Foreword

Chapter 1 The Pre Pre-natal Years

Chapter 2 Birth (mine)

Chapter 3 Daddy Was An Airplane Plumber

Chapter 4 Box 7, Corbin, Kansas

Chapter 5 A Song for the Land Where the Sunflowers Bloom ...

Backword

Foreword

This is not my life's story. It is merely some of the stories from my life. In a sense, I suppose, this might be considered one of my autobiographies, or perhaps the first. When I began this project nearly a year ago it was my intent to complete it through 1981 when we moved to Lawrence, Kansas. The chapters were even named:

Chapter 6 I'm a Jay, Jay, Jay, Jay, Jayhawk
Chapter 7 I Do, too
Chapter 8 My Time in Leavenworth
Chapter 9 Ricky Dean
Chapter 10 Jerri Jeane
Chapter 11 Nebraska?
Chapter 12 Cyclones Forever

It is unlikely that it will ever be 'finished' in a completion sense, because remembering stimulates memory. Each story recalled gives re-birth to other stories, related and unrelated. They will be added as long as there is a shred of truth in them, and the whole project has not yet collapsed under its own enormity.

I could say that it is written for my children, Richard Dean and Jerri Jeane, for indeed it is. But, in truth it is written for me, because it is something I wanted to do. Why? Because I like to talk about myself, and no one knows me quite as well as I. The memories are mostly my own. Some of my stories have faded with memory. Since many of them can no longer be refuted or substantiated by persons living, they shall stand as 'history'. Embellishment is thus confessed, for indeed that is a part of me as well. To the best of my knowledge that is my only fault and certainly the only one which will be revealed herein.

This writing is dedicated to my best friend, Judith Roxann, who has been a part of my life since I was 16 and she was 15. She inspired many of my life's experiences and resulting stories. She has also reminded me when her recollections of my stories differ from my own. Nevertheless, these writings shall not be diminished by strict adherence to fact.

Judy has an interesting theory about memory. She declares that "we have only just so many brain cells, so we should be careful how and when we use them". At some point perhaps our brains no longer have capacity for things new, unless they replace things old. I, too, used to have a theory about memory, but alas ...

I once heard an actor/comedian remark on being honored for his accomplishments that, "I will remember this evening as long as I can". I don't recall who said it, but I've borrowed that line many times in recent years. To you, dear reader, I urge that you keep a journal of anecdotes of your life, for your own musings, if no other.

You may choose to move on to:
Chapter 1 The Pre Pre-natal Years
or else go back to the Table of Contents.

Or you may choose to go back to Hawkshof.

© Jerry Niebaum jniebaum@sunflower.com