Angels Working Overtime

Growing up in the 1950s, we watched a lot of TV. Many of these shows were set in the old West : Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Rifle Man, etc. It was only natural that a lot of kids at this time acted out Western themes in their play. Many photographs from this period show kids dressed up as cowboys, indians, good guys, and bad guys. My brothers and I were no exception. We had our cap pistols and Western style boots, hats, and clothes. One day, it was my turn to be the bad guy. Tom and Scott captured me, put me on trial, and ordered me to be hanged. Playing along, I allowed myself to be tied up and placed on the mock scaffold (an old paint can) with a rope around my neck. It was only when they pushed me off the can that I realized that this might not be such a good idea. The rope tightened and I could not breathe too well. I was barely balanced on my tiptoes. With my hands tied, I could not help myself. I began yelling "Untie my hands!". But they, not seeing the danger, rather enjoyed seeing me as their prisoner. When I grew angry, they became afraid. So they left me. I struggled alone for a couple minutes. When my oxygen levels began to drop, I began to see black dots before my vision. Miraculously, at that instant, my hands broke free and I was able to pull myself up enough to get the rope off my neck. Minutes later, I went home and my mother asked me "Where are your brothers?". I had captured them and had decided to get even with them. "I put them in jail because they tried to kill me" I told her. "What jail?". "The incinerator" I replied. Mom's face went white and she bolted for the door to rescue them. I meant no harm and did not realize the danger they were in until later.

It's a wonder we survived because we did many reckless and foolish things back then : swimming in the Connecticut River, climbing TV or radio towers, walking on the train tracks, playing in the canals (where water and chemicals from the factories would be released into the river), and generally exploring many unfamiliar places. One neighbor boy did drown in the river and another kid was electrocuted (not fatally) by touching a power line. Our apartment building caught fire one night and we were evacuated in our pajamas - very exciting to be awakened by big men with axes in their hands. Our guardian angels were very busy!

Gary