigs feet as a specialty and I did not want to eat any. Years later when I was married my husband asked the gardener if he wanted to make us a special Mexican dinner--he did and it was stacks of pickled pigs feet tacos!
At any rate Harry and Dean and Berta and I double dated quite often. Dean was quiet and Harry was always full of fun and Dean would go along with him. One night we saw a pig near the ballpark and they determined they needed to catch him. It was hilarious, I drove and tried to follow them down alleys and up streets as they tried to get the pig. I do not remember the outcome.
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| Mary Jane, Kay, Jackie, Berta, Betty, Viola, Deloris, Lorraine, Janet Birthday Party for Berta Mae |
Harry was injured in football that first fall we dated and I was visiting him at the hospital and feeling very shy. He always put his arm around me or held my hand and made me feel very secure as if he would take care of me, no matter what, I liked that.
The following spring we went to the Junior Prom with Deloris and Skilly. Skilly's girlfriend Maureen had already graduated and must have been at college. A whole group of us had dinner at the Depot because our parents did not want us driving all the way to Wibaux. It was supposedly chicken for dinner but it was not very good and someone suggested it may have been rabbit!
Oh, that is another thing we did in the winter is to drive out to the country and turn out the lights and wait a little and then turn them on and the whole field would get up and run--rabbits! The boys would shoot them and sell the pelts for money.
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| Janet and Phyllis have a laugh |
Harry had a sister Henrietta who married and we went to her country wedding dance. I had never been to one before and it was so much fun I had wished we had weddings like that. I met lots of his relatives that night.
Our dates mostly consisted of movie nights, dances after the games, house parties at our house, Hanrahan's, or Chouinard's or picnics out at Riverview Park. Sometimes we went horseback riding at night with the whole group. Some people felt our group was a clique but there were probably 30 or more people in that group.
Most of the football, basketball, and baseball players and the girls who lived mostly on the North Side and a few from the South Side. We really had a lot of fun parties.
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| Party at Anderson home. |
There was a big barn where we would go roller skating and even tried some square dancing and the Catholic Church had Friday night dances, too. There was always plenty to do. One time when a group of us were driving around the Catholics were all talking about going to confession and I thought that was really interesting.
The only time I really remember my mother being angry with me was when we went swimming after hours and then went on a picnic in our bathing suits. It was a very warm summer night and there were a lot of us.
We had a fire somewhere and roasted hot dogs, etc. It was actually quite innocent but because of the late hour and in our bathing suits it appeared to be more dangerous than it was. She sat and scolded me for a long time after I arrived home.
Dad would get upset if we had other plans on Saturday and he needed us to work and depending on whether we had an important dance to prepare for or whatever Mom would come to our defense and told him we needed to have more notice to plan ahead.
Mostly we would go whenever he asked. If you weren't working at the store you were expected to mow the lawn or help clean the house. There was always plenty of work for everyone but I do remember having plenty of time to be with our friends.
Then there was Sam's. Sam's was a dance hall outside of town. It was a huge dance floor with train cars on each side that you sat in and then there was a bar at one end. They often had bands and the dance floor was great so we loved to go out there.
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| After Horrible Toni Permanent |
I remember one time Bernie was drunk and tried to get me to take a drink but immediately someone came to my rescue. They were quite protective of us girls who did not drink, or at least of me.
Once someone teased Harry and told him I was drinking and he immediately came over with a worried look on his face. I did taste Vodka once but that was all. I couldn't stand the smell of beer and Harry would not drink when he was with me. Drinking was never a temptation in my life and neither was smoking.
The only time I was actually in
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| Slumber Parties were lots of silly fun |
danger from drinking was when
Deloris wanted me to go home
from a dance with her because
she could get a ride with
Dean and she had a real crush
on him (didn't we all at
some time or another).
I must have been a sophomore.
Deloris and I sat in the back and
there was another boy in front,
not sure who. It was soon obvious that Dean had been drinking a lot. He began speeding and then the boys decided they should get rid of the beer cans because the police were after them and Dean sped even more.
Dean went to make a turn to the graveyard and lost control of the car and we were weaving back and forth out of control. Sieve (Deloris) and I were rolling all over in the back seat (no seat belts in those days). Afterwards Deloris was to tell me that she was really feeling guilty for bringing me along into this.
Miraculously the car straightened out, the boys threw out the beer and somehow ditched the cops in the dark area behind the stockyards. I have no idea how they did it but we were anxious to get home by that time and I never rode again with anyone that was intoxicated in the least. I felt I had a guardian angel looking after me on that night but I did not want to stretch my luck. Although many of the
boys and some of the girls drank. I was never tempted by it in the least. I remember making a promise to the Lord I would never drive with anyone who had been drinking.
