"V" - SHE WAS AFRAID OF THE DARK

Many stories about victims, plus her vivid imagination contributed to a real fear of the dark.   This fear lasted until she had children of her own and was forced to act responsibly as an adult. 

"U" - SHE WAS HAPPY TO LIVE IN THE USA

When school began each morning, we pledged allegiance to the American flag, and were proud to do so.  After the end of WWII, citizens felt protected and were especially patriotic.  Our flag had forty-eight stars until 1959, when Alaska and Hawaii entered the Union.   

"T" - SHE WANTED TO TRAVEL

During the Fifties, my family seldom traveled other than driving an non air-conditioned car to nearby cities and states. We left early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the mid-day heat.  Prior to one trip, Mother placed a huge block of ice in a pan and placed it underneath the car's interior fan in hopes the air would be cooler as the ice melted.  I remember hoping someday my environment would expand - maybe I would even "fly" to other parts of the country.