My First Memories

I was four years old and we lived above the gas station on Springmill Road (Route 39) heading towards Shelby.  Vague impressions of living upstairs.  But I remember "that" day.  In June, 1963.  Mom had been in the hospital and she was coming home.  She brought our new baby brother home with her.  His name is Steve.  And he's a little cutie.  Now I have a little sister and two baby brothers.  Wow.  The next memory I recall is living in the basement on Belmont and Mike and I were going to start Kindergarten.  I was so scared.
Last day of Kindergarten, my face was covered in poison ivy.  That was one of the curses of my childhood.  The dreaded poison ivy.  I didn't even have to get close to it.  Just stand downwind and I was covered.  So thankful that I finally outgrew it.


I remember the first time we went to Uncle Bill and Aunt Gails' new house.  It seemed like they had such a big yard.  I also recall the little trailer they lived in before this at the back of the property at Mamaw and Papaw Reeder's house on Trimble Road.  But it was really cool when they moved into the new house.  They had a big basement and a garage and everything.  It was really cool.  

November, 1963.  Mom cried and cried.  If you hadn't known, you would think President Kennedy was a very close friend or family member.  And for days that was all that was on the 3 channels on the black & white TV.  All about President John F. Kennedy being shot and killed and then his funeral procession.  Because Mom was so upset, there was a lasting impression left in my memory bank at the ripe old age of 4 -1/2.


Uncle Charles was in an accident when he was in the Service.  Mamaw flew to see him.  No one thought he would live.  And he was in the hospital for a long time.  He had to learn to walk again.  But one of my favorite memories is Uncle Charles coming to the house and he always gave me a quarter and he always smelled so good.  To this day I love the smell of "Jade East".

WHAT IS YOUR FIRST MEMORY???