We Were Only 13

For this week's McLinky Monday The Real Housewives of Oklahoma had "Back to School Time".
   For my post on our homeschool go here.

This time is year is a little sad for me.  As you know I was born in Oklahoma and I am an Okie through and through, however, as a child I spent 11 years of my life in another state.  We lived in a fairly large city on the north side which was not the best side of the city.  This was the area for the dysfunctional families, the poor, or the single parent homes.  This was the 70's so we still had to keep of appearances.  We went to church all the time, but lived in hell at home.

Also, because it was the 1970's women were being liberated. Moms were having to go back to work because some dads just stopped working. It was a difficult time for my family.

This was my school.  It wasn't this nice when I was in school.

When I went to jr. high for the first time I was all alone, my older sister was in high school and my younger sister was still in our beloved elementary school.  I had to ride the bus for the first time, which as you know you are subject to bullies.  I survived my 7th grade year by just trying to fit in and not make anyone mad.  My 8th grade year was going to be better, however 32 years ago this month a girl in my class had been found murdered.  Her name was Malinda.  She had dark skin with long black hair.  She and I played 7th grade basketball together.  She was a gifted athelete.

The local news kept showing the same photo of her.  It was just her carmel colored ankle wearing her new white Keds laying in the grass.  I can still see the image.  This is how I remember her, laying in the grass all alone.

We went back to school the following week for an orientation and it was hard for me because everyone acted like nothing had happened.  I mentioned it to a few teachers but no one would talk about it.  Malinda's best friend was just having fun.  I couldn't wrap my head around this behavior. 

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not

unto thine own understanding. Prov. 3:5 (KJV)

That year we raised money for a plague for Malinda.  I remember we were allowed to hang it in the school lobby and if others including teachers or staff died then their names would be added to it.  I wonder if the school still has it.

Malinda's murder was never solved.  I heard that a few years later a friend of her family committed suicide, another boy in our area.  It was rumored that he committed the crime, but as far as I know it was never confirmed.

Malinda's mom was a single mother and she had to worked all the time, like my mom.  Less than a year later my mom would be single and thankfully we would find our way back to Oklahoma.
I never really knew until I was older how much danger we were in as kids.  We always say that if you can survive the 70's you can survive anything.  I never heard in any woman's lib speech that while a woman is out trying to have it all someone will be stalking your children.  Thankfully, my mom prayed alot and God protected us.
If Malinda were alive today she would be 45 years old and probably a grandma.  I will never forget her.
Love,
Territory Mom