My Blog List

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Hold Everything Lightly #1 {The Lake}


The installments in this series will not be an easy read nor easy for me to write.
 I do not intend to sully the memory of my parents but to tell the story as it was told to me and as I remember it. I am as imperfect as they were and I believe we are all damaged in some way. 
I loved my parents.
I love them still.
Charles and Kay were at Clarks Hill Lake, a large body of water that straddles the states of Georgia and South Carolina. Charles my father, by all accounts, was drinking and Kay, my mama, was hollering because she always was. It was 1964 and they were on a dusty dirt road in one of daddy's old cars. No one used seat belts in 1964. Daddy either hit the brakes or hit a stump in the road or both.
One could hardly tell if he was drunk, he held his liquor well.
 Until he passed out. Either way he wrecked that hot summer day on the Carolina side of the lake and mama's head struck the windshield with force. She was unconscious and he took her to University Hospital about thirty minutes away in Augusta, Georgia. She was admitted to the hospital for concussion. I was two years old and this would mark a seminal event in my life.
We lived on Carey Drive in Beech Island, South Carolina in the second house on the right. They were small houses, not mill houses, but almost with two bedrooms and one bath, most were one thousand square foot or less. My parent's house had a wispy weeping willow tree in the front yard and I always think of that little house when I see a willow tree. Mother's older brother Lester and his wife Vera lived four houses down from us. I went to live with them that day mama and daddy wrecked. Aunt Vera and Uncle Lester took me in during a critical time of my development and heaped love and attention upon me. They built me a bedroom onto the back of the house and bought me girly French Provencal furniture that I still have and will never part with. Mama and daddy loved me but fought frequently and there was a lot of chaos in contrast to my new family's home.

Living four houses from mama she was in and out all the time and is in all my elaborate birthday party pictures. I have few memories of daddy during this time and only two photos. In each photo I am sitting in his lap. My Aunt Vera was a gentle soft spoken woman who delighted in little surprises for me. One day I came home from school and there was string all over the yard and house and I was instructed to follow it. It lead to a pretty doll with ringlets in her hair. Vera was an expert seamstress and sewed most of my clothes and made intricate Barbie clothes too. My aunt and uncle taught me about living a daily life of faith that has never failed me even when I have stepped away from it. One day, when I was in first grade, I came home from school and my beloved Aunt Vera was laying on the sofa and I could not wake her. Vomit was all over the living room floor and my six year old mind did not comprehend what was happening.
I never saw her again.
 She died, at the hospital, a few hours later from a stroke. 

This would be the initial lesson in holding that which I hold dear lightly.
"Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts, when God pries your fingers open." 
---Corrie Ten Boom 1892-1983


♣♣♣

I have several installments written, as of yesterday, and will post in this series at the end of the month. I will let you know in advance. Thank you for your support and comments yesterday. Your comments mean more to me than you will ever know.
 

Olive




45 comments:

  1. I could "see" this all happening in my mind as I was reading. God is with you, and will bless your faithful heart and obedient spirit. love you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dear Olive, how very traumatic for a little child to suffer with. I can just feel how lost you must have felt
    that terrible day you lost your aunt!
    A loving home just gone and no explanation that one so young could
    understand.
    My loving concern for you, Maki
    Maki's Little Red House

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have never read the Hiding Place, Olive, but that is one powerful quote. Your own writing is powerful too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh goodness Olive.What a start to your early years and what a wonderful Aunt and Uncle you had. How sad that you lost your dear Aunt Vera so early
    I look forward to the next chapter. XXXX

    ReplyDelete
  5. Already I can see how God upheld you through your entire life...He is so very, very good.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh Olive, to lose your darling Aunt Vera when you were so young. She sounds like a sweetheart, the way she had the string lead to a doll for you. Your parents were going through rough times, that is for sure.

    ReplyDelete
  7. In Revolution From Within, Gloria Steinham talks about going back emotionally and mothering her child self. Your child self needs some hugging today. ~ Maureen

    ReplyDelete
  8. You write so well and lead us right along your story. I hope it's all sorted well enough in your mind not to cause more suffering. Thank you...I'll be looking.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your writing is unbelievable, Olive. I felt like this was the opening page of a novel, although sadly, it was an account of your early years. How tragic. Your Aunt Vera was a wonderful lady and treated you will love and compassion when you needed it most. I hope you carry those memories with you always.

