I Traveled Solo...

Me and my best friend, at age 5. Had to be the height of fashion...checkered, double-breasted wool coats, and maybe the trend was to be missing one button. If that's the case, she was more stylish than I. BTW, staring into glaring sunlight, always makes for flattering pictures, as you can see. I do recommend. 😉

Looks like we were ready to walk to school...less than a block away. I remember my kindergarten class there in South Dakota...not well, but it's still with me. So, kindergarten with my best friend, and then...my dad transfers to another state. Ooohhh, the tears. He didn't even ask if it was okay. Not only a new state, and a new school, but my best friend was staying put. I didn't want to leave, but...wasn't offered the choice.

A year later, I guess I was still sad about having moved, so my parents put me on an airplane, and flew me back, for a visit. Keep in mind I was 6, had never flown before, and I was alone. As a mom, I have to ask myself, how was my mom okay with that? Oh, I know all precautions were taken, but still! Stewardesses were attentive, and pretty much stayed by my side. I had plenty of bubble gum, and a couple new comic books. I don't remember what they were, but I was probably a little young for Archie and Veronica...so they were probably more like Nancy comic books. Remember Nancy?

Anyway, this became a pattern...you know, sending me off to destinations by myself. When I was 12, I took a train ride after visiting my grandparents in Colorado, back home...to Omaha. That was about a 600 mile train ride, but I was equipped with a nice bag lunch, and a book to read, this time. I remember sitting in my seat, and looking at my reflection in the window, as we sped along the countryside, and I counted the miles.

Then, as a senior in high school, I flew back to Omaha for a prom. Good times, but again...alone. I was 17 this time, and used to it by now, I guess. Plenty old enough to fly alone, but turbulence was ridiculous, and I was ready to walk back home, rather than take another flight.

Anyway, long-ago treasured memories and good times. Sadly, we can only go back in our minds...that has to be good enough. IF, however, we're still creating new memories, and are able to remember the old...we're definitely blessed, and can count ourselves among the lucky.