Travel Experience My Life

by Lois Davis
(Paris, Mo)

In 1943 on a long four day train trip when I was between nine and ten, my Mother and I traveled from Oklahoma to Arizona to join my father.

The train was loaded with men from different branches of the service. They were on their way to camps and over sea in World War II.

To began this trip I had to sit on a suitcase until some of these men took pity on us and offered Mother and me a seat together.

But being a little county girl never having been on a train let alone seen service men doing what young men and women do. My curiosity and boredom soon took over better judgement. And I did the same thing Norman picture replicated and yes my Mother reprimanded me to the delight of the soldiers and I soon became that little sister or daughter they were leaving behind.

And I too was leaving part of my family and lonesome just as they were.

They read me my first comic book, shared their box lunches and treats they were given on stops along the way. Carried me around on their shoulder because I was small for my age.

And I ate it all up.

I, having been a fan of Mr.Rockwell's paintings for years, remember the first time I saw that painting I said that could have been me. There are pictures of me at that age and it's uncanny the likeness to his painting. Here I'm nearing 80 so I get to express my feelings, appreciation or a dream after all these years because I too learned to love painting mine a hobby. My family all know my admiration and have given me, calenders and a number of Mr. Rockwell books also some prints given as gifts and I call my family room the Rockwell room have a set of lamps prints on the walls.

I'm a widow now and live in a small town in Missouri called Paris and have seen the paintings and sketches Norman did for town of Hannibal,Mo.

I WILL REMEMBER. Lois.

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Lois, thank you for sharing!