You wouldn't think that writing a blog about childhood memories would ever result in writers block. But it did. I wanted to write about the group I had started, but I really couldn't think about how to get started or what I could talk about besides the group.
Then, I heard this on a show I was watching:
It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. ~EE Cummings
From the beginning I have been an individual. Partially because I had plenty of imagination to create a world that made me happy and mostly because I really didn't care what other people thought of me. I made my own way and marched to the beat of my own drummer. Social norms weren't for me. While I did like dolls, I also liked playing in the dirt with trucks.
I don't like dresses, never have, well except for long ones, because then I could wear shorts underneath. Maybe that's it, I don't like nylons - dresses may be ok. I did like tights - nice thick ones. In the 80's they had winter-all's, I remember those were nice, but you couldn't wear them in the summer.
In every job that I've ever had I have always pushed the dress code. Not thinking that the way I dress had anything to do with my performance or my knowledge. I mean, how would a suit have anything to do my ability to do a job. I always felt that people in suits were stuffy and I'd really work better when I was relaxed and comfortable.
I've never been one for makeup and my hair style has always (and is still) wash and wear. I did have a curling iron in high school, but for the most part I only used it for choir performances.
Friends of the friendless was a group I started up at the end of sixth grade, it really wasn't as bad as it sounds, but it was something that I made up. I even made up laminated cards (I laminated them by putting tape over them, since I didn't have access to a laminator). I guess it was partially a joke and partially how I felt. No one wanted someone like me in there group. I was headed to Junior High, the world of cliques and meaningless groups. Feelings of security were low and anxiety was high. I needed something I could hang onto that would allow me to enjoy my individual style and knew that not everyone would understand me.
I made up the group as sort of a joke, I mean, I really could escape into my own world whenever I needed to. Arlys, Liz and Sheri soon joined in and I made them cards as well. If nothing else we would always have each other as friends.
Looking back I realize how many friends I really had in Oak Creek, probably just as many, if not more than I did in Cudahy. But that summer, something happened that would make me think I needed to turn my membership in.
A family moved in next door. Just two children. They looked young and I went over to see if their parents ever needed a babysitter. I figured living next door I could easily fill the bill. I went over and introduced myself to the young girl. Imagine my surprise when I found out she was my age!
Her name was Lori and she had just moved from Cleveland, WI with her brother John and parents. She was the new kid! I knew how that was and decided right then and there I was going to be her best friend. I wasn't in any way concerned if she agreed with me, and you know what, we hit it off right from the start. She was Shirley to my Laverne.
We have been friends ever since.
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