Best Friends

In 1976 Biccentenial Year, the Pearson Sisters were all growing, and believe me it was in more ways then one. Oh well, we were all beautiful. Helen, our big sister that we looked up to, had her nose into her school books like a good girls, but don't look too close, there was usually a romance novel tucked in that history book. She paved the way for all of us at Lincoln High School, and that was a tough job.
I would have to say that some of our teachers, being upstanding good Mormons in their community were prejudice towards folks that were rumored to be pligs.
Since Mother home schooled us, our education was monitored by Lincoln Co. School District and we took tests twice a year to make sure we were on target.
So winter came on and we had all taken such growth spurts that we found ourselves out of boots and into the boys old snowmobile boots trudging along in the snow doing chores everyday.

Helen, Beth and I milked a cow every morning and night. You know what that does to a girl? Well, it makes them hungry, and you know what happens when you get hungry...well, you eat.
We had 3 milk cows and 150 range cattle to feed each day. The snow got too deep at the house, so we herded them down to the 160 acres that we owned 3 miles down the canyon. That was all well and dandy, but then they still had to be fed every day. We hurried everyday to get out school work done and then tramped down the road 3 miles in boots that were 4 sizes too big. We thought nothing of it, but everyday when we got back, we were starving and guess what we did...Eat...  Peanut butter and honey sandwiches, with a large cup of whole milk. And that's all fine and dandy until you turn that age that your body revolts and starts packing on the pounds.

We didn't know what was going on, we just kept packing those boots 6 miles a day, every day. One day as we were on our way home, with about a mile left I looked across the road to Beth and I realized that she was my best friend. Now anyone who has a little sister knows that they can be such a test. But Beth wasn't just my best friend, she was my only friend. I ran over to her and gave her a hug and said, "Do you know you are my best friend?" She replied in her best comedic voice, "Who's kidding who, I'm your only friend. "

Anyway, that winter was a turning point in our lives in more ways then one. We went from 125 lb girls to 145 lb girls.

Mother taught us so many songs, she had such vision for us. It's amazing how much we want out of our children and basically we can only influence them for so many years and then they grow up and do their own thing and there is nothing you can do about it.

That is the sad and happy part of the story. We all have control of our own lives and can lead them where ever we please...

Love you Ruth.