Generations

I got word two days ago that Joanne Ferrell had passed away. She was in her mid 90’s. You see she was a part of a group of women, girls, who lived at my Grandmother’s house because they were single and needed to board somewhere. It was a group of women who stayed in touch all through their lives. Joanne is the last of that Generation. Her husband and my Daddy were friends and the “daughters’. would baby sit for Joanne. We didn’t expect to be paid and there were 3-4 of us there so …

The “daughters” of that first set of women grew up together too. They all lived on the same block just around the corner from my Grandmother. They called themselves, cleverly, The Five Girls. Summer days were spent with good times at the Beach. (Virginia Beach). Reading and reading and reading, lots of Nancy Drew. Sketching with flat tomato boxes as our art portfolio cases. We all made a character and they would interact.

I say We even thought I was not truly one of the 5. I am the cousin of one of the girls and often spent a month or so in Virginia in the summers. I was 2 year younger than they were but for the most part let me join in. I would do whatever they said. I was an only child and thought I had some friends when I was in K. in my neighborhood it was still not the same. But I loved being with them. They once convinced me that it was fun to Jump Off of Frances Ann’s garage roof. They told me they all had done it so I climbed up and jumped. I landed on my back, the air went out of my lungs, I didn’t pass out but hurt and when I stood up I puked. “Bobbie, don’t tell anyone about this Ok?” Oh Ya, of course not.

Sometimes we would all get in the Gibb’s jeep and go down the beach at Sandbridge which is now All houses, and go to the Gibb’s beach house, shack. It was the best time. Once when we were Teenagers Joanne asked if we’d ever been skinny dipping in the ocean, and we said no, so we snuck out, with Joanne, and dropped our suits and got in the water. It seemed so daring at the time. I don’t have to say this was before the movie Jaws, right. We were having fun when Joanne spotted a jeep coming down the beach. She said for us to dunk down close to the water, NOT TALK, and stay put. It was a jeep of Navy guys who were out on the beach having fun. Joanne stood so they looked away from the water so she could talk to them and they had quite a conversation and left. We giggled so hard about that for the longest time. We got out of the water, wrapped ourselves in the bedspreads we brought down to cover while we walked in. As we got to the rise in the dunes a huge bright full moon rose and lit up the beach like dawn. We were thankful it hadn’t been up before.

My cousin Gail, is the last of the five girls. All the others have died, two last year. Even though I wasn’t officially one of them, I morn their loss. I’m 75 and Gail is 2 years older. Add deep sigh…and note a pause in writing…

I don’t know yet when Joanne’s funeral will be held. If there is any way I can go I will. It seems right. This is the end of this era. I don’t know anyone who knew my mother when she was young. They’ve gathered on the other side. Be gentle with your heart and memories. “Remember the good times… They are smaller in number and easier to recall….”

Listen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hank56n3GuQ&list=OLAK5uy_mR0Cd2-9FKrq6MYxbmpF8W2bjyNEbQBwM&index=22

I miss you Joanne. Blessings to her wonderful family in THESE

God Abides, Whew that’s good news.

Bobbie Giltz McGarey