Growing up, life settled into rituals and routines Get up, wash face, brush teeth Cereal for breakfast except for Saturdays when Daddy made eggs, bacon, biscuits, and gravy
Sunday dinner was roast beef or ham with green beans and potatoes Weekday meals were steak, pork chops, chicken, or meatloaf Friday meant fish sticks or tuna casserole Saturday was leftover day or toasted cheese sandwiches
We had Vanilla Wafers and Jello for treats Along with ice cream and sherbet No potato or corn chips except for parties No soda pop except when not at home
We drank whole milk or reconstituted frozen orange juice Ate Vienna sausages and Saltine crackers Were happy with Cheerios, milk, and sugar Cinnamon toast and occasional pancakes
We headed to watch Romper Room with cups of milk and cookies Watched Adam, Hoss and Little Joe working at the Ponderosa Wondered what adventure Lassie would go on with little Timmy Marveled at the dexerity of the Rifleman
We didn't know then that those routines and rituals Would define a whole generation Connect us through hide and seek, tag, and jump rope Help us to feel united and share common values
We grew up feeling quintessentially American Patriotric but discerning; optimistic despite Vietnam, three assassinations, and Watergate Our common daily rituals and routines uniting us
We are more the same than different Our values center on honesty, respect, and love May those rituals and routines of childhood Unite rather than divide us in today's trying times
I am a native Texan who has lived for the past 30 years in Southern California. I am a published author of both short memoir and fiction, a two-time Pushcart nominee, a nationally award-winning writing coach, an editor, as well as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas. In addition, I am the mother of three grown daughters of whom I am extremely proud, a grandmother of four darling children and the wife of a man I still love after 44 years.
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20 Minutes a Day 