The 1950s in the United States was a time of recovery. Soldiers came home from war, bought little houses, married and had families. There were five children in our little house. I was the only girl.
It was a time of much less fear than there is today. I walked by myself to kindergarten in the fire station a half mile from my house. I loved cookies and milk, listening to stories and drawing. One day the teacher put on lively music and each child was to select a musical instrument to march with around the room. Nothing appealed to me so I choose the baton and stepped up to lead the band. That move got me labeled bossy, and wanting to be in charge, not a good look for a little girl in those days.
On my daily walk home from kindergarten, I passed a house with a large, exuberant German shepherd dog. I barely breathed walking by that house. One day the dog was loose and came charging toward me. He was almost as tall as I was. Instinct kicked in. I glued my arms to my sides and stood like a statue. The dog circled and sniffed and calmly walked away. I knew better than to run but I sure wanted to. I was so proud of myself! I had looked fear in the eyes and survived.
I’m not sure where I was going with this story. I wish I could say that fearlessness stayed with me my whole life, but it did not. It took being an older woman to come into that fearless part of myself. Today I would never stand for the bullying, and abuse I put up with at home, in school and on the job. I have a life that I am proud of with no regrets. it is good to be alive. I looked fear in the eyes and survived.
DOS TORTAS
the adventures of dos tortas 
Hi Lisa, I don’t know why I can’t “comment” successfully…?? So I’m replying instead: thank you THANK YOU for this blog/sharing today…I needed to be reminded to look fear in the eyes…and I am doing so, thanks to you…maybe we could talk when I am back in Bacalar..
For now, please don’t ever stop writing your blogs – they are great! Always so human, always colorful and interesting and always touch my heart in some way. I send all my love to you and Lisa and Alice xoxoxo
Lorrie Jones Simple Serenity simpleserenity.comhttp://simpleserenity.com/ 253.312.3117
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Glad to visit, or call me anytime. Alex
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Thank you xoxoxo
Lorrie Jones Simple Serenity simpleserenity.comhttp://simpleserenity.com/ 253.312.3117
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I think getting older makes us naturally more fearful, or at least more cautious. But I try to resist this because life behind a locked door is no life at all. Having said that, I’m not sure how I’d react to a big German shepherd bounding up to me! 😉
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I try to model after my five year old self.
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I loved your memory! I am 1 of 6. Penny is the only girl.
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We are more challenged than many to stay connected. I push myself to talk on the phone but I am learning to stay more connected to my sibs. Seems worth the effort.
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Ha! I had those very same braids.
I was so timid when I was young and became far braver in my 30s and 40s. Then I kind of retreated again. Then I grabbed life by the horns and took off on this wander. I’ve been on the road four months as of today.
People told me I was crazy. People told me it was dangerous. People told me I could have car trouble. People told me I could have medical emergencies. Basically, my response was this: Should I just sit around home and wait for a heart attack? Should I not live my life and go anywhere because my car might break down? Do you think I got to be 76 years old by being stupid and putting myself in dangerous situations? And yeah, I’ve always been crazy.
I have had a wonderful, glorious trip, only less wonderful because of my inability to walk very far. I’ve missed out on doing a number of things. I haven’t stayed in beautiful wild places long enough because basically I’d have to just stay around my car, and what fun is that.
This last four months’ trip has been the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. And I have my next trip, I’m going to have an electric wheelchair!
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Yeah! Good for you. Lisa and I are planning a similar trip in Mexico next year. We want to visit as many Magical Cities as we can. We hope the exchange rate will improve so that we can buy a car. Keep being wild and dangerous! 😎❤️🙏🏼
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I’m considering Mexico this winter. Unfortunately, what I really need to do is do some work on my house and get it sold. But I’d rather drive around Mexico.
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Good luck. 🏠
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