Come join retired-not-tired and me, with your own memories. Each week will be a different prompt to encourage the writing of your memories. Link your memories here and share them with everyone.
Our prompt is: My First Friend
My first friend was Cheryl B. We grew up in a post war, new housing neighborhood, in southern California. She had an older sister and brother and until my brother was born, I was an only child for my first 7 years. Cheryl was a year older than I and I think we started playing together when I was about 4 years old. In those days there was no play dates and we were in and out of each other's houses all day long. We remained friends until I got to high school, then she had other friends. She left home later that year to live with her grandmother and transferred to another school. I visited her once and then never saw her again. I learned many years later, later that her father had abused her and her sister and that is why they left home. She had never said anything about it to me, which I understand, as it was not talked about in those days. People in the neighborhood were not aware of what he had done until many years later, after he was dead.
How sad for your friend. Thank you for joining in the meme.
ReplyDeleteHow awful for your friend and her sister, but you are right, nobody talked about such things back in our day. I hope she and her sister were able to put their abuse behind them, and move on.
ReplyDeleteI have a cousin whose father abused her. She is my grandmother's youngest sister's daughter and her father's name is Furman. I always wondered why my grandmother always referred to him as, "that ol Furman" with a distinct bad taste in her mouth. I only learned as an adult why. I really hate it for kids who had to grow up with that. I also respect them for living through it and taking back their lives when they can. And, what I'd like to do to the abusers, can't be written here.
ReplyDeleteHow things have changed! I grew up in the late 70's and early 80's and we spent a lot of time at each other's houses, walking around the neighborhood. Kids don't do this anymore. :/ So sorry to hear about your friend and her abuse.
ReplyDeleteIt is such a tragic thing that the people who are supposed to be the protector and an example of our Father's love would abuse their own children. And sad for children to have to live in such a situation.
ReplyDeleteI was a child in the 50's, but we weren't allowed to run in and out of each other's homes without permission by parents and a set time for playing. We usually were allowed a time period of 30 minutes and, if given an hour, it was a real treat. The rest of the time we played together outside.
How awful for her and her sister to have suffered such a thing. She may have never said anything, but I am willing to bet that you were a joy and a light in her life, at a time she truly needed a friend!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny you mentioned there were no "play dates" back then - and now that I think, it's so true. All my friends were basically in the same neighbourhood and we did just literally run from each other houses all the time. Just hollering to a parent where we were off to next. It was much more relaxed. But parents communicated back then too -- they always knew where we were. Everyone looked out for each other.
Thank you for sharing your story.
ReplyDeleteAccording to news reports abuse still goes on behind closed doors. It wasn't talked about in the old days and I guess a lot is still hidden,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to stop by and say hello. I have been absent for a while. I miss everyone, but I needed some time to work some things out. I hope you are having a lovely November!
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