I Put Away Childish Things
by
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Chapter 1
I never considered myself a beautiful girl. My dad said I was his brown-eyed beauty. He would pat my head and say I had hair the color of wheat in sunshine. He always called me his number one girl. I was, in fact, his only girl. I guess I was just the same as any teenager growing up in the late 1930s. I had dreams and desires that were important to me. I had no idea what life had in store; I just wanted to have fun like most kids. I was getting ready to graduate from high school and was looking forward to the lazy days of summer. I wanted to live it up and enjoy my life.
Since I was thirteen, my parents had depended on me to help around the house and tend to my little brothers. I was sick of housework and tending to little kids. I didn’t mind helping them as long as I could go out dancing on the weekends, but I wasn’t ready to settle down and start keeping house, even though I had a boyfriend whom I loved and who loved me. We were both getting out of school, and our futures looked bright. It was a great time to be alive.
I never thought much about grown-up issues. I always figured my parents would take care of me because that’s what they had always done. Jack, my boyfriend, was ready for married life, but not me. I was a young woman on the brink of great possibilities, and nothing could slow me down. Life was to be lived and lived to the fullest. I think most of my philosophical ideas came from magazines; nevertheless, I headed into the future with my eyes full of stars and dancing shoes on my feet.
My main interest was learning all the new dance moves. I loved the big bands and could master almost any new dance. We were at the peak of the swing era, and I could jitterbug better than any of my friends. Benny Goodman was my favorite. I could hear him on the radio, and sometimes I could pick up Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey. This music drove me like a moth to a flame.
We were not a rich family. My dad worked for the railroad and made a decent wage. I had everything a girl could want. I had a family who loved me and a great boyfriend. I was looking forward to graduating and getting a job. I wanted to be free to do anything I wanted when I wanted.
“Dad, the water is only coming out in a trickle again. How am I going to wash these dirty plates with no water? Dad, hit those pipes again—the water is still not coming fast enough! When is old man Johnson going to fix our plumbing?”
I am so sick of this. I’ll never get these dishes finished! I want to go downtown today and do some shopping. Woolworth’s has some new lipstick colors, and Mary Ellen and I want to get first pick.
“Georgie, let Sammy go! You know he isn’t as strong as you. Every time you hold his head down on the floor like that, you get his heart racing. You know he’s got a condition. Let him go!”
“He’s always taking my candy, and he never does anything to earn it. I pick up bottles all day, and all he ever does is play, and then I have to share with him! It’s not fair, and I’m tired of giving to him, and all he does is shoot marbles!” Georgie shouted.
“Leave him alone. He has a condition. Dad, please hit those pipes again before you go to work!”
“All right, Gracie lass, but I don’t have much time. I can’t be late today because I get paid time and a half on Saturday. Make your mum a cup of tea; she is having a hard time getting up this morning. The baby is pressing on her back, so she needs to stay in bed. Gracie girl, you need to stay home today and tend to your mum and your brothers. Her time is getting close.”
“Dad, you know this is the only day I can do what I want, with school and the household chores.”
“Not today, Gracie. You’re the only one I can count on; you’re my number one girl. Boys, go outside and give this lass some peace. Georgie, you had better go down to Eighteenth Street today. I hear the neighbors had a party the night before last. There should be lots of beer bottles lying around. You know how Stu likes to raise his elbow with his friends. Gracie, I got to go. You know we need the extra money to pay for little Kenney’s funeral. Even though he was just three years old, those funeral homes don’t drop the price on those wee boxes. It still hurts my heart to think of that sweet lad dying so young before he had a chance to live. Pray for your mum. She still can’t stop thinking of him, even with a new one on the way.”
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About the Book
Gracie is a teenage girl growing up in the late 30s prior to the 2nd World War. She is getting ready to graduate from high school and begin living her life her way. She resents being the older sister because much of the responsibility for household chores and minding her brothers has been placed on her. She wants to graduate, get a job and start having some fun. Drawn into all of the family’s responsibilities, Gracie must assume the role of full-time mother and housekeeper when tragedy strikes. Gracie learns through the challenges that she endures to develop a strong faith. She learns not to resent God but to recognize that her struggles are what drove her to Him.
About the Author
Carole Ann Marvin is a retired school teacher and guidance counselor. She was born in the 40s and raised through the 50s and 60s. She has been married to the same man for 56 years and they still like each other! She has 3 grown children and 5 half- grown grandchildren. She has been a Christian for 60 years and the Lord has taught her to hear His voice. Carole feels like He actually wrote this book through her. As a school counselor, she has been able to see and understand the workings of the human heart. She has had years dealing with the emotional needs of people young and old. Her book is in story form but it brings spiritual principles into reality. She believes it will hold the reader’s interest and speak their language.