I put the flowers as far as I could get them into the gas tank of Mr. Norwood’s car, thinking at barley 6-years-old I was going a good thing. I then took Mr. Norwood his and told him I was sorry that I had acted out because I did not get dessert. He was such a kind man and said that was ok, just for me to be a nice little lady and when my Grandmother said no, it was no. A few days went by before Mr. Norwood set out for a drive to wherever I can not recall all the details.
I do remember the day my Mam and my Grandmother asked me if I did it and I said yes smiling with pride. I also remember Mama telling me that what I did messed up Mr. Noorwood’s car and that it had to go to the shop (car hospital) to be taken care of and that Mama and Daddy had to pay for it. I did not get a spanking but, the talk I got and the look I got from my Grandmother I think I would have rather had a spanking.
You know, you might be saying well where was your Grandmother while you were doing these things, it was 1961, much safer times and I was never ever out of sight. She was cooking for me Mama and daddy many days, washing dished by hand putting them away, doing laundry and bringing out the clothes to hang on the line and looking out at me often she just missed this but minutes I’m sure.
My Grandmother said you will need to stay very close to me, Debbie. Mama left and went to work and later that morning Grandmother said we were going to go with Mr. Norwood to the grocery store and have lunch if we had time. I thought oh no not Mr. Norwood! But, the whole day he did not mention it. I guess back then other folks just left that kind of stuff to the parents, I don’t know. I do remember Grandmother asking me after we had our lunch at my favorite restaurant if I wanted dessert? I said yes I do, please. While eating our desserts Mr. Norwood said, so Debbie, know you know that the only thing you can out in the cars gas tank is gasoline, right? I dropped my head and yes softly, yes, sir. He said I am not upset with you, but, if you had of got that gasoline in your eyes it would have really hurt. I know you were trying to help, but let’s not do that again ok. I said ok, knowing that I would never do it ever again.
We had our dessert and home we went the few groceries they got. When we got home I helped bring in the paper bags and Grandmother put me down for a nap. I could hear her putting them away in the kitchen next to the room where I slept. I also heard Mr. Norwood knock on the back door and them talking. He said ” we made it there and back the car is now running fine, bless her little heart she meant well, she just had no idea what it would do to the car and it could have been worse for her thank goodness she did not get gas on her. So, I thought the flowers were beautiful and that they would help the car to go and my Grandmother would not have to pay for gas. As I look back I have always tried to help others even as a small child right to this very day.
You know what, sometimes I still get myself into situations when trying to help others. It seems that in today’s world people want more, expect more, and what we sometimes do for a few is never enough. Times have surely changed from when I was 6 to 64 it is as if I lived in a totally different world. I think most all of you that grew up in my era would agree. I truly was an active child, teen, young adult, adult but, as a senior, my mind says yes but, my body says no.
Lesson learned, what you think is an easy fix for someone else is not always the case.
Love,
Debbie