One of my grandsons is encouraging me to write essays about my childhood so that one day he might share them with his offspring to learn about their heritage. That provides me with the motivation to think back to years mostly forgotten, but about some specific incidents that memory has preserved.
When I was about 16 or 17 years old, in the mid-1940s, World War II was raging. Then a senior in high school, I was invited by an “older man”, a 19 year old fellow who had joined the Navy and was in the Officer Training Corps, to attend a dance being held at his naval base in Philadelphia. As I was living with my family in a New York City suburb, this meant I needed to travel by train and stay overnight in a hotel room that had been secured by my date. My parents acquiesced to this plan.
I recall later standing close by and listening in on a conversation my mother and father had with a dinner guest who expressed surprise that they would allow me to travel to another city and spend the night in a hotel on my own. My father’s response, when such freedom for a young unchaperoned woman was questioned, was, “we know that Bea will do the right thing.”
And he was right. After the dance, when my young swain accompanied me on the return to my hotel room, unlocked the door and entered along with me, I did not object. Together we sat side-by-side on the bed and chatted for a time. Apparently, after a while he got the unspoken message that nothing more was going to happen, so he bid me good night and left. For this apparent restraint, I was deemed a good girl.
What at some level I probably knew then, and certainly recognize now, was that this particular fellow, even resplendent in his officer’s uniform, had no physical appeal for me. Who knows why? But I do know that if this was not the case, the outcome might have been quite different.
My trusting parents were indeed naïve.
Enjoyed your conclusion!
Love,
A
What an awesome opportunity your grandsons offer to speak forward of your past, though there’s no way to unroll everything there was before them, even such bits are treasures.
Bea – this is so wonderfully hillarious! Alma
I love your humble honesty.
And your grandson is correct- keep writing!
Thank you for sharing – I’m enjoying your grandsons request 😊
I agree with the others who commented, Keep Writing! Too often we look back wishing that those we love had told us more about their history.
Your parents were right to trust you. I took Karen to NYC while we were dating and, while her parents had some serious concerns, they let her come with me. Fifty four years later, we’re still married. If they hadn’t let her come with me, she might still be living at home. 🙂
Grateful for your grandson’s request and your willingness to share!
That is so honest and so true!
So happy a posting from you. . I agree very much with your Grandson. Look forward to more.
I enjoy your memories.
Bea, I look forward to more stories about the young Bea. I’m having fun thinking about the “young swain.”
I can relate:-)
Bea: I loved your post. More stories about the young Bea! Hope you are well and acclimating to your new environs. R/John