MY FIRST SCHOOL GRADE Once upon another time, oh so long ago, it was September, 1929, and I was going to be 6 years old on October 20th. I thought I would be starting school. As the school term began, I was so happy and excited about it - and a few days later, so disappointed about it. The classes that year were crowded, and four of us born in October had to wait another year to start school. I can still remember their names: Martha Jane Miller, Paul Pursley, and Edgar McKain. I wonder if they are still living and if they remember my name. The next year, when we finally attended school in September, 1930, we were excited and happy again, more than ever. I loved learning and going to school every day. My first grade school teacher's name was Clara Hill, and she told me that my name was not spelled correctly. My name was Marylynn Jean, and she said it should have been spelled Marilyn Jean. She was wrong, but so it remained. My mother told me that a similar event had happened to her. She was your great-great-grandmother. She was born in Jasper, Indiana, in 1904, as Lulu Esther Dieckmann. Her school teacher changed the spelling of her name to Louise Esther and, later somehow, down through the years, it became Louise Esther Dickman....and so it remained. The next summer after the four of us completed the first grade, my mother received a notice from the State of Indiana Board of Education stating that the four students who, through no fault of their own, were refused entrance into the first grade in 1929, would now be eligible to take a special examination, provided they were "A" students. Upon receiving a passing grade, they would be allowed to skip the second grade and enter the third grade at the beginning of the school year in September, 1931, and would be awarded a certificate of honor. And so, we were required to take the test at the teacher's house during the summer. I remember being upset and really afraid that I would fail. However, we did all pass. We were all happy and relieved to be entering the third grade. Continuing through the years of my childhood, I want to tell you more about my life, especially my personal world at that time in history. The Great Depression began in the year 1929, when I was 6 years old. If you haven't studied history lessons and learned about this tragic event, you should at some time in your school life. The Great Depression was a severe, world-wide economic downfall in the decade preceding World War II. The timing varied from nation to nation, but in most countries it started in 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or the middle of the 1940s. It was the longest, most widespread and deepest depression of the 20th century. I would like for you to know how it affected me personally, because I actually lived through those years, and I am one of the few still living now in 2013. This depression caused devastating effects the world over, especially for poor people, with much suffering, hunger, starvation, and ill health. It was hurtful in so many ways, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. At that time, Daddy had a full-time job and a part-time job, and we were not in dire need; however, many of our relatives, neighbors, and friends lived in very difficult circumstances. My mother was sympathetic, compassionate, intuitive, artistic, spiritual and understanding. She thought that everybody should help somebody. So, Mother, once a week for a very long time, made homemade bread and prepared food to last for several days for a neighbor with 7 children, who had no money to buy food. I remember one time in particular. Someone answered the door and invited us to come in. I shall never forget that visit. The room was dark and cold. There was no heat in the house. Blankets were hung over all the windows to keep out the cold air. Mother took kerosene and immediately lit an oil lamp. Daddy took bags of coal and started a fire in the small, pot-bellied stove. Mother sliced the loaves of bread and placed a plate of fresh butter on the table and served a large pot of vegetable soup. All at once, there was a lot of noise coming from someplace in the corner of the room, and 7 children tumbled out of bed. We left them there, happy and warm, not at all hungry for that day. They knew we would be back another day. In retrospect, I realize that life was certainly not easy for my parents, and they worked hard to create a good life for me and my 3 sisters. They bought a new piano, so that we could take music lessons. There was a music teacher named Mary Fisher who came to our house once a week. The music lessons cost 25 cents each -- imagine that! Mother went to town every Saturday morning to shop, looking in all the plate glass store windows for the latest, up-to-date fashions. She drew pictures of the prettiest dresses and then, at home, she made her own patterns out of newspaper. She was a good seamstress, so she was able to create the current styles for us on her own. We were the best-dressed children for miles around. Daddy owned a truck and bought a new car in 1933. Everybody seemed to think we were rich. We really weren't, but I understand now that we were quite prosperous compared to other people struggling through the Depression. All of this was possible because Daddy worked for the Ideal Pure Milk Company. His job included handling heavy cans. Once, he had an opportunity to get a better job that wasn't as physical, and Mother wanted him to take it. He tried, but the job involved tasting cream. It made him sick at his stomach, and he couldn't do it. But he did have a second job 3 nights a week, picking up the cream and delivering it to the company the next morning. During those years, I really was very happy. Mother and Grandma, whom I loved very much, planted a vegetable garden every summer and canned food for the winter. Mother was always very concerned about health and nutrition for the whole family. During childhood, we were healthy. We were not given medicines or vaccinations, and didn't go to the doctor or dentist as there was no need. There is no way to tell you how much I appreciate my mother and grandma. I was a curious child, often asking, "Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going? Why, why, why?" They were always patient with me. Many times, on hot summer nights, we sat out in the yard and discussed all different kinds of religions and philosophies in the world and all about life. They taught me to be moral, honest, and kind to others, and also fostered my love of learning and reading. Until another time................ Your Great-Grandmother Marilyn
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AuthorMarilyn Nance Archives
July 2013
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