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| Junior Prom |
I do remember we had a special time though and Harry saying, "Now, aren't you glad you came with me tonight?" Most of the time we got along very well though I do remember being jealous when he would talk to other girls.
He was always so friendly and nice to everyone. He worked at the Safeway store and when I would go in there with my Mom he would carry our groceries out to the car. He was always very kind and considerate and caring and I always felt safe with him. He later worked at the Conoco gas station and of course, we would always buy our gas there.
I liked to see Harry in his leather jacket. When I was a senior he went to Wahpehton, North Dakota to college and had me come with his Mom and stepfather to watch him play football and then we all rode back to Glendive together after eating at a restaurant.
It was at the restaurant that I discovered my period had come and I didn't have anything. I stuffed my panties with toilet paper. It was a very snowy, slow ride home and I was wearing a blue suit and feeling very nervous that I might show through my skirt. I don't know whether I would have told Harry about that but I do remember he sat with his arm around me in the front seat the whole time and I scarcely said a word because I was so nervous.
For Easter in my senior year I remember buying a really nice pale yellow wool suit. I would love something that nice today. I also had a spring coat. The clothes were really quality for not much money.
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I loved my brown velvet two piece with a fitted vest and tight skirt and my purple corduroy jacket and skirt and my sweater that had music notes all over it.
For Christmas one year I received a Pendleton circular plaid skirt. I had that skirt for years and it was used for dress up by the grandchildren. I also had a reversible pleated Pendleton. We would wear sweaters with matching bobby sox and saddle shoes to school and only wear hose and heels for very special occasions.
We practiced walking in heels when we first started wearing them and how hard it was.
As I may have mentioned before--pants were never worn to school. We looked good except for our hair. We never knew quite what to do with it. We would give ourselves Toni permanents which did not look too great on me. We would bleach streaks in the side or top of our hair. We would put the hair up in pin curls. And there was a green slimy gel to help set the hair.
One time when I was home from college Harry took me for a drive in his brand new car. As we were passing the high school I mentioned something new there and as he glanced over to look the truck in front of us stopped suddenly and Harry's car went right under the bed of the truck and the hood of his car was rolled up like a sardine can. We were not hurt at all but it was so sad and I felt so responsible for damaging his beautiful car.
It was while Harry was at college and I was still in high school that I came home one day to find Alyce and Carole sitting on my bed reading all my love letters from Harry! I don't know what happened to them after that. I also had a wonderful scrapbook with all kinds of goodies from high school. However, when Mom and Dad moved to Idaho Falls it was somehow thrown away!!
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| Harry at Wahpehton College, second from right. Berta Mae's Dean is on the left. |
I did date Lee and went to the prom with him. He even told me he loved me. He was a very sweet, good looking boy.
I danced with Bob in the Spring Follies in 1950 and another Bob in 1951. The Follies was a really grand production for such a small school. I am amazed we were able to accomplish it every year.
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| Winter Wonderland Waltz in 1950 Follies--Janet and Bob Second from Right |
1950 Follies
Mrs. Henderson would make our formals and they were really lovely. Our auditorium and basketball floor had a huge wall on one side that opened completely and became a stage with a huge curtain behind it. Beyond the stage was the comfortable pull down seating. You would sit there to watch the basketball games, or the formals, or shows. Most of the parents would come and sit and watch the formal dances. We did all the decorating ourselves and really enjoyed the whole thing from start to finish.
Dad owned a 49 Cadillac which we would sometimes be able to drive around after school and one of the teachers made a remark about that. He obviously was jealous. The Cadillac could not make it up the steep hill to Sivert's home though and we would have to roll back down.
My Dad had told me I could drive a 32 Chevy if I could talk the people into selling it for $200 and I did. I think the mileage was only about 200. It was in great shape and was fun to drive. In the winter it was the only car that could sit outside all night and still start in the morning. The Cadillac had to sit in the new garage that had been built near the street with an electric plug under the hood. Unfortunately when Carole started driving the Kitty she had the gear in reverse and was getting pushed by someone. It was never the same after that.
As for clothes we were lucky because our father owned a department store and we would look through the boxes when the new clothes came in. We would go down at night when no one was there and spend hours trying on clothes and deciding what we wanted before they were even put out for the customers.
Jantzen and Pendleton skirts and sweaters were very popular and we had quite a collection. Gay Gibson was my favorite brand of dresses and they all fit so well. I had about a 24 inch waist and 36 inch bust and hips. Dad finally put us on a clothes budget and it was $300 of clothes a year or was it $100? My memory could be wrong. Of course, when you were buying wholesale and nice dresses were about $19 that money would go a long way. However, that also had to pay for winter boots and wool coats, material for sewing, everything, so it added up quite fast.
