Growing Up in Williamsport, Ohio

My Aha Moment
 
When I was in the sixth grade, I had what teachers call the “aha moment”. I wasn’t doing well in school. I wasn’t good in sports (softball in particular) and I didn’t think I was popular. Every young person wants to be popular. I decided that I had to remedy these problems. I worked hard to get better grades. I sat alone in our cold dining room at the table and did my homework. At one time we had a fishbowl setting on the table and I had to cover it up with a table cloth so I could concentrate. I wore one of Daddy’s oversized sweatshirts to keep warm. My grades started to improve. The fact is, I continued this practice through my Freshman year in college because I lived at home until I was a sophomore. It was an exercise that never failed me.
 
I had always liked sports and had some talent for them so that was not hard to improve on. I didn’t have the flexibility to be a cheerleader so that was out. While being a cheerleader is wonderful, I have told all of my granddaughters, “Don’t be a cheerleader if you can do the sport and be cheered”.
 
By the time I was in the eighth grade, I was fairly satisfied with myself other than hungering and thirsting for God. When I became a Christian, I no longer cared if I was popular or not. All I wanted to do was please God. I am still trying to do that today.

©Marilyn Francis Ferguson 2020
Photography/graphics by Michele Ferguson Schuck