My parents grew up in the same ward in Rexburg, Idaho. I don't think they really knew each other because my dad is about seven years older than my mom. However, my mom spent time in my Erikson grandparents' home during church activities. They did not have similar homes to grow up in. In many ways, they were quite opposite.
My dad grew up on a farm. His grandparents were near and he spent a lot of time with them, his cousins, aunts, uncles, and extended family. He had chores and they had to work hard. I think they grew potatoes most of his life. They had cows that had to be attended to and Dad hated them. He found them very stubborn. Grandpa also had horses, but Dad didn't have any interest in them either. I think they were allowed to gravitate to the things they enjoyed. My dad played football and basketball in junior high and high school. Dad was quite shy and it seems like he had a small group of close friends. My grandparents were very supportive and attended those games (except the game in Salmon where he broke his leg and had to spend the night in the hospital all alone). He was close to his siblings and still is. Church was a focus in his family. He has many memories of playing church ball. It was a happy and loving home to be in.
My mom grew up in Idaho Falls when she was very young and moved to Rexburg a little later. My grandpa was not always kind and their was much emotional and physical abuse in the home. Mom was the oldest and I think she felt the pressure of being perfect and good. The family worked very hard as they were quite poor. They moved sprinklers at the golf course, raised mink and rabbits, and did lots of other small jobs on the side to help make ends meet. Grandma was very resourceful and talented in crafts. She taught my mom many of those things. Most of mom's clothes were homemade and their food was what they could grow and raise. As shy as my dad was, my mom was even shyer and had an extremely small group of close girl friends. She didn't participate in extra-curricular activities - probably because of her shyness and their wasn't time or money for any of that. In some ways, I think Dad rescued Mom when they met.
Together, my parents combined all the good from their childhood homes and created a wonderful home for me. I am so grateful for them and all I was taught in that beautiful home.
Comments
Post a Comment