  I was born on November 13, 1937 in Joliet, Illinois. My father, Everett, who is deceased, was a Lutheran of German decent. He worked for the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railroad. My mother, Helen, is a Catholic of Polish decent and is still living in Crown Point, Indiana. Most of her life she was "just a housewife" but later worked at a local hospital in Gary, Indiana as a nurse aide.My initial schooling was at St Jude Thaddeus School in Joliet, Illinois, a catholic school. Each class was a group of students of the same age and the nuns moved from class to class to teach her specialty. You soon learned why they carried a ruler and wore beads. At school no one was left out and we all had to learn. The golden rule was one of the first lessons you learned. I can still remember the early mornings going to mass before school. Then stuck in the same room all day long. All of us sure looked forward to recess time and some fresh air. In those days showers weren't the first thing you had in the morning. The education was well worth the effort and I have used what they taught all my life.At the catholic school we had a Christmas pagent each year. When I was the ripe old age of 9 years, Sister Edwards formed a group of eight, four boys and four girls, and taught us to tap dance. She would pin her habit up between her legs so we could see her feet, and could they move. I was sure she was an angel because she danced on a cloud. Marcella, my partner, and I continued to dance together after the pagent and we eventually won the State Talent Show with our tap dancing. Fond memories. I still have the costume I wore.When I was in the seventh grade my father was transferred to work in Gary, Indiana. My schooling then switched to a public school. Boy what a wake up call that was. I had to learn all sorts of new four letter words and what they meant. I didn't know those things were called that!!! So far as school was concerned I found I was going back over a lot of the material that had already been taught by the nuns. That trend continued all through high school. One day a lady, Ms Sheddell, came into our class and announced she was looking for students who wanted to learn to play a musical instrument. Wow, something new. I volunteered and learned to play the trombone.With high school being sort of a refresher of lessons already learned I concentrated a lot of my efforts on mastering the trombone. I played in the concert band, the marching band, and the orchestra. Local and regional contests were a challenge and I entered as many as I could. Eventually I earned a seat in the United States Steel Band and then played one season with the Chicago Civic Symphony Orchestra. For play time I joined the Norm Care Jazz Band and played at most of the proms and local dances. Since my father liked to go to the American Legion I also wound up playing baritone bugle for the Legion Drum and Bugle Corp. I never did get a chance, or took the time, to thank him for his sacrifice to my music. He worked nights most of the time and I practiced during the day while he tried to sleep. Music was my thing. I have my doubts about his level of music appreciation. Especially when I was first learning.When high school was over I sure wan't prepared for the working world. I had received a music scholarship, the Arion Award, to Ball State Teachers College but I soon learned about all the private lessons I would have to take and their cost. Needless to say my father couldn't afford them so I decided to go into the military service and take advantage of their technical school training. My father and I discussed it and the only thing he said was, "Make something of yourself."The goal of the dream I suppose. 
   Copyright © 2000 D.R. Geske |