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MEMOIRS OF A MOTHER by Grace Helen Kaywell w |
| From the time Jerry was able to sit up he played records and loved all music. He took music lessons and met Mrs. Pate. What a beautiful relationship. He said he wanted to become a Concert Pianist, but soon she discovered his creative ability and encouraged this. He learned well and blossomed under her guidance. He was always the "star" at recitals, which embarrassed him. He joined the West Palm Beach Library Drama Club where he wrote, directed and acted in productions. Our house was always full of old refrigerator cartons - excellent for painting scenery and props. To keep a neat house was impossible during this phase. All my sewing materials, ribbons, paints, scotch tape and paint brushes would disappear until I nearly went up the wall. But it was worth it! Ta-Dah! Jerry loved to dance! He would come and watch my dance class and that way he learned everything. When he was very young he performed in recitals. Jerry would only work at a job long enough to earn money to buy Christmas presents, or to give to people. When he was very little he sold newspapers on the street. His newspaper bag seemed larger than himself and I would almost cry to see him "waddle" down the street with the heavy load. His work papers at school and projects were a work of art because he could "letter" well-design-paint-and illustrate neatly. In high school he had the dramatic lead of "Arms and the Man" - won trophies for debate and was the acknowledged leader of the Junior Student Body at Twin Lakes High School. He worked selling clothes at Richard's Department Store when he was in high school. He gave me my best set of dishes at this time. The "philosopher" used to ask me how I knew so many things. He thought it was spooky. Actually, Jerry, there is no mystery about being a mother. We all started out as normal, average little kids like yourself who developed x-ray vision, acute hearing and two eyes in the back of our heads! In his senior year at Twin Lakes High School he played in the band, called "Salad". His hours would destroy even a healthy body - arise at 7:00 a.m. to be at school by 8:00 a.m. Homework? When? After school band practice! Rehearsals! Perform until 5:00 a.m. - sleep average? 2-3 hours per night. This was the detour of all things worthwhile while he played in the band. Therefore - ups and downs and in between! But even good things come out of bad . . . w |
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