HIDDEN TRUTHS REVEALED - PART 2

During that time there were no computers, Gameboys, video games; just television, at least in our household. Did not participate in any school sport or extracurricular activity. Just played with neighbors, school and church friends or sat on my butt and watched television. I did do my fair share of reading--mystery novels mainly, but the boob tube was my favorite source of entertainment. And it would be fair to say it was our main nightly family activity at least with Dad. Mom would sit there but was usually preoccupied with a book or completing an unfinished chore from earlier in the day.

We were a typical middle-class family who had clothes on our back, enough food on the table and never really in desperate need of anything but as a kid you’re always in want. Don’t consider myself or my brother ever spoiled or catered to. I tried to manipulate the system to get what I wanted but did not always succeed. Manipulation meaning running around the house screaming especially in the summertime when the windows were opened (a necessity when having a swamp cooler). Mom didn’t want the neighbors thinking she was abusing her child.

Also during that time food was food. There was no concern regarding fats, transfats, too much sugar, too much caffeine, limited number of eggs per week, butter versus margarine, or whole milk versus skim. I ate exactly as I pleased. Received a weekly allowance for doing chores and every jaunt to the store resulted in purchases of candy especially cinnamon balls or Jolly Roger sticks or something else to appease my sweet tooth. In the summertime the hand was literally in the cookie jar first thing in the morning. Didn’t matter what kind as long as it was sweet. In New Mexico you could receive a home delivery of Charlie’s Chips that came in a golden tin can and were considered the best chips you could possibly eat. My favorite thing to do was sit with the can of chips and dip each chip in a jar of peanut butter. Every Christmas--screw the gifts and let me at my stocking where hopefully was a Lifesaver book and box of chocolate covered cherries.

The family took up the game of tennis and tried to get me to play. No, thanks, I was too busy watching Gilligan’s Island or I Love Lucy. The more my parents and brother tried to get me to cut down, the more Debbie kept at it. Hey, things were going fine and still had friends but deep down knew it bothered me especially during PE class in middle school. We had to wear these awful short, blue one-piece gym suits with a sewed on belt around the waist and elastic around the legs which really accentuated my thunder thighs. Became friends with Mary who was heavier than me. Don’t recall ever having discussions about our weight but felt comfortable being together. The worst part of class was the gymnastic portion and getting on the balance beam. Shook like a leaf--not a pretty sight and did wonder what others were thinking or if they were laughing behind our backs.

Went to a brand new high school which was the first in the city to start with the 9th grade. Soon became acclimated to the surroundings. Had been within walking distance during elementary school and was bused to junior high but now we had to make the long 1-½ mile trek each way. At least got some exercise but not enough for what food was still inhaled. One side of the cafeteria served the traditional fare as in most school cafeterias, but the other side had a new concept--vending-type selections. Debbie’s daily lunch of choice: chicken fried steak sandwich, bag of Fritos, container of orange drink, and a Nestle’s Crunch. Nourishing, ain‘t it?

Had considered making a change but kept procrastinating. Christmas came again and got the presents and the goodies in the stocking. Ate them with the usual flair. Dad always took home movies and still shots during major holidays or celebrations. My brother had just had major hip surgery and one particular picture caught my eye. Around the tree stood my brother with crutches, and me sitting on the couch, an out-of-shape 12 year old who weighed 135 pounds. The picture still haunts me to this day.

(to be continued)