Remembering “ME” – Part 2

“This is the second in a series of three articles, responding to

questions about my childhood and teenage years.”

 

What was the toy you remember most from your childhood?

I only got toys at Christmas and before January ended, they were either broken or forgotten.

As a child, I spent most of my time playing different games

Jacks

Hopscotch

Double Dutch

Paper Dolls

Old Maid Cards

These activities were easily replaced when lost or broken.

I also read a lot and visiting the neighborhood library every other week brought many new adventures into my life.  I read every book, some more than once, in the Nancy Drew Mystery Series.

Mama struggled for many hours trying to teach me embroidery.  Though, I loved the beautiful pieces she created, I lacked the patience to complete a project.  Maybe, I’ll try this again.

 What movie do you remember seeing as a teenager?

Though I saw this movie in 1959, thinking about it still brings tears – “Imitation of Life.”  I remember going to the movie with a friend; and, we both cried throughout the movie.

The film tells the story of a white actress and a homeless black widow who move in together.   The Black mother and her young light-skinned daughter need a place to live; and, the white actress was looking for a live-in childcare for her daughter.

Problems arise years later when the light-skinned daughter decides to past for white and totally rejects her mother.  Despite the mother’s pleas, the daughter refuses to reconcile.  And, after a number of failed attempts to reunite with her daughter, the mother dies from a broken heart.

The funeral takes place — in a large and beautiful church, a Gospel  Choir, a solo by Mahalia Jackson, a long procession with a white horse-drawn hearse just as the mother had requested.   Shortly, before the procession begins the daughter throws herself upon the casket and asked for forgiveness.

Everyone left the theater crying.