Summer of 55
(as seen through the eyes a 13 year old girl)
Eula and Henry needed to visit folks in North Carolina.
Their boys had never been out of Texas or anywhere.
It was time to meet the grandparents and the cousins.
"We'll need a sitter for the boys lets get Maria."
Maria was happy to be able to leave Texas quickly.
Only thirteen and getting notices by the boys and men.
Maria observed her sister Elana already married and with child.
She felt that sixteen was too young to be married.
Maria wanted to travel the world and see the sights.
Traveling by auto Maria shared the back with the boys.
Pulling into orchards or truck stops they slept until morning.
They changed clothes and washed up in gas stations.
Eula brought food so all they bought was their drinks.
Everyone got along and Eula was happy to have Maria.
Maria liked the little boys and was happy to leave Texas.
North Carolina was lush and green with beautiful high hills.
Tiny water plants you could eat were in the streams.
The cool mountain air was so crisp and invigoratingly clean.
She felt the people there were very polite and kind.
The men and boys were gentlemen and left her alone.
All the ladies and girls welcomed her to their homes.
Hanna and she quickly became friends running on the mountain.
They obtained cardboard and slid down the hills every day.
Running along the creeks and hunting for watercress was fun.
All the different words she learned were new to her.
Poke meant sack or bag and pop was a soda!
She was kidded lots but it was all in fun.
Oh,my goodness the churches there were something to behold.
She had never been in a Southern Baptist Church ever.
Loud preaching and gospel music made you pay great attention.
One day Eula told Maria we will be leaving soon.
I must go to Tennessee to see my other relatives.
They are very poor but I love them so much.
The relatives in Tennessee were as old as the hills.
Their poor dirt floor homes were clean and well kept.
They offered biscuits and jelly with coffee for a hospitality.
On the trip back to Texas Maria had a plan.
She would study hard in school and learn a profession.
Not quite sure what but it would involve traveling.
© Julia A Knaake