We are promised 3 score and 10 years as a good life time. That gift is my reality with bonus added. Looking back, the really amazing fact is that, I have made it .
Maybe the fact that the Lord protects children, and looks after fools is true!
Growing up in rural Saluda County, SC in the late 1940 through 1950′s was an interesting experience. Town was 5 miles away; our only transportation was a battered old red truck Daddy used to get to work, or the mule and one horse wagon Grandpa Gis used for every other transportation need.
I felt a clear distinction between the “rich town folk” and us “p’or folk”.
My early childhood memories are a chilling example of the conflicting emotions of snobbish contempt for those believed to be, somehow, ”better than me” and a burning desire to have what “they had”.
Why did I feel this way?
My parents never taught me to diminish my value; but, come to think of it, I was never encouraged to reach out, to believe that I could become a part of a world outside the restricting little community I was born into.
As a six to 10 year old child, I observed.
Rather than viewing community improvement as a signal for opportunity, I viewed them as a painful reminder; I was not of ”their world”.
As a young child I remember feeling I was the beggar under the rich man’s table searching for scraps.
A child often misunderstands intents of adults; a resentful child assigns negative motives to simple acts of kindness.
Sadly, in my childish mind, simple acts of kindness and caring, emphasized the differences in the worlds of the “haves and have-nots”.
It frightens me to realize where this could have led.
The world turned on its head during the decades of the 60′s and 70′s; unthinkable events took place; social systems crumbled; a world that was, literally ended
My generation was forced to examine its convictions and act on them, for better or worse–there was little choice.
There were many who allowed the poisonous ideas of a world of ”have and have-nots” to fester to a point of eruption that threatened the existence of both worlds.
I graduated high school in 1959, my resentment and discontent was gone. I knew who I was; what I stood for.
Why change in my thinking?
How was I able to smother the seeds of bigotry that were taking root when I was so young?
I began to recognize two things when I was about 10 years old.
About this time I began to think very seriously about God. I remember sitting in the cab of that old red truck studying, feeling a thrill that there is a personal God who cares. I came to really believe that it does not matter who you are, what you have; He sees, smiles, guides.
It was then that I determined that I would do what I understood to be God’s will no matter the consequences; I began to see my limited possessions, talents and opportunities as godly gifts.
I was only 10, but I understood.
The Saluda School System was in its infancy 60 years ago; but what a world those dedicated teachers opened to those thirsting for knowledge. The names Bradley, Waters, Cromley, Bullard, Carson, Forrest still shine as examples of ones who cared in my early years.
It is not so much the principles of life that I remember from them; it is the love of knowledge, information–simply coming to know I can do it, that I treasure.
In high school the learning of life values was an osmotic process as I watched those guiding me through the educational process. I learned method, but more importantly, I observed in their lives morality, trustworthiness, commitment to principal. They seemed to have something to give; they gave from their hearts.
In the dark ages of my youth , the value of higher education was not recognized as it is today.
High School graduation was the goal of the majority; a few would be privileged to go further.
Finances limited opportunity; but I think there was a feeling that higher education was simply a way to avoid getting on with ”real life”.
Personally, I never pursued a higher education, first for financial reasons; later becoming involved in life’s pursuits gave me an excuse for avoiding the commitment to a scholastic life, in short, I am lazy.
I am so glad that I did absorb the understanding that information is out there–I can find it.
It has been my privilege to associate with many well educated, intelligent people who have been willing to tolerate my presence — I learned from them.
Materially I still have less than some but I feel rich beyond compare; life has been good.
Gardening, Creatures and Life In A Small Town 
