AUSTIN FAMILY STORIES
Ricky

It was the summer of 1977, between my 5th and 6th grades. Mom, Johnnie and I had just moved from Tulsa to Odessa and I was spending several weeks with Granny and Grandpa in Texon.

Micki and Vicki had a friend across the pasture named Traci (she had a brother too but I don't remember his name). Anyway, Micki, Vicki, Traci, her brother and I were taking turns riding a motorcycle around several blocks. It was my turn and I was determined to beat everyone else's time. The roads were paved had lots of loose rocks. Several times I felt the front wheel start to wobble but I was able to keep it under control. I was almost finished; all I had to do was go through a drainage ditch that went across the road. As I left the ditch both wheels came off the ground (at least it felt that way) but I lost control when the front wheel hit the ground. I remember sliding down the road on the left side of my face/head and the bike landed on me with the engine burning my left arm. Then I heard everyone scream as they started running down the road to me. Micki and Vicki took me back to Granny's house.

I remember walking in the house and Granny was standing in the kitchen. She turned completely white when she saw all the blood and went into a "controlled panic". All the way to the hospital she kept saying "Your mom is going to kill me!!!" and "She's never going to let you come back!!!" After getting the gravel cleaned out of my face/head plus a few stitches and the burn treated, we left the hospital. A couple of weeks later I went to a new school with a large scab on the left side of my face and my burned arm in a sling. The scab was still there a couple of months later when school pictures where made.

I learned that a couple of weeks at Granny's house could include many first: first solo motorcycle ride, first "serious" injury, first stitches and first kiss...

I don't remember the year but I was in my late twenties, so around 1994. We were spending several days at your house but not doing anything particular. One day you and I pulled out a large chest of old pictures. We spent many hours that weekend (and many more since), talking about our family history. As with all families, the stories ranged from happy and exciting to tragic and heartbreaking. The time spent talking to you about the "old days" are some of the most special days in my life.

Our conversations were the spark that lit my "genealogy fire".

Thank you for being my Granny!!!
I Love You,
Ricky