Turning Points

Poison ivy – I had poison ivy all down the backs of my legs and it had spread up onto my buttocks. Our old family doctor who still made house calls came by and methodically dabbed my legs and behind with some very strong smelling liquid from a silver cannister-like can. Whatever it was totally numbed the itching.

When I have a mosquito bite, I live on it. If I have more than one, I am uncontrollable. It’s all I can think about and it drives me insane. I can’t tolerate itching in any form whatsoever – for me, pain is easier to bear. My remedy for this my latest bout with the dreaded itching – I had climbed into a tub of hot water, grabbed a hairbrush and proceeded to drag it across the rash until the water was filled with blood. Thus, the house call.

I couldn’t go to school the next day because I looked hideous. Mother had already left for work so she would never know and though I certainly was not in the habit of skipping (don’t think I ever had before), I quickly made the decision that I would not go that day.

I can’t recall the details but there must have been a phone call from a friend about a baseball game that afternoon between our highschool and one in a neighboring town. I decided I could safely hide my leg wounds within the confines of the car and watch the game with her so she picked me up and off we went.

As would happen, the coach’s wife was there and saw me in the car. She was also one of the Advisors for the Senior Cheerleading Squad of which I was a member and knew I had not been in school that day. She turned me in for skipping, stating that if I was well enough to go to a game, I was darn well enough to be in school.

My mother backed her and I was removed from the Squad. I was devastated and felt I had been treated very unfairly. The student body banded together and began to gather signatures on a petition to reinstate me but I knew it was hopeless.

Three weeks later I ran away from home and married my high school sweetheart who had graduated only two days earlier. My first turning point.

gray tabby

October 9, 2002

there was a lot leading up to that turning point.

Wow. Now THAT is a huge turning point. What an interesting story, patalija. I will look forward to hearing about other turning points in your life.

gel

Wow! That’s pretty amazing! Thanks for all the caring notes. You’re a good friend ((Patalija))

Oh boy! Wow! Quite a turning point there.

MJ+

I’ve got a friend who had this hormonal thing — during all three of her pregnancies her entire body was extremely itchy. She sat in tubs of water every minute she could get. The rest of the time it was just sheer torture. I still cannot figure out why she kept getting pregnant.

Sounds like too strict of a school to suit me. I bet you were devistated to be so harshly dealt with. I can hardly wait to read more about your turning points.

There is something very unsettling about this story. The trivial nature of your so-called “offense” coupled with the severity of the punishment. The complete unwillingness of your mother & other adults to hear you out or understand you. A quick verdict upon you with a lifetime of repercussions for you. The disturbing image (to me)of bath water filled with blood & a sense of your pain & injustice.

Whoops…are you certain you should do the garden? Thanks for the song patalija…Can we sign you up for the first OD disco dancing marathon entertainement:) Hugs

You were only a teen-ager. Where was the sensitivity of the adults who were supposed to care for you and guide you? I feel anger towards them just reading this. You describe a true turning point in your life, but it feels like the story goes on in much more depth between the lines. All these many years later, instinctively and for whatever it’s worth, I’m on your side.

Little but Mighty

How something so innocent could lead to something so life-changing for you is so interesting and disturbing as well. Of course, we know there are other factors that probably made up your decision . . .can’t wait to hear what happened from here!

ah gee, I was so allergic to it I used to get poison ivy if someone else who had it walked into the same room where I was! Found how to cause myself to become immune to it though … phew, marriage is a big turning point event! Love reading your diary 🙂 Hugs {ya sing a pretty fine birthday song too, lol }

~X-Factor

This entry gave me an unsettled shiver, wondering what lay ahead of this seemingly rash decision. Luckily I know how it turned out 30+ years later.

Spinster

I can get poison ivy just by walking past some!

You have the most interesting stories. I can’t wait to read more.

October 10, 2002

oh my, that is really a dramatic turning point… i hate itching too, this mosquito season has kept my ice maker running…