MEMOIRS OF MY SISTER LOIS
by
Gladys
When- thinking back over the years about my sister, Lois, many nostalgic incidents come to mind, and if I seem to dwell more on the positive ones, it's because there are fewer negatives. One early episode that I recall was that of my
first day of school when Lois took me under her wing. She was excited about showing off her little sister. -That was a big mistake, and by the end of the day, Lois was thoroughly disillusioned. She and I sat together and I insisted on being next to the aisle, and Lois gave in to my wishes; that is until she found out my reason. Which was: when the students filed by, on their way to class, I would slide out our umbrella and punch each one with the pointed end. Really, though, I wasn't a bad child, only a tease. When we were children, I always wanted to play ball and climb trees, but Lois always wanted to play in the playhouse. And, since Hazel and Rachel shared Lois's desires, I, although disgruntled, had no other choice but to join them. When Lois's friend, Blanche Killingsworth, was there, those two had no time for me. One day I wanted them to pull me in our red wagon, but Rachel, a baby then, was crying ••• Rachel, you did a lot of that then ••• and Lois had to take care of her. That rejection, added to the playhouse deal, seemed more than I could bear, and I retaliated. I found a snake, speared him on a sharp stick, and chased Lois and Blanche all over the' old homestead with it. Lois, I guess you never knew that it was a dead snake. When Clifford came into the family, he won the hearts of us all. Aside from being handsome, he could sing. And could he sing! I loved to ride along with Lois and Clifford in their little model A Ford couple and listen to Cliff vocalizing the popular songs of that era. Among the favor¬ites were "Springtime in the Rockies" "Shine on Harvest Moon"
and "I' 11 be lovin I you always" Although I was only a couple of years younger, I always thought of Lois as "my older sister" who was much wiser. For instance, when I applied in person for entrance to nurses' training, it was she who went with me and saw that I got through it okay. Lois lived and worked in Clinton then, and when she had a chancet she came to the nurses' home to visit me. I was so proud of her, and I'll never forget what our hard-nosed, unyielding Superintendent said of her,one day after Lois had been there. Her words: "Your sister is a mighty pretty young lady!" Needless to say, I was thrilled ••• and so happy that we were sisters. In those depression days, money was scarce ••• but it bought much, much more than it does today. But during all my years in training, when she wrote to me, Lois never failed to enclose a dollar bill. And I don't need to remind you brothers and sisters ••• and Dianne ••• that when. it comes to letter-writing, Lois is no slouch! Many years after we'd graduated, one of my student nurse friends told me that when we were in training, she always envied me for having an older sister like Lois. Before closing, I want to mention a most memorable trip. Lois and Clifford took me with them to the Shepherd of the Hills Country in the beautiful, unspoiled Ozarks where we stayed in a real log cabin. While there, we explored the trails of the famous characters of the unforgetable novel, The Shepherd of the Hills, by Harold Bell Wright. On our way there and back, I remember Cliff singing our favorites: "Shine on Harvest Moon"and "I'll be lovin'
you always." And today, after fifty years, it's plain to see that the Harvest Moon has never stopped shining for this very special couple.