When I Was Young
Posted: Friday, November 18, 2011
by John Waddey
firstcenturychristian
Although it has been well over seventy years, it doesn’t seem that long ago when I was young. My memory of my early days is still quite good and reminiscing brings a great deal of pleasure.
I was blessed to be born and raised in a stable, two-parent home. I was the first child born to my parents and was given plenty of love and attention. My first memories commence about the time our nation entered World War II. I remember my sadness when my dad was called up for the military training....and the joy when he was sent home because of health problems. I remember playing soldiers with my little buddies.
I still remember kindergarten at the Wesley House, provided by the Methodist church. I remember beginning each day by singing God bless America and saluting our beloved flag. Patriotism was a part of our daily activities.
I remember walking to church on Sunday and riding the bus to town. The car was used to take my dad to and from his work.
I remember going to school. We began the day with a Bible reading, and a hymn. We sang a patriotic song and pledged our allegiance to our nation. Back then baseball truly was the national pastime. Almost every little boy tried his hand at the game. At recess we boys played soft ball.
I remember when we moved to a semi-rural community. My father and grandfather built our house. I was their little helper. We were the last house on the road. Beyond were fields and woods. It was the perfect place for a child to grow up. We had a garden. There were chores to be done. My allowance was based on my willingness to help. I spent endless hours exploring nature, learning about wild life, climbing trees, playing in a small stream of water. We did battle with occasional snakes, wasps and bumble bees.
I had cousins who lived in the country, far from the city. My greatest joy was spending time with them. It was like a journey into the distant past.
As I grew older, I remember getting my share of paddlings for misbehavior in school. I also had lots of paddlings at home. My mom knew that the typical boy needed that to help keep him in line. My record year for paddlings came in the eighth grade. We had a former marine sergeant for our teacher and by that means he taught us to sit quietly and listen, to pay attention in class and to show respect. After that I had learned well and finished school without further penalties. At home, my last spanking at my mother’s hands. She was determined that her children not smoke. As a boy, I was determined that I would. There were a number of spankings but the last was the most memorable. I was 15. She smelled the tobacco smoke and asked if I had been smoking. Of course I denied the fact. She gave me one more chance to own up to it and then proceeded to treat my problem with my father’s wide leather belt. Those were the day of heavy Levi jeans. I thought I was about grown. So I boldly told her, "Go ahead and get it over with." She replied, "Take off your jeans!" Now that’s when it got serious. I was dancing like a clogger, trying to mitigate the stinging licks. At that point she said, "Lay down on the bed!" That became a life-changing event. I was too big to cry and that made it worse. After a few weeks of contemplation I concluded I really didn’t want to smoke after all. For which I am most grateful.
My dad always worked. In time there were four of us kids. While I often was told, we cannot afford that, I never thought of us as poor. After all we had a house, good food, a loving family and dignity. Looking back I now know we lived on a tight budget. But I never heard my folks talk about being poor, or complaining about those who had more. I was taught if I wanted something special, like a bike or an air rifle, I had to work, save my money and then they would help me get it.
I remember when I got a mandolin for Christmas. I soon learned to play it and the next year Santa brought a guitar which I also mastered. From age twelve to the present I have enjoyed making music with my friends and entertaining others.
There were the exciting years of high school and the determination to get a job and be self-sufficient. At first that meant delivering the morning and evening newspaper to some 200 subscribers. My transportation was my bicycle. Upon graduation it meant working a full-time job with three part time jobs to round out my week. Within a couple of years I was ready to go to college.
Summing up, those early years made me the person I now am. Good parenting, good discipline, good education, good religious training were all mine. Then there was the privilege of living in America a land of personal freedom, unlimited opportunity and personal responsibility. I would add that good neighbors, good friends and encouragement from Christian friends helped to keep me on the right road that led to a happy and successful life. The greatest influence and the greatest benefactor in my life was God and his Son Jesus. I am truly a blessed man.
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