The author shares a narrative of growing up in the bustling '50s and '60 for the benefit of his grandsons. Highlighting his youthful activities and schooling in a robust Oklahoma oil town, he is unexpectedly thrust into a more sophisticated New York environment and the north shore of Long Island. Walking to and from school from kindergarten through sixth grade, the advent of family television, shooting off fireworks on Fourth of July, bicycle excursions for miles outside of town without any parental supervision are activities unknown to today's youth. We spend three years, not just one in dancing school and experience a student tour of Europe upon high school graduation. All of these independent activities lead to the breaking away moment when the author pursues his own plan for his future and not the plan and path his parents had in mind.