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Show Strong enough to lift a dishtowel grassroots Copyright 1986 Becky Grass Johnson I could tell that Bradley Reynolds really liked me. He used to whomp me on the back of the head with his jar of Elmer's paste and tape little strands of my hair to the back of the chair. He would take the peas and carrots off his plate and form a big heart around our initials on the top of the lunchroom table. I was sweet on him too. I would trip Bradley in the school bus aisle and throw chalkboard erasers at him when the teacher left the room. It was the hottest romance in the first grade. I just assumed that it would always be Bradley and me. But then without warning, he jilted me for an older woman in the third grade who had red hair and was a hot shot at marbles. ' I was years before I could eat peas and carrots without thinking of Bradley and that red-haired girl. To cover my hurt, I joined the rest of the girls in playing "King's X"(and selling "flea-bag" ' insurance for protection from boys. I wondered if I would ever know the meaning of. true love. j- As the years passed,, the word love brought to mind visions of valentines, red roses and a five- whip up something more exciting than meatloaf and stay within budget. After the third night of tuna casserole, instead of throwing up on the spot, hubby would say, "You need a night out. Let's go get a hamburger." I knew then what love was all about. It wasn't long after that when I quit making anything with tuna in it all together! In fact many nights, hubby cooked supper so I could lay in bed and feel sick. We were going to have a baby. And every time I moaned in despair that my tent dresses were big enough for a family of five to camp in, hubby would say, "Oh, you look radiant!" But when our baby arrived with a shrill, little cry, he was the one who was radiant. At last I knew the meaning of love. Four other children have blessed our home in the past decade and we've had the challenges of working through a little chunk of life together. , There are times when the dishwasher dish-washer floods the kitchen floor, the baby eats crayons and the Avon Lady shows up unexpectedly. There are days when the vacuum belt breaks, and supper burns because everyone runs outside to rescy-cat rescy-cat from a couple of stray dogs It would be easy for hubby tr why the kids have built circus; in the livingroom out of the; clothes. Instead he says, "Vt had a rough day. Let me helj sort these clothes." Once af rediscover the meaning of low It isn't unusual for hubby to: home a few flowers on Valet: Day. I make a big fuss, and: certain that it is the bouque' has won my h eart. I admit I flowers are nice, but it is the when he could have said "lit:: so," or pointed out that 1 a the lawn mower as easily ask . . but he didn't. So happy Valentine's Day: sweetheart. He's faster It speeding garbage truck, enough to lift a dishtowel at: enough to change a diaper ! who has never whompedme; back of the head with a jarrf; or left me for some red-te marble champion, - ,;; ... , There are days when a pate gum goes through the wasfc the spaghetti boils over, and ! picture Tom Selleck on mj step. But I can't even imagii: taking out the garbage! by BECKI GRASS JOHNSON pound box of chocolates. Most young girls think like that, and I suppose there's nothing wrong with the fantasy that Tom Selleck sh ows up on your doorstep with flowers and sweets. Tom Selleck never did show up, but when I met my prince charming, char-ming, I found myself swept away with early morning walks-and midnight mid-night picnics. The day .he- slipped the wedding ring on my finger and promises were exchanged, I felt I finally knew what love was. After that my days were filled with cooking, washing, cleaning and budgeting. It was a challenge to |