Last Sunday I attended the confirmation of a high school sophomore who I
have been mentoring for the past year. One of my gifts to him was a copy of
my book Mayberry Reflections the Early Years. It generated a discussion
about how times have changed since I grew up in a small town. My student
made the comment about my having missed out on a lot of great things that
kids today have. And he was right you know, I did miss out on a lot of
things growing up in a small town in the late 50's.
I missed out in going to day care at the age of four and I missed out on
going to a baby sitters at the end of a school day. Instead I had to go
home where my mother was anxiously awaiting my return with a glass of milk
and cookies.
I missed out on riding a big school bus for an hour each day. Instead I was
forced to walk to school with my friends. Many times we took time to look
at the wonders of nature as the seasons changed in the beautiful state of
Wisconsin.
During the summers I missed out on organized baseball, soccer, and
basketball camps. Instead I spent my summer days playing sand lot baseball
with my friends. We didn't have any coaches or umpires. We set the ground
rules and settled our own disputes with no fights or obscene words.
I missed out on swimming in the summer in an indoor chlorine filled cement
swimming pool. In its place we had several great creeks and small lakes
with sandy bottoms and plenty of fresh air and sunshine.
During the long winter days I missed out sitting at a computer playing
games. I didn't have any game boys, dish TV with color HD, I Pods, cell
phones, or other "electronal" marvels. Instead I spent my time building
snow forts, digging tunnels, ice skating, piling wood in the basement,
reading, and playing board games with my family and friends.
Yes, I sure missed out on a lot of things growing up in a dinky small town
in the late 50's. I even missed out watching out for neighborhood sex
offenders, drug dealers on the corner, and medal detectors in school.
I don't know how I ever survived with the childhood I had. But the
wonderful things is that I not only survived - I flourished. I wouldn't
trade my growing up years for all the state of the art technological toys we
have nowadays for anything.
And do you know what? I bet Opie wouldn't either.
Ken Anderson
2906 May Street
Eau Claire, WI 54701
(Home) 715-839-8470
( Cell ) 715-210-1556
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www.mayberryreflections.com
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