    XO,
    Jane

    ReplyDelete
  10. Loss is difficult enough but at such a tender age...? I am thankful that you know God is in charge though we don't understand His reasons for certain things,rest assured that He knows best. Blessing.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Olive, thank you. That was powerful and I echo the same comments that everyone else have made.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your writing is so beautiful and it reminds me that we all have baggage from our past...some more than others...I, too, come from a very disfunctional home and understand your need to put everything down. I hope your family understands your need to do this. I have started writing my story too and hope to pass it on to my kids one day.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love this Olive. Your writing reminds me of one of my favorite authors, Pat Conroy...also from over your way.

    This brought tears to my eyes. My port in the storm was my Aunt Helen.

    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Olive, I love your style of writing..you write with such grace on it...I hope to be able to write my story in more depth too..people everywhere need to know they are not alone..there are a lot of us out here with some pretty severe dysfunction in our pasts...you share with such warmth..thank you...
    Mona

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh my Olive, Don't cry. I know sometimes we just have too, but, try and be happy. It is much better for the face, crying causes wrinkles. Richard from My Old Historic House.

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a sad, brave
    story to share. Vera
    and Lester sound like
    angels. I am on the
    edge of my seat waiting
    to hear what happened
    to my sweet friend, next.
    I pray that like cream,
    the best parts of your
    life lifted you up and
    left the sorrow behind.
    Not the we ever can,
    entirely.....

    Hugs to you,
    xx Suzanne

    ReplyDelete
  17. I was listening to Beth Moore a few minutes ago and she said all families have faced crisis and chaos. As a preacher's kid, I was expected to be perfect. Being the strong-willed child/person that I was/am, I didn't like rules. Well our church was full of them. I remember my mama, who I love dearly, taking me to the back Sunday School room and locking me in the room and turning out the light to punish me. I've always been afraid of the dark. As an adult, at a ladies' retreat, my mom came to me with tears running down her cheek and begged me to forgiv her for all those years of abuse. She said, "I just didn't know what to do." It was hard for her too because really she was only trying to be a good preacher's wife and didn't know how to handle a strong willed child. Yes, we all have a story. Thanks for being real! I love real people.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I hate to think of any child being anything but loved. It shakes me more than anything. My heart breaks for you Olive. I cannot relate and was spared trauma as a child but I can feel pain for you and do. You are strong though. My mother had a very abusive father but she was amazing and never let it taker her spirit. She was a wonderful mother and person.

    ReplyDelete
  19. That's a lot to take in as a child. We all have our trials, and for you to revisit yours and share, takes courage. I truly believe you are touching more hearts than you realize, and that many will be helped by this series. God be with you.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh Olive you write as beautifully as you take pictures. I wonder why your parents decided to send you to your aunt Vera's? They must have known that what was going on wasn't good for you and loved you enough to make sure you were in a warm and caring home. Your aunt sounds like an absolute dear. How horrible for you to have lost her so young. What was your uncle like? I am waiting with bated breath to find out what happens next? And I'm sending you a great big (((HUG)))...Can you feel it? Vanna

    ReplyDelete
  21. O'Olive, I'm lost for words but know that what you have written, brings back vague memories for me. Hugs to you my friend, Gail

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh how tragic to lose such a wonderful person in your life at such a young age. I hope you have found peace and happiness in your life since. Sometimes our childhood difficulties make us stronger adults.
    I am visiting from Richards Romantic Home.
    Peace be with you x jeanetteann

    ReplyDelete
  23. Dear Olive, Your story is touching my heart. I think you'd be surprised how many may have lived similar lifes. So sorry you lost your beloved aunt at your young age, that made me cry. I'll be with you to the end of this story. xoxo, Susie
    p.s. thanks for visiting

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thank you for sharing your story with us. You have a talent with the written word and cannot wait to hear more. Thank God for your aunt and uncle. Patty

    ReplyDelete
  25. I am just catching up on my blog reading, Olive. Writing about what is in the tender places of the heart is tough, but what a treasure it will be for your family. I read The Hiding Place at about the same age as you did and it had a big impact on me. I've always been fascinated by the way some with a tough childhood survive and thrive, while others never manage to move beyond the hurt; I can't wait for your next installment...
    Hugs,
    Jan

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi Olive,
    You are an excellent writer and writing your story for your family is such a gift. Thank you for sharing it with us.
    Jane

    ReplyDelete
  27. Olive,
    I can relate to growing up in a home where there was always so much arguing with my parents. Life was not easy. Thank you for sharing your story ;)
    Hugs,
    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  28. Your talent as a writer is God-given. You are blessed.

