 |
Ms. M Interviewed By: |
|
. |
|
|
A Good Life "I have lived a good life. The Depression didn't affect our family. We were the third family in our town to get a car. I would say we were
middle class." These are the words of Mrs. M, who recounted with joy her past wonderful ninety years of life, and even at ninety she lives a good life. When Mrs. M came to Carondelet adorned in gold jewelry and a taupe blazer, to be interviewed, she did not know exactly what our project was all about. But she did know that it was Wednesday, her day to play bridge, which she had given up to come speak to us. She informed us that it was not as big a sacrifice as it could have been because her bridge partner was in Chico. Born in Missouri Mrs. M grew up as the daughter of a citrus farmer and English mother, who stayed at home with her children. Coming from a family of six children, she recalls that she loved to ride horses and get into trouble with her siblings. She told us of the time when her father had just gotten a new horse and told the children not to ride it and as soon as he left they took the horse out for a ride never confessing their story until many years later. In 1928 her mother's health dictated that the family move to California, where her grandparents had already been living for many years. Her mother was a privileged woman she told us. Mrs. M was not made to work and engaged in tea with her mother everyday. It was in California that Mrs. M attended college. She went to a junior college and then transferred to Fresno State and later became a secretary. She informed us that getting into college was not hard for her. Unlike college today, there were no lengthy applications to fill out, no SATs, and no essays to craft to get accepted. One was simply accepted on their Prep Courses in high school. Mrs. M has been married to her husband for 65 years. Together they have raised
two children who now have children of their own. She was fortunate enough to stop working after a couple of years and stay home with her children. " I was married at the age of 23 and not many girls got married at an early age." Mrs. M and her husband now reside at Rossmore, a retirement community, where they have lived for seven years. She enjoys traveling, golfing, and cooking with her children. At first glance one would not realize that Mrs. M was ninety years old. She looked and acted like she was much younger. It was interesting that having lived through ninety years of history she had little to say about it. In fact, whenever we tried to ask her questions about history or anything relating to it, she digressed from the topic very quickly. We asked questions about health concerns, equality between men and women, the education of women, the job market, and how ethnicity of women affected her life. But these were simply topics that she did not want to discuss. Especially the topic of ethnicity where she bluntly stated, " I wish not to talk about that subject." Mrs. M seems to have blocked out segments of history in her lifetime. After reviewing the interview Mrs. M explained that she has a tendency to block out sad happenings for which she has no control. She believes it is best to get on with her life. She knows of the suffering and she has empathy but she also realizes that there are many things in life we cannot control. |
|