Thankful for the Years

  I guess most generations think theirs has been the best.
  My years have been so full, and so wonderful to live in. My mom would probably argue this fact. Times they were a changing and I was right in the middle of it. I went from Madras to bra burning in a wink of an eye. A buttoned up cardigan, to long skirts and beads.
 I was a child in 52, and by 63 my world was shattered.
 Fear of communism and death hovered ever so closely, with the drills in elementary school. Anxiety was my partner in life, and then the president was shot.
 My mom, ran to our school, and into my room , crying telling Mr. Edwards that the president was shot, I don't think she used the word dead. ( we did not use the word pregnant either!!) I went home. It was quiet in our house, and things proceeded as usual. Kids did not ask questions, and barely watched any news. However I watched my parents faces, and I could not breathe. I remember blowing kisses to God, every night, so that maybe my family would be safe from whomever these bad people were. I was all of 11, mom still picked out my clothes, and I grew up really fast after that day.
 I was never a little girl again, my heart hurt and I could not process what had happened.
 My mom ordered a book, with all the details and photographs of the time. I devoured it, and have to this day.
 Just fifty years ago, seems so near and real, yet I know time has continued.
   Iam so thankful that I keep things, that help mold me. The book, The Torch Is Passed, has been dragged out every year, and I run my fingers over the pages. My children have sat with me, going over how young their mommy was!! Emma sat and briefly watched Killing Kennedy with Bill and I last night. Her biggest thought , mom was in elementary school and dad was a senior in high school, " That is just wrong!!" to quote my child with devil horns!! " Why do you watch this sad stuff?" said Lucifers angel. "IT IS MY LIFE, MY WHOLE LIFE changed that day!" quietly speaking to my love child.

   Your generation is you, all about you. We had big sorrows, and the Beatles. Music saved our soul, and of course organized religion ! We were from the south, religion is our bread and butter.
   The woman's movement and birth control changed my very being. These things were big, life altering wonderful happenings in my life. ( again Iam not so sure my mom would be on the birth control band wagon, back in the day. BUT she too has changed with the times, she rocks!) I am beyond proud to be a woman.

   This November, let us remember all the moments that changed us. Celebrate each year with Thanksgiving.
   Lucky am I, this I know.