What does one "do" with the prompt word for the Six Sentence Stories - Fountain provided by the host, Denise, of Girlie On The Edge's Blog? It all depends on the writer as you will soon see when you begin reading the posts each week. Be sure to click the link in order to read the other posts, and let the search begin.
She hadn’t thought it to be unusual because after all how would she have known it wasn’t the norm when, for her family, visits to the homes of other children were quite rare, and even when they happened, she stayed near her parents and didn’t venture off into bedrooms.
It was common knowledge that the big old home lacked the amenities of some homes, but as she looked out the windows of the school bus as it dropped off children to other farm houses, some with sagging porches, or when she saw the outward condition of some of the houses in town on the other side of the railroad tracks she became aware that while her own home wasn’t the nicest, it wasn’t the worst.
Although it wasn’t until much later that she learned a little about what the sleeping arrangements had been like for her mother being one of many children in the family, or of the hardships her parents had faced during the Great Depression, it was no wonder that her parents penny pinched for years afterwards just to pay bills which came due, no matter what, even in the midst of crop failures due to the seven year drought.
At recess on the playground, not once did she ask about playmates' beds, or for that matter, any questions about their home life, for after all, it was time to play and what a family did was family business and something that wasn’t meant to be discussed with others, and no one asked that of her either.
After learning her family was going to move to another state when her dad came unannounced to pick her up early from school the day they were leaving, she learned the moving van had already left with all but a few of their belongings which her family would take with them.
From the expression and excitement on the faces of her parents upon seeing the twin beds that had already been delivered to their new home, and them saying you kids don't need to sleep in cribs any longer, she began to understand some of the significance of what had just been said, but the real fountain of happiness came when she learned that there was an indoor toilet just down the hall!
It is a blessing to hear that their fortunes improved.
ReplyDeleteTime, patience, and the changes that take place in people and the world we live in can all make a difference.
DeleteSuch a different world such a short time ago.
ReplyDeleteWait, let me amend that, the physical context of life has changed for many in a (relatively) short time. The people, individuals and families have not changed as much as circumstances may prompt.
Cool Six, to see into the past.
Thanks, Clark. I find it so interesting when comparing histories of different individuals living in the same general location and time period yet learning how very different their lives were from one another and then hearing the back story. So revealing.
DeleteAs hard as it would be to move so suddenly, it sounds like a blessing overall.
ReplyDeleteMost likely the kids were the last to know about the move.
DeleteGreat job. I like the ending
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteA new state, new school, new playmates and an indoor toilet. A new start. Nice one.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteWonderfully evocative, especially about our tendency to constantly search for where we fit on the social ladder when we are young. As someone who grew up in an era of poisonous red-backed spiders in the outhouse, my heart sang for your heroine. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Doug. As for the spiders, I've seen a lot of that kind too. They seemed to like hanging out in the darkness of the outhouse. When mom was walking to the outhouse as she held a bucket of soapy lye water it was with a warning to stand back. I'm not sure if she was going to clean the seats or kill the black widow spiders, or both.
DeleteNormal is what's at home. That's what I certainly believed as a child. I just believed that every family lived the way we did - more or less. (The 'less' was a television!)
ReplyDeleteYou portray that so well.
And also the excitement of change.
So true, Jenne. Thanks.
DeleteA lovely, sprawling tale of family and moving on to new things. Can relate as my family upped sticks from the city to the country when I was ten, with barely two days to say goodbye to my friends. What an adventure that was.
ReplyDeleteI suppose with all that needs to happen with the moving process, much was done by parents during evening hours when kids were asleep, or during the day when they were at school, or with another relative for a while so the parents wouldn't have to deal with the unending questions.
DeleteA bed of one's own! And indoor plumbing.
ReplyDeleteI like how nothing was taken for granted nor resented by the narrator.
My apologies Pat, for not having commented sooner. I was distracted.
ReplyDeleteI'm certain I echo some of the thoughts of those who have commented before me. Children can be most astute in their observations. While experience and age have yet to put those observations in context, they are keen to differences in the lifestyles of neighbors and those in their community. It must have been difficult for the parents to arrange such a move but oh, the excitement they must have felt. Not only for themselves but for their children. The beds no doubt a marvelous surprise but I'm betting the indoor plumbing took 1st prize :)
No problem, Denise. I totally understand how distractions can redirect one's actions and intentions. In response to your last statement. . .Oh, YES!
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