Iowa Hicks in Their Natural Habitat
This photo reminds me of something you'd see in a fourth grade social studies textbook with a caption that says something like "Typical Midwestern backyard gathering in the 1960's." The cinder block step in front of the slightly askew screen door is classic. The funny thing about this picture is, that adorable little baby is me. This is one of several pictures my sisters sent me for Christmas. According to the date on the side of the picture, I am less than four months old. The Gingham Girl trying to break my arm is my sister Sherry. The fashion plate with the hip specs and the pixie 'do in the front is my cousin Susan. I think I can even spot my sister Laura's head at the bottom.
This picture is so foreign to me. My family left Iowa soon after my third birthday. I have almost no memory of having lived there. Oddly enough, I do clearly remember arriving at our next home in Wisconsin, and little bits about settling in. Why can't I remember anything just one week earlier? Or even a few days? Granted, Wisconsin isn't THAT much different from Iowa. And I really liked our new town. But all of my dozens of uncles and aunts and cousins were in Iowa. I've often wondered what it would have been like to grow up surrounded by a really BIG family. I think that woman holding me is my Aunt Evelyn. She died last year. I barely knew her.