Monday, January 31, 2011

Memory Lane Mondays


Today is the first installment for Memory Lane Mondays.  I've been going through my books recently, so this memory is one that came to mind.  I hope you enjoy it...

My parents divorced when I was 4 years old, so it was just my momma, my little sis and me.  Momma did the best she  could, working as a waitress, and making ends meet.  She developed an eye for a bargain.  She clothed us and furnished our home with second hand deals.  She was a fixture at the Salvation Army Store each week when the trucks brought in the "new" donations.  The Caldwell Auction became a regular part of her routine.  There was also the Youth Ranch, St. Vincents, yard sales, and more.  There wasn't a lot of money to go around, but my sis and I never knew it.



I began reading at an early age, and from the moment my mind began to understand the concept of words and stories, I loved books.  At the end of my first grade year, I decided to take my Dick, Jane, and Sally book home with me.  Somehow, I knew it was wrong so I hid the book in my room.  It wasn't long before Momma found it.  I could tell she was disappointed in me.  She rarely got cross with me, but this day she did.  She explained that bringing the book home was stealing, and that I would have to return it at the beginning of the next school year.  Momma took the book and placed it in her cedar chest.  "Can't I have it until we take it back" I pleaded.  "No, it's not yours to read.  It stays in the chest until you return it to school." she answered.  That's where it stayed, and I learned a valuable lesson.  Momma stuck by her principles, but she also saw how much I loved reading.  After that, whenever my birthday or Christmas came around, there was always a book with my name in it.


© 31JAN11 ajj


NOTE:  To Participate, or if you just want to read other peoples stories, click on the Memory Lane Mondays photo link.  It's on my sidebar. 

7 comments:

Brynwood Needleworks said...

Hi Nita:
It's nice to see another reader among us! Our mom's are so important to our growing up, aren't they?

Thanks for joining Memory Lane Mondays! See you next month.
xoxo
Donna

Sally said...

You sure had a good momma, Nita Jo, and smart too. A similar thing happened in my childhood, and I learned a valuable lesson. :)

Nita Jo said...

Donna, Thanks so much! I need to keep my writing fresh, and this challenge adds some incentive to stay in practice. Plus, it's just fun to pull out the memories!

Sally, She was a wonderful mom! I still miss her laughter and advice. Those lessons are so important. I tried to remember to walk the same fine line of correction and compassion with my boys. Thanks for stopping by!

Donna said...

Your mom as a smart woman!

Unknown said...

Your momma's a good one! It can be hard to stick by those disciplines, easier to give in, but it's so important not to, in order to teach our children to have integrity. thank you for sharing that :)

Nita Jo said...

Donna, Yes she was a smart lady! I miss having her here to give me advice, and just for having fun with!

Karen, Thank you! She always did her best. I think she was an amazing woman... definitely an example to me!

Andi's English Attic said...

A lovely memory. I was the only one of my siblings to have a bookshelf. I loved to read too. xx