Jantzen and Pendleton skirts and sweaters were very popular and we had quite a collection. Gay Gibson was my favorite brand of dresses and they all fit so well. I had about a 24 inch waist and 36 inch bust and hips. Dad finally put us on a clothes budget and it was $300 of clothes a year or was it $100? My memory could be wrong. Of course, when you were buying wholesale and nice dresses were about $19 that money would go a long way. However, that also had to pay for winter boots and wool coats, material for sewing, everything, so it added up quite fast.
Even though we had nice clothes I can still see them strewn all over the floor as we decided what we should wear that day. When I finally got a bedroom of my own I was able to decorate it anyway I wanted. I chose lavender walls and a floral rose and lavender bedspread which I (or we) made. I also had a dresser with a long mirror. The window looked out on the front street so I could always see who was coming or driving by. It was a nice room.
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| At Elks Picnic |
Another happy memory was the Elks Picnic which was held every August. They provided all the corn on the cob, pop and ice cream that you wanted. Our family provided the rest and we sat at long tables to eat. It was so fun to walk up to the men dishing out ice cream and get as much as you wanted for free! It was always a special event from early childhood. Interesting to see the way we dressed, especially the shoes and matching sox.
The Elks were a big organization in Glendive and Dad was the head ruler for awhile. One time when I came home form college I went to the Elks Dance with my parents. Dad and some of his friends asked me to dance. I was so impressed with how well they all danced. They would swing me around and I had so much fun.
Dad was also on the School Board and Chamber of Commerce. He was a leader in Glendive.
David married Dorothy after one year of college at Utah State and began to work in the Miles City Anderson's and Jeanne married Stan after one year of college at Utah State and moved to Utah. Dick was in the Navy, and went to Columbia and BYU and then married Mary from New Mexico and brought her home to live next door to us. Mary was always great with clothes and we loved having her help us select our new outfits. Unfortunately, I never learned how to shop at other stores and this was a problem after I left home.
We had a creek off the Yellowstone River that flowed from the river past the ball fields, swimming pool and under Main Street. It was a lot of fun to play in and was very low or very high depending on the time of year. I was there when they pulled a young boy from the creek. He had lived on the South Side and must not have known how to swim or could have fallen on a rock. I never forgot that stiff, blue look of his body, my first sight of death. Berta's father was a mortician and one time she let us go see the room with the caskets and there was a dead person in one. It was very eerie. Then there was the terrible tragedy of the boys not getting across the railroad bridge in time and the terrible accident where several teenagers were killed. And the memorial that honored so many young men killed in WW II. Although Glendive was a 'Happy Days' in so many ways there was our share of tragedy.
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| Claude with Skilly and George |
The most tragic experience to me was the death of Claude Ziegler in 1950. He was Marilyn's steady boyfriend and near the end of her first year in college he was killed speeding in a car outside Glendive. I remember so well how devastated Marilyn looked when she came home for the funeral. The funeral was held in the Lutheran Church as I recall and the saddest part was when they lowered his casket in to the grave. I started crying and could not stop for a long time. There had been other tragic accidents in Glendive but this was the first of our special group. He was a beautiful person and such a waste to die so young.
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| Graduation |
For high school graduation I had a white pique dress with a little jacket and white heels. I loved the look. Harry was not home from college yet but we all went to Sam's after and I remember Sam Lonning, who was much older, dancing with me and telling me that "You think you have the world by the tail, don't you? Just wait." He was so right. I did all right in high school and did earn a scholarship but my Dad declined it as he felt others needed it more than we did. High school for the most part was a very fun and happy time in my life, as was all of my schooling and childhood days.
Nothing really bad or traumatic happened to me. We were very poor during the depression, as most people were. World War II brought more prosperity, but we were never what you would consider rich, I don’t think. I was always surrounded by many friends, many activities and a very loving family. I did have faith in Jesus Christ and believed the Gospel was true. Except for the continual disagreement between Harry and I on religion, life was very good.
Nothing really bad or traumatic happened to me. We were very poor during the depression, as most people were. World War II brought more prosperity, but we were never what you would consider rich, I don’t think. I was always surrounded by many friends, many activities and a very loving family. I did have faith in Jesus Christ and believed the Gospel was true. Except for the continual disagreement between Harry and I on religion, life was very good.
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| Fall 1950 |
I was ready to meet the world. I read somewhere that putting a child out into the world today at 18 was comparable to putting a child of 15 out into the world in the 50's.
And that seems reasonable. As I review my life I see how much freedom and independence we had. We pretty much said goodbye in the morning and came home to change clothes after school and then off again until supper and our parents had no way of knowing where we were or what we were doing. We knew who we were, what was expected of us, and were trusted to handle ourselves correctly. It was impossible to be a helicopter Mom in those days...and that helped us to depend on ourselves.
Senior Year
Junior in High School
