What do you do if something extraordinary happens to you–out of the blue? I ask because such an event landed in my checking account on March 10th. I don’t need to describe the boring details, but it involved Social Security. (SS) My reaction was similar to the loss cycle: bargaining, denial, anger, depression, and then acceptance. Initially, I thought, “What? This … [Read more...]
I didn’t like the city . . .
I was born in Ovid, Colorado on February 14, 1927 to Frank and Mayme Tate. I was the fifth child of seven kids. My father worked at the Sugar Beet Factory in Ovid. I remember playing with my sisters, brothers and cousins. I started to school when I was 5 years old. When I was in the first grade, I was doing summersaults on the iron bars at the school and fell and hit my … [Read more...]
Sharing a pair
I think most children are very self-conscious in their elementary years. I was; I wanted to fit in. In 4th grade, I was "the new girl" in Akron, Colorado. Getting ready for the school year meant the usual: a new tablet, new crayons, some #2 pencils, and a spiral notebook for spelling. Also needed was a pair of tennis shoes so we didn't mark up the gym floor upstairs in Akron … [Read more...]
Best Childhood Ever
I was born and raised in Akron (population 1,900) on the Colorado Plains. You could see for miles and miles. It was especially beautiful when the wheat was ripe and golden, waving in the wind. Ranchers and farmers from the county came to town on Saturday for supplies, and it was an exciting bustling time. The kids played in the park, and the families had picnics in the … [Read more...]
I would get in trouble for what my little sisters did
I’ve been in charge since the day I can remember. If something went wrong, it was my fault. Put in charge. I always had one two or three little sisters with me, and if someone was naughty, it was my fault. I got far more spankings for what they did instead of what I did. I enjoyed having sisters. I didn’t want to be an only child, but one day, my cousin Loraine said she wanted … [Read more...]
Sterling services
Are you still seeing clients in the Sterling area? If not, could you please recommend someone for marriage counseling. Thank you. … [Read more...]
Retirement
Good morning Jennifer, This is an old friend from Pickens, I read your new letter all the time and recently I picked up your book and read several stories you wrote about counseling clients, hoping I would find something about my situation but I did not, so I decided to write. I have made the decision to retire in May after 30 years in education. I find myself scared, … [Read more...]
Esther Guy
Esther is my mothers cousin. Could you send me a written copy so I can share it with her? I don't have a copier. I went to Akron high school with you for two years until we moved to Idaho. 1650 east. 3800 north. Buhl , Idaho. 83316 … [Read more...]
Just be happy
I love when I’m allowed to have fun with no trouble after. No consequences. Fun at no one’s expense. Like if the whole world knew what I did, no one would be hurt. No one would mind if I were having fun if they were my friend. I don’t like when people copy what I do because they probably wouldn't enjoy doing what I do anyway. For example, I’ve had a lot of people jealous of … [Read more...]
First real job and tenacity lesson
The summer before my sophomore year at Akron High School, when I was fourteen, I wanted to work at Schafer Drug. I needed money, liked the soda fountain in the store, and knew work was the only sufficient excuse not to go fishing with my family. I approached the owner/pharmacist, Rollie Schafer, and asked if he was hiring. A man of few words, he said, “No, maybe later.” I … [Read more...]
Survival by Gratitude
I concede, my early life was a little different. My father was a disabled WW I Veteran, and I seldom saw him. I didn’t know him at all. He died when I was eight. After high school, my mother took a train, all by herself, to New York City where she studied to be a legal secretary. When I was sixteen, my mother sat me down and said, “I need to tell you how you became my … [Read more...]