Wednesday, July 13, 2011

The city bus would pick Mom and I up at the corner of Division and Clay and take us to downtown Springfield, about a 30 minute trip with all of the stops they made. It was green and cream two-tone, I can remember having my nickle ready to drop in the change tube at the top of the stairs as we climbed aboard.

Funny, how memories stick in your brain. I can almost hear the ding when you'd pull the cord to tell the driver you wanted off. I remember being small beside Mom, my feet dangling off the bench seat. We'd shop at Newberry's, then Woolworth's and have lunch at the counter. My feet dangled from those red stools too.

It felt like a long time until I grew up. My parents made all the decisions until I left home. That's just the way it was if you grew up in the 1950's-1960's. You didn't think of rebelling, you just accepted the fact that they were driving the bus and you were the passenger.

I've been driving the bus for a long time now. Sometimes I know where I'm going and sometimes I don't. I've been lost more times than I can count and I've had some close calls, but my feet now touch the floor and I don't have any excuses not to act my age! 

Today I'm 59 and  I've learned that no matter how old I get that there are new things to learn. I've realized that the most important things in my life can't be bought and I have everything I need for happiness right in my heart. 

I just hope I can act my age but always feel like my feet are dangling! 

17 comments:

  1. What a nice analogy. Sad to say, but at this age we are the generation 'in charge'. Our families need our guidance both in example and in words. Keep driving sister, you will find your way, even though your feet are dangling, you are grounded. Enjoy your day.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Happy Birthday Joyce...you are doing great Girlfriend!...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Some days I feel like I need a relief driver.

    Wishing you the happiest of birthdays!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Happy Birthday!!!! My feet still don't reach the ground...seriously they don't.
    I love your analogy and Oklahoma Granny's comment.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Happy Birthday Joycee, I am not far behind you. Sometimes my feet are touching the ground, sometimes they are DRAGGING on the ground, ( like today) and other times... I just like to walk in the clouds.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Happy B-Day...Love the picture and the post.....

    ReplyDelete
  7. Growing up, but not growing old- there is a difference.
    Happy Birthday to you!
    hope you have a great day.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm glad the others said it was your birthday because I had to go back and see where you said it..I thought when you said today I am 59, you meant that 'I am 59 now'...duh, sometimes it takes me awhile. Anyway, Happy, Happy Birthday to you!!!!

    I am 58 so I have the same memories as you about riding the bus, but my bus went to downtown Portland, Oregon and it was Meier & Frank, a beautiful department store and we were there for 'Friday Surprise' and then up the elevator, with an operator of course, to the cafeteria and my steaming bowl of clam chowder...Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Fantastic post! Happy Birthday to You! My son (23 yrs) shares your day! I absolutely remember riding the bus to downtown Spokane and stopping by Newberry's. Yes those are great memories. Enjoy your special day! Cheers! ~Merri

    ReplyDelete
  10. Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Happy Birthday, Joyce! Reminds me of Terre Haute, IN where my great-grandparents used to live.
    Don't worry, you are not alone...I am 5'2" and my feet rarely touch the ground!
    xo, Cheryl

    ReplyDelete
  12. Funny, while reading your post, I could smell inside of the bus. Remember the funny smell they had? It strange, how a memory is jogged by something. Enjoyed reading it.
    Happy Birthday Lady.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I remember lunch at Woolworths too and the red bar stools! HAPPY BIRTHDAY...I sure hope your day is fun! ;D

    ReplyDelete
  14. Joycee
    I couldn't let the day go by without wishing you a "Happy Birthday"!
    Thank you for sharing your trip down memory lane. You must have had a wonderful childhood and good parents. Your philosophy on life seems to reflect that.
    I agree, dangling feet are good. Sometimes over the edge of a dock, off the side of a horse, or from the seat of a swing. These joys we should keep experiencing as long as we can.
    Embrace the Day!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm trying to catch up on my blog reading this morning, and am starting here--What a great place! I really enjoyed this post, because it brought back some of my own memories--THANK YOU for that, and I hope you have a wonderful, wonderful birthday!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Belated Happy Birthday! And what a lovely post!

    I know what you mean about some memories.... I can close my eyes and smell the bookmobile!

    Hope you had a fun celebration!

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...