ONE OF MY OTHER FAMILIES

While growing up, I had several families “adopt” me as one of their own. Being from Smalltown, Kansas, it seemed as though everyone watched out for each other. Where I grew up, you are family to anyone who invited you into their home, but we all have our favorites.

It all started when I moved to the family farm in the early 1970’s. One of my favorite families to adopt me was the Winchells from Axtell. Loretta looked me after many days. In fact, I think she may have even “potty-trained” me.

The Kim and Loretta have five children and, at present, eleven grandchildren!

In order of appearance: Carissa, Holly, Hope, Kami, and Kyle.

It was natural for me to gravitate toward that family; kids my age to play with, fun loving, friendly, and we attended the same church.

Even though Carissa and I were the same age and in the same class, Holly and I were inseparable when we were together. When they would come out to the farm to play, Carissa and my sister would play with dolls and stuff, while Holly and I made a beeline for the barn, the ponds, and area trees to climb. We shared a great love of the outdoors and nature. We spied on our sisters and were told on more than one occasion to “Get out of here!!!” and we would run away laughing only to try again later.

Carissa, Holly, and I became great friends. Hope sometimes tagged along, but was more of a “5th wheel” than an actual play-buddy. Kami and Kyle were just too young for me to play with “way back then.”

In the winter months, when the snow covered the countryside, one of our pastures had a perfectly sloped hill for “tubing” (riding a tractor tire inner tube down the slopes). It was steep enough to give us a thrill, long enough to build up some speed, but still short enough that we would not get too tired hauling the tube back to the top of the hill. Every few weeks the church youth group would come out for a Sunday afternoon of tubing followed by a nice roaring bon fire to roast hotdogs, marshmallows, and make “s’mores.”

I changed schools after First Grade, but was still able to get together and have fun for church events. When I returned to Axtell HS for my Jr./Sr. years, I was reacquainted with many of my earlier childhood friends and made many new ones.

Another of the Family I haven’t mentioned yet is Lance. He was born with a learning disability and a heart the size of the state. There are many people who attend Axtell’s sporting events that know him on sight, he is a great supporter, but don’t really know who he is. They only know him as “Lance,” but not his last name. My first memories of Lance are of him in church ringing the bell to call people to service or as the candle-lighter sitting in the front pew.

When I attended my last class reunion, Wendy and I stopped by the Winchell’s homestead to see if anyone was home and Loretta answered the door, busy as usual. After a bit of a talk, in comes Lance, smiling as he always does and without skipping a beat envelopes me in a bear-hug and says, “Hey, Buddy!” Other than a bit of lost hair, Lance is still the same wonderful person I’ve known all those years ago.

Through Facebook, I caught back up with the Winchells and have talked to Holly a couple times. Both she and I have gone through our own individual trials and tribulations, but due to the support of our Families we are both much better off with them than without.