    ReplyDelete
  29. How very tragic for you to lose your aunt. How lucky that you know how special you were to her.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Olive, I read this as soon as you published it but I was so overwhelmed by your young story that I thought I should wait to leave a comment. Like everyone my heart goes out to you. To think all that happened to you at such a young age. That is too much for a little girl to cope with. Your writing is so beautiful that I could picture everything in my mind's eye. I was a young adult when my parents were hit by two drunk teenagers and I've often thought that kind of thing is something you never really get over, you just learn to live with it and go forward. I think the same applies to you and what happened to you at such a very early age while you were such a precious little girl. I hope being able to share it with all of us who love you dearly will be of some comfort to you. Much love. XO

    ReplyDelete
  31. I commend you for writing your story, Olive. Life is not pretty. It's hard. I read this recently, "Frequently our biggest problem in life is thinking that having problems is a problem." With our feet planted firmly upon the Rock, we can face life's problems because He gives us strength and grace. You have a lovely writing style and through your thoughtful, humorous, encouraging words, perhaps others will feel a little lighter and less burdened. Thanks for sharing. May God bless you in this journey.
    Lynn at Cottage and Creek

    ReplyDelete
  32. Brave and Courageous of you to write your story.

    For those who haven't read The Hiding Place it is a MUST read.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Dearest Olive-

    You are such a treasure. Thank you for beginning this series because it shows all of us the healing power of sharing the real story of our lives.

    Thank you for sharing it with us.

    Laura
    White Spray Paint

    ReplyDelete
  34. It's only fitting that my comment should come behind Laura's. She once remarked on a post that it was like listening to a beating heart and that was what I was thinking as I read your words. There are so many adjectives I could use to describe you and this post, but the one that keeps ringing in my ears is anoited. God is using you my dear and in doing so, someone...somewhere...will be lifted up by your courageousness. (Insert standing O here.)
    Your Texas Poet
    P.S. Every child deserves an Aunt Vera...even for just a little while. Mine was Aunt Alice.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Dear Olive - I have only just returned from holiday so missed reading this, your first instalments. It is beautifully written, but my heart goes out to that little girl. I know that when you have posted all of your instalments, it will be a healing process for you and I am sure you will feel lighter in your mind for having shared your story. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Thank you so much for your honesty and sharing the remnants of your past. I know this is painful, but I am hopeful that writing this out will help you and no doubt at all, helps others (myself included). The quote is beautiful - LOVE this and will be copying it down to remind myself. I will think of you. Please keep writing - I will gladly stay and hear your story.

    Hugs,

    "Her" and of course Romeo who wants to sit in your lap and purr comfort into you....

    ReplyDelete
  37. Oh that is chilling. A moment you will forever have sketched in your memory. Today is part 2, I will be back. Your writing is excellent Olive.

    ReplyDelete
  38. You do write beautifully Olive! I am so sorry that you had such sorrows at that young age. I look forward to reading more of your story.

    ReplyDelete
  39. You have a wonderful skill for writing! Really, I had to turn off the TV so I could take in the beauty of the story. I'm sure your daughter and future grandchildren will appreciate you telling your story.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Oh Olive I just read the earlier post that bought me here. I started crying at the string in the yard you can imagine how much more now. You are not imperfect you are just the opposite!

    big hugs,
    Carole

    ReplyDelete
  41. Dear Olive,you are brave to share your story.You are a gifted writer,I could feel everything you shared.
    Thank-you for being willing to help others through your story.God Bless!

    ReplyDelete
  42. I remembered this one, and read the rest of the series. Olive you are an amazing writer, and truly have quite the story to be told. You are very brave to share..and I do hope it helps you as well share your story. None of us had a perfect life, that is for sure. Just some worse than others...Thanks again for writing!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Thank you for sharing Olive. Your Aunt Vera must have been a very special person. So glad they welcomed you as a young girl and was able to inspire you.

    ReplyDelete
  44. I am hooked.

    May God bless you and use you as you share.

    ReplyDelete
  45. I am so sorry you lost your beloved auntie so early -- what a gift she left you with -- your faith :)

    Blessings!
    Gail

    P.S. I have a dear friend who lost his mother and his Dad sustained a head injury that left him a mean and violent in 1962 (Dave was 2) - he went to live with his Aunt -- your story reminded me a lot of his.

    ReplyDelete

I adore your comments. They are like finding unexpected chocolates. olive