I really did have a pretty good childhood from 8 years to 14 years. I also had some really scary times. We will just say I can remember learning about adult issues inappropriate for my age at least four times. Twice from being left alone with strangers and twice from family. When I tried to tell my step-mother she never believed me.
The one and only time I got to have a friend over the house she stood outside my screened window listening to us talking. I don’t know if she couldn’t stand us being little girls giggling but she came into the room beating me with a belt saying we were being bad. My Dad came in the room and made me get up and go sleep in the living room to keep peace. Needless to say no one ever got to come back to my house to stay over. It ruined the only good friendship I ever had.
One of the only times I saw my Daddy cry. He never expressed his feelings. This time he cried and told me he married her so I would have a Mother but he never would have if he really knew how she was. After he went to the courthouse and had papers set up for me to go to my sisters if he passed away. I think he knew he was sick at this time.
You walked me through fire- pulled me from flames if you’re in this with me I won’t be afraid.
Psalm 3:3 But thou, O LORD art a shield for me; My glory, and the lifter up of mine head
Now onto some of the best memories that brought me so much joy. My Dad was a great, kind man who was very quiet. He was born in 1913 so he could have been my Grandfather. I can remember always having chores to do before and after school. We lived right across from my elementary school, Cassville off 70, about 10 miles from Sparta.We had chickens, cows, a pig, and a huge garden to pick weeds out of. At least once a month we would drive to the mountain to visit my Grandfather (Mom’s Dad), Aunt’s, Uncle’s and cousins. Daddy had a little small truck. I’d ride on the tailgate up the mountain, Cain Creek Road to 30. I loved these times together, just him and me. I would always beg to stay with cousins. I remember fondly staying at my Uncle Hub’s who had 13 children all with names starting with L. Sometimes I could even go to school with them. Unheard of today. My best memories were there in their three bedroom log cabin in the woods. They were a real family, which I longed for.
Grandpa had a pony that I wanted so bad. He was a mean old shetland pony, Daddy finally agreed but told me if I didn’t ride him he was gone. That pony nearly killed me more than once.He’d take off down 70 Smithville Hwy as fast as he could. I rode him bareback. His name was Sugar. Something he was not. LOL
When I started 4th Grade, even though I could have walked to school I wanted to ride the school bus to visit with friends as I was never allowed to go to friends houses. Daddy finally agreed to it and was watching me. As I went to cross the road to get on the Bus a car came over the hill, it was raining and hit me. I was knocked out cold and bounced off the top of the car and they found my tennis shoe 40 ft from my body. They ended up taking me to Nashville, after Sparta before the bone was even set.Back then they put weights on for so long before they put a body cast on me. Yup from the waist down to the ankle. Bed bound with a bedpan. I can’t imagine my Dad seeing that. The nurses would hide behind the curtains and play cards with me because I didn’t have many visitors. My Mom did come and stay with me for a couple weeks. I finally got to know her a little at this time. When I came home 4th grade was homeschooled. Kids brought my homework to the house. A year in a body cast then crutches. Yes Sugar was gone when I came home. God protected me yet again.
Mom did come to visit one more time and we stayed in a motel in town. She took me to Opryland and bought me all kinds of school clothes. When she left my step mother threw all my new clothes away.
Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield, in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.
I was baptized June 26,1974 when I was 12 years old. I did it for the wrong reasons because I felt pushed into it. Baptism is an outward sign of the change already happened in my heart. It is a symbol that I belong to Jesus and I have committed my life to him, The old is gone, and the New has come! This is why I am going to be baptized again.
Acts 22:16
Arise, and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Not long after this I was so excited about going into town to start High School . Life was good..
And then it wasn’t. I never knew my Dad was sick. He went into the Hospital and found out he had throat cancer. I didn’t even get to say Goodbye. He died July 10, 1976. I was 14 years old. Why??? He was all I had. The one thing I carry in my heart is I know I will meet him again. I was in shock. Time stood still.
I left my faith after this.
1 Thessalonians 4:17
We who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
To be continued…
- Wobbly Road: Part 2 - April 3, 2024
- My Wobbly Road - February 28, 2024