Christmas in Missouri
We're moving. Again! I can't believe Mom & Dad are relocating after school has started but before Christmas. I know Dad has a new job, but is it worth moving all the way from Russellville, KY to Hannibal, MO?
It doesn't matter what I think. It never does. I'm just a kid. No, worse, I'm a teenager. Nobody listens to a teenager, especially parents who have four younger children to worry about.
So, here I go to pack all of my belongings. Maybe, just maybe, I'll have my own room.
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Hannibal isn't the worst place I've ever lived. We live out in the country and there must be at least twenty acres! There's a humongous pond in front of our home and the house has a indoor bathroom that works! Many of our previous houses had an outdoor toilet or else the one inside didn't work.
Best of all, I do have my own room! A fifteen year old shouldn't have to share a room with both of her younger sisters!
However, our first day in the new school was a mess! Our records weren't transferred. When asked how well I did in English Literature, I didn't know how to answer. I don't even remember what I said, but I was put in Basic English. After only a week or two, I tried to switch because it turned out to be more like Remedial English. Of course, the other English classes were all full. I had to stay in the dumbed-down class.
At least I'm taking Spanish. My first year Spanish class is held with the fourth year group. Wow, that guy in the senior class sure is cute!
For the first time in my life, I'm enjoying Physical Education. This school actually teaches tennis and the correct way to play volleyball! Before Christmas, we're suppose to learn basketball with a “keyhole” defense. I don't know what that is, but it has to be better than “man-on-man.”
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Halloween was terrific! Our church had a bonfire and a hayride. Since the preacher owns our house, it was held here! I don't usually like being amongst a slew of people, but outside near the huge pond, it wasn't bad. Roasting marshmallows and telling ghost stories has never been so much fun!
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Thanksgiving day was nice. My dad brought a turkey home from work and we fixed it with all the trimmings. After dinner, we went outside and played on the well-frozen pond. In southern Kentucky, November almost never gets cold enough to freeze even a small pond, much less one this size. One of my sisters has a pair of ice skates, but the rest of us enjoyed sliding around in our regular shoes!
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It's December now, and we will soon lose our new home!! Dad has informed us that he will be laid-off. We're all worried about where we're going to live after that. I don't understand why we can't just stay here for a while. After all, we don't actually pay rent! Dad is fixing up the house in return for the preacher letting us live here.
But, Mom says we have to go and even suggested moving in with one of my aunts. Not even my richest relatives have more than one spare bedroom and this particular aunt lives in a double-wide trailer with her husband and three children!
All this stress is creating serious problems and I've literally begged my parents to find another solution!
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We received some good news on Christmas Eve! Dad had spent last weekend in Russellville and is going back to work where he has been employed for most of my life! The only house he could find is the exact same one we moved out of in September. It only has about five rooms and a bathroom, but, at least, we'll know our neighbors. That's a lot better than living with my aunt, trust me!
On Christmas morning, all five of us children discovered at least three presents each! I don't know how Mom & Dad did it without the Salvation Army's help, but I suspect our landlord/preacher had something to do with it.
I've been back in Russellville for two weeks and I can't even recall what my presents were, but I still think this was a Christmas worth remembering!!
“Christmas in Missouri” is based on a real life experience, but may not be 100% true.
