This is my post for #memoirmonday #38 - Who is someone you’ve lost touch with but think about often, and what impact did they have on your life?
I was 3 months of turning 15 when my Dad moved us from Florida to Missouri and I was not getting along with my step mother or her daughter who was married to my oldest brother. My Dad made me quit school when I was 16 which made things worse at home.
I am in front on Sugar
I had saved my money and bought a horse from our closest neighbor. They were big into trail rides and I jumped at the chance to go with them. Bob and Barbara were their names, I became good friends with Barbara and when she had a baby and was going back to work, they asked me if I would babysit for them of course, I said yes, it got me away from the house.
Bob was a truck driver and was gone several nights a week. I started staying with Barbara when he was away. Barbara was deathly afraid of tornados, at the first sign of a storm, she was gathering things to take to the cellar. We spent a lot of time in the cellar playing canasta by a kerosene lamp.
They were both there for me any time I needed help. One time Bob drove round trip 120 miles to get me out of a bad situation. He wasn't home that much but still came and got me. He was one of the kindest men that I knew.
I feel bad because when I moved back to Florida I lost touch. When Bob passed I sent flowers and talked to Barbara but it felt like I should have done more.
When FB came out I found Barbara on it and we talked but in time we drifted apart and Barbara is now gone. I should have reached out more and that is something I will have to live with.
There is no doubt in my mind that she knew how much I cared for them both like I knew how much they cared for me but that is different than staying in touch.
Photos are mine
In the top photo I am on the right on my horse Sugar
