Memories From My Childhood

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@jaboUK has accepted a challenge from Lori about seven childhood memories, so I'm going to accept the challenge, too. Most of my childhood memories would have to include my best friend, Minnie. We grew up together, sort of, although we never went to school together. Her father died when we were about 5 years old and her mother struggled to raise 7 children. They were constantly moving from one old house to another. Our mothers were good friends, so they kept in touch with each other. And my Dad helped them out sometimes with groceries and money. I remember visiting Minnie and her family in many different houses. We would always take several bags of groceries when we went. They didn't have a car. Her mother never remarried. I have no idea how she managed to keep a roof over their head but she did. She was a beautiful woman and I loved Minnie's mother. She was always good to me over the years. I would go stay with them sometimes over the holidays from school and in the summertime and sometimes Minnie would come and stay with us. I was "in love" with one of Minnie's brothers, Billy. He died in Korea when Minnie and I were about ten years old. Minnie had three brothers and three sisters. They are all gone now. She was next to the youngest. I remember the day Billy left for Korea. I cried when he kissed us all goodbye and I never saw him again. As I got older, I used to imagine that he was just "missing in action" and that he would one day come home, but that never happened. At ten years old, I didn't even realize what was happening in Korea, but looking back, and reading about the Korean War, that memory of Billy is even stronger. He was just eighteen years old. Curly hair and so handsome. I remember exactly what he looked like. Oooooo! It makes me sad to think about him. But, I do hope to see him again some day. That's Childhood Memory #1 for me.