Finishing fifth grade, it was time for summer vacation. I would have a break from school and spent most of my time at home. I saw a handful of neighbors that also attended school. There were some who lived across the street. Most of the males my age worked on the farms getting ready for harvest. It was all hands on deck if you were part of a farming family, which was most everyone.

Dad and my brother took on painting jobs to supplement the family income. Mom signed on to become a camp counselor for a week. It was made quite clear that I was to step into her shoes by keeping the house clean, laundry done and cooking. When she returned from her week away if my efforts did not meet the required standard it was high drama.

The new church was under construction next to where we lived. It was an exciting time for the church to finally have a building under construction that would actually be a church building. In July, family camp took place at a campground owned by the denomination. We attended as a family and I was exposed to even more music. Music became even more of an escape.

The town had access to two daily newspapers. There was a total of four routes and I was hired to deliver papers each afternoon for half of the town. With the money earned I was able to buy a bicycle suited to my size. The bicycle cost $35 and I made monthly payments. I opened a checking account to make the payment.

At that time K-Mart had a check approval process where you had to stop first at the customer service counter before checking out. At first, Dad had to help with that because I did not have the required identification. After following the process a few times I was able to make purchases by myself.

Sixth grade came along. We had a teacher who was quirky and eccentric and not a good teacher. The class came together through the shared experience. An effort was made by the parents to have the school board terminate his contract but they were unsuccessful. He did not return to teaching after his year with us.

Christmas was another oasis away from school. I loved decorating the house. Our trees were donated to us and they weren’t attractive. Looking back at pictures I have to wonder why I thought they looked so good. With my newspaper money I bought outdoor Christmas lights and expanded decorating to the outdoors. Other kids would come along and steal the lightbulbs.

Easter was a holiday I did not like. The church had extra special programs that required extra time for rehearsals. I was expected to memorize scripts, scriptures and music. It was exhausting and there was no school break associated with the holiday. Dad and Mom were adamant that we could not miss school so while they slept in on the Monday after we were required to get up, get ready and get to school.

One thing to look forward to was a big trip that was scheduled a week before school was out for the summer. We were to drive across country and visit relatives from both sides of the family. On the return trip we attended the General Assembly which was held every four years. That year it was in Kansas City.

It had been five years since we had seen our extended family. The trip was easier because the dog stayed home. Mom’s mental health made the trip a challenge. She could be in a good mood one moment and then turn on a dime. Under the best circumstances the trip would have been difficult.

We spent a week in Pennsylvania visiting aunts, uncles and cousins from Mom’s side of the family. It was very strange to be with people who were my relatives. I was terrified of my aunts and uncles because I didn’t know them. My cousins treated us like we were fun to be with.

From Pennsylvania we went to Delaware to Dad’s side of the family. Being with my grandmother again was wonderful. She was still the same loving, jovial, comfortable lady I remembered. There was a lot packed into our week there. Bobby Kennedy was assassinated during that time.

From there we went to Virginia to where I had been born. I wrote a letter to my grandmother asking her to send me a cookbook. That request came to haunt me when Mom found out about it and branded me as being selfish because I did not request one for my sister.

From Virginia it was on to Kansas City. The General Assembly was huge. It was attended by people from all over the world. We stayed in a hotel close to where the events took place. At night Dad would send me out to buy food to bring back to the hotel room. I had just finished sixth grade and I was out on the streets of a huge city by myself. Even then, it was frightening.

The day we left Kansas City we went to the zoo. The day was hot. As we ambled along we came to the cage that held the lions. I was standing there looking at them when one stood up and turned around. It then lifted its tail and peed in my face. Everyone who saw it thought it was hilarious. Afterward we got back on the road and traveled until after dark. I wore the same closes all day.

We finally arrived back at home.