Memory Snippets

Being Two, Give or Take

I remember sitting on the piano bench which was a converted dressing table seat. My legs were not long enough to hang over the edge. I would get uncomfortable sitting that way and wanted to sit on the edge so my legs could hang down. I was afraid to do that as I thought I would fall off.

My mother had kidney problems and varicose veins which meant her legs swelled so that the skin was tight and it was painful to the touch. I remember sitting on the floor at her feet and wanting to sit on her lap. I touched her leg and the pain it caused her stopped me from wanting up.

My mother was a member of Eastern Star, an organization for women who were related to a Mason. She did not drive so a lady came by to take her to the meetings. When the lady came into the house she asked me how old I was. I held up two fingers and I remember Mom telling her I was two. Before she left she said she was "going to star" and would be back after I had gone to bed. I rushed to the window so I could see the car fly. I was so disappointed that it went down the street without flying up to the "star."