1952 Gifts

Christmases and birthdays were pretty simple events. Most of the time I wished they did not happen because we were so poor. But there were some great gifts too.

I will always be grateful for two gifts from my Uncle Jim. One was a wind-up grader and the other was a chemistry set.

The wind-up grader was amazing. I can remember taking it down beyond the swings in the front yard and watching in amazement as it moved along and smoothed the dust. The blade would adjust up and down and rotated too!!

Of course and unfortunately, the inner-workings of the grader became my focus. I very carefully took it apart. I remember noting how each bracket connected as I had every intention of putting it back together. By the time I got to the spring and transmission it was too late - there was no going back.

The chemistry set gave just a hint of what could be done through chemistry. I could read most of the manual and conducted many of the tests therein. Finally though, I lost interest due to the limitation of not being able to make explosives.

I did get a beautiful red wagon. If you read a story about this type of toy then you have read my story. I could load it up and empty it out and play and play and play. Among my favorite pleasures was hauling my little sister about and watching the tracks in the deep dust.

The only gift I have a memory of giving was a comb to Uncle Jim. I was so embarrassed and it hurt deeply. I can only assume that I realized what he had given me and wanted to give back equally.