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Archiver > NEWGEN > 1999-02 > 0919317422


From: bettie wood <>
Subject: [NEWGEN-L] MY HOME TOWN
Date: Wed, 17 Feb 1999 23:57:02 -0600


My home town is not where my heart is. My home town wasn't a town at
all. I lived on a ranch in South Texas, far from everyone. There was
no one around for me to play with, talk to, etc. (Boo-Who!) Lots of
times, illegal aliens from Mexico would come by for something to eat or
drink. My dad would let them "work" to earn their "eats". Sometimes,
they stayed on. It takes a vivid imagination to grow up that way. My
husband tells me that I do have one, too!!!! I was adopted at the age
of 3 (was born in Houston, TX), & lived on this ranch all my single
life. I went to school in Laredo, TX-that was at least 35 miles away!
I'm sure glad I didn't have to walk to school the way my folks did!!
haha. Believe it or not, I can't milk a cow, although I would like to
"learn". Now, don't get me wrong, I have many fond memories of this
place, even though, I was in an abusive household. I was "Cinderella",
& had brothers-not sisters.
Wichita Falls, TX is where my heart is. This is the place where I felt
the most comfortable, even with tornadoes around. It was the place
where I had my first & only miscarriage, my 2 children were born, my
love for my husband grew tremendously, our first unmobile home (I love
mobile homes, too), & my first ever tragedy. A tornado hit the town in
1979, & almost blew our end of town away. The love of your neighbors, &
friends was very apparent then. You come to realize how valuable &
short your life is, & not to waste any of it. My father-in-law passed
away within days of this disaster. I came to realize at this point,
that even though I hadn't had a happy childhood, at least I had both my
folks living. By the end of 1979, we had moved to East Texas. Not long
after moving , my folks divorced. I thought it was my fault, too. My
dad & I made amends for the past & what a precious relationship we had
afterwards. In less than 7 years, he would be gone too. I haven't seen
or heard from my mother in over 8 years. I don't know where she is, or
if she's even still living. I do know she has missed so much.
I guess where we live, Tatum, TX, is my "real" home town now. It's a
very small town. Friendly folks. Very low crime rate. We do lock our
doors, though. Everybody jumps right in to help in times of need. It's
like we have our own little world, inside another world. I've heard my
children say many times, "I'll never live here." Strangest thing,
though, they both are. I don't think they'll ever get too far away!
Bettie <><

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