Snapshot - Memories of Bygone Days

 

     Snapshots are our way of preserving the past.  Moments in time that we want to remember.  Memories of another time, another place, another way of life.  Snapshots can tell a story, even, if only to the people in the picture.  I love to look at old pictures and often find myself going through them.  This is one of my favorites.

     This snapshot is full of memories for me.  Front row is sisters Jane and Tina, back row is me and sister Brenda and was probably taken in  spring of 1968.   I remember mother had someone take it for her at our home on Backstreet.  That was the house where I spent the majority of my teenage years.    I loved that house and have many wonderful memories of it.  The wallpaper behind us was green flocking with a cream colored background on the walls in the living room.    That wall was the only wall in the room that wasn't filled with mirrors, pictures or other types of wall hangings, mainly because when the front door was open, which it usually was, this wall was hidden.   In this house I had my first date, went to my first prom, got my drivers license, and many other important moments in a teenage girl's life.

     The cotton dress I have on in this photo was also green, with tiny little flowers in it.  I had just finished making it during my first year of home ec.  It was the first sewing I had ever done and I was quite proud of it.   Jane was already married and on her own by then, thus the sensible solid colored dress.    Poor Brenda and Tina still had to wear what Mom picked out for them and unfortunately, Mom liked big prints....checks...polka-dots.....plaids, anything big and bright.  And, as you can see, bows in the hair were the "in" thing and I have to admit, I was a big fan.

     I've heard it said that the eyes are the windows to our soul.  Well, I believe snapshots are the windows to our lifetime.  Some views are good, some not so good; but all make up the story of who we are.   Trips down memory lane remind us of where we came from and who helped us get to where we are today.   I'll be the first to admit that I'm not very organized when it comes to my photos.  I wish I were.  But that doesn't lessen the importance of them.  They may not be organized, but I do know where they are and go through them frequently.     Each and every snapshot is a precious memory.

Until next time...that's my view.

Kat

Written for week #66 GBE 2 prompt - snapshot

    

Not Quite As She Expected

     She jumped out of bed earlier than usual, too excited to sleep.  She couldn't believe the day was finally here...she had waited so long.   Today would be her first major "rite of passage" to adulthood.  She would now have some freedom.

     Mom drove her the few miles to the county courthouse.  Here she would first take her written test, followed by her driving test.  She had studied the book until she knew it front and back and  Dad had been letting her drive the car for over a year now.   Even knowing she was prepared she was still a bundle of nerves.   They pulled into the parking lot.  It was time.

     The written test over, it was now time for the road test.   A man approached, introduced himself and informed her he would be conducting her road test.  He was middle-aged, short, slightly graying with a medium frame.  He looked like someone's father and immediately put her at ease.

     Pulling out of the courthouse parking lot they headed down the hill toward town.  As soon as they were out of sight of the courthouse he slid over in the seat next to her.  She flashed him a quick inquiring glance and he explained that he had to be able to see the speedometer and other controls.  She wasn't fully convinced but continued through town.  

     Then it happened.   As he instructed her to turn onto a road that she knew led out of town he slowly and gently placed his hand on her thigh.

     Horrified, she screamed, "Stop that!  Take your hands off me!"  As he tried to calm her down and convince her that it was necessary to be nice to him and continue the road test she cried, "No, I'm going back to the courthouse!", which she immediately did, driving as fast as her shaking body would let her.

     She couldn't get away from him fast enough.  Once in the courthouse she told the clerk what had happened.  She wasn't sure if they believed her or not but all she wanted to do was get out of there and go home.  To her surprise, she was given her drivers license.

     She later found out that she hadn't been the only young girl victimized by this letch, but maybe the first brave enough to report him.    Even knowing that he was fired couldn't take away the bitter memory of a day that should have been one of her happiest.

Until next time...that's my view.

Kat