Introduction

“If there’s a book you really want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet,
then you must write it.”

Toni Morrison

For years, I have searched for a book which told the story of us baby

boomers. I never discovered such a book about which we could collectively say,

“This is our story.” Although I grew up on the West Side hill of Charleston, West

Virginia, I’m sure my recollections about my childhood and youth will resonate

with many baby boomers. After reading several chapters from this book, numerous

friends and acquaintances, who grew up in other parts of the country, have

remarked, “I can’t believe we had such identical childhoods.”

Our story truly does transcend geographic boundaries. Although all of us

boomers have unique personalities, there still remains a close bond between us.

There are so many of us, close in age, who experienced parallel lives. During our

youth, I don’t think we realized how good we had it. Many young people have told
me, “I wish I grew up when you did.” They acknowledge that, as children, we

lived in a less hectic time, with home lives very different from what they are

experiencing.

While conversing with other baby boomers, there has been one constant,

which people ask: “Do you remember skating with those little metal skates, which

always came off while we were skating?” All of us boomers remember our heavy

metal roller skates, and the skate keys we used to tighten them. Many people boast

about still having their skates and skate keys. Those seem to be fitting symbols of

our youth.

I want this book to put a smile on your face and to tug at your heartstrings as

you read of memories long forgotten. Let me take you down memory lane to a

more simple era. Together, let’s reminisce about a cherished childhood, and recall

an awkward adolescence. Go back to the sixties and seventies with me, when most

of us were in college, then began our careers. Let’s revisit the joys and perils of

parenthood and reflect on aging and coping with elderly parents. Finally, we will

ponder our uncertain future.

 ACKNOWLEGEMENTS

This book has been a real labor of love for me. The past year seemed like

one long writing marathon and I have loved practically every minute of it. Many

times it felt more like working on a research project, as I was digging up all of the

"delicious details" from the past. Numerous acquaintances, friends, and family

members have so graciously offered their assistance and support. There are

hundreds of individuals who have assisted me in so many ways, and I thank all of

you for helping to make If You Remember Metal Skates a reality.

I would like to thank the Washington Times for asking me to write a story for

them in 2009. The complementary comments from their copy editors about my

writing certainly helped to give me the confidence I needed to tackle this book

project. Working on the article for them helped to rekindle my love and passion for

writing.

When the staff at Scribd.com featured two of my chapters, several months

ago, I began getting favorable feedback about my work from their readers all over

the country. For a debut author, that has been a real boost. So, thanks to all of the

Scribd staff for featuring my work but especially for creating such a wonderful

website, where authors can share their documents with one another and with their
followers.

I would especially like to thank Peter for his financial support, Becky for the

use of her skates and skate key, and my family and two cats, Sophie and

Mackenzie, for being "on hold" much of the year. Thanks to Billy Joe Peyton and

Henry Battle for their input on the Charleston chapter. Most of my friends on

Facebook have served as my consultative team when I needed them...thanks guys.

I appreciate so much the many people who have been instrumental in providing

photographs for the book and in allowing me to write about them and their family

members.

Nancy Williams

January, 28, 2011