Diaries 1968
I started journalling just after my eighth birthday. That attempt lasted only three months or so. I tried my hand at writing a diary again just after my 12th birthday. I think I was in grade 7 that January. I remember being so excited about being asked to be a librarian for the new fledgling library our principal was starting for our tiny school. We had 10 grades, three teachers and 66 students. The library wasn't much bigger than a closet but what honour and prestige to be part of its founding! I remember feeling so very important.
For years my grandparents took my mom, my and my three younger sisters ice skating once a week in the winter. The January I was 12 was the first time and I had to share my mom's skates because I didn't have any of my own.
That same January a well-known speaker was brought to the city by my church. So many people were expected that we rented one of the old stone churches. It was massive, complete with pipe organ and U-shaped balcony. What fun I remember having, exploring this place and being amazed at all the different kinds of rooms they had. I can't remember a thing about the speaker, however, though I duly noted his name in my diary.
Our church community was like a miniature sub-culture and was very close-knit. As I've read through the things I've written, I've really been impressed by the closeness we had with everyone even though we were all spread out over a large city.
At 12, I got my first job in direct sales, selling greeting cards and gift items. I also got my first experience in customers stiffing the salesperson as one person made a very large order and then never paid me for it. I had the turtle-shaped pajama bag she ordered for many years. What else was I going to do with it?
I was taking piano lessons, swimming lessons, went to church twice on Saturday and to Pathfinders (like Scouts) on Sunday mornings. I was starting to get crushes on boys.
In July I sewed a dress for my mom and a week later sewed another for someone else.
In August I got my first 3-speed bike. My grandpa "made" bikes in his basement from various used bike parts he managed to scrounge.
For years my grandparents took my mom, my and my three younger sisters ice skating once a week in the winter. The January I was 12 was the first time and I had to share my mom's skates because I didn't have any of my own.
That same January a well-known speaker was brought to the city by my church. So many people were expected that we rented one of the old stone churches. It was massive, complete with pipe organ and U-shaped balcony. What fun I remember having, exploring this place and being amazed at all the different kinds of rooms they had. I can't remember a thing about the speaker, however, though I duly noted his name in my diary.
Our church community was like a miniature sub-culture and was very close-knit. As I've read through the things I've written, I've really been impressed by the closeness we had with everyone even though we were all spread out over a large city.
At 12, I got my first job in direct sales, selling greeting cards and gift items. I also got my first experience in customers stiffing the salesperson as one person made a very large order and then never paid me for it. I had the turtle-shaped pajama bag she ordered for many years. What else was I going to do with it?
I was taking piano lessons, swimming lessons, went to church twice on Saturday and to Pathfinders (like Scouts) on Sunday mornings. I was starting to get crushes on boys.
In July I sewed a dress for my mom and a week later sewed another for someone else.
In August I got my first 3-speed bike. My grandpa "made" bikes in his basement from various used bike parts he managed to scrounge.
posted by Magdaleine at 1:05 AM
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