By Linda Lovely
Though it’s been decades since I left home, I remain
grateful I grew up in Keokuk, Iowa. My hometown sits on bluffs above a wide
swath of the Mississippi River. Take one bridge out of town and you’re in
Illinois; the other bridge, and you’re in Missouri. While I can’t overestimate my
single mother’s role in forming my value system, Keokuk, Iowa, did an excellent
job of reinforcing my belief in the value of education, women’s rights, personal
responsibility, and tolerance. So, it’s probably no surprise that all of my
heroines grew up in Keokuk, or another small Iowa town.
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| Growing up beside the Mississippi River |
My tenth mystery set for November release is based in the
South Carolina Lowcountry. In fact, the strong-willed leading ladies in all of
my contemporary novels live in the South, just like me. Yet, in a sense, all these
novels begin in Iowa where my heroines came of age.
My heroines’ professions vary. Two have military
backgrounds—Army and Coast Guard. One’s a retired FBI agent. Another is a forensic
accountant. Yet another is a vegan chef. They range in age from late twenties
to a fifty and above. So, given this diversity, why didn’t I have some of these
women grow up where they now live—be it Beaufort, South Carolina, or Atlanta,
Georgia?
The reason’s probably a combination of laziness and failed
imagination. While my heroines may be braver, more talented and smarter than
me, they share my values. I’m quite certain women who grew up elsewhere share
my beliefs and attitudes. Heck, many of my friends prove that. Yet, as an
author, I find it simpler to let my heroines learn some of their life lessons
in my hometown.
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| My Heroine grew up in Keokuk. |
How did my upbringing influence me (and them)? It starts
with the schools. When I was growing up, Keokuk had fantastic public schools that
promoted both education and social acceptance. While elementary schools were
primarily neighborhood affairs within walking distance of students’ homes, our
relatively small population (under 20,000) meant the town had only one Junior
High and Senior High. As a result, my classmates spanned the economic spectrum
from poor to wealthy and included boys and girls, Christians and Jews, Whites
and Blacks, farm kids and townies.
We studied together and played together. While there were
the inevitable social cliques, neither skin color, religion, or economic status
excluded kids from advanced study tracks, music, band and other extracurricular
activities, Y programs, public swimming pools, or school dances. While I
regularly attended a Methodist church, I visited Catholic and evangelical churches with
friends. While I was well aware of prejudices and slights, we didn’t live in a
homogenous bubble, and we got along.
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| I can't image living far away from water. |
It's natural to look back on the past with nostalgia, to
remember the good and forget the bad. Yes, I’m definitely guilty. Nonetheless,
the good in my hometown of yesteryear will always have a special place in my
heart, even though the Keokuk I remember no longer exists. I’m startled by the
changes every time I return. The vacant stores on Main Street. The crumbling condition
of the house where I grew up. Since my mother’s death, my visits primarily
coincide with high school reunions. So, when I gather with my classmates, the
old Keokuk still lives—and it will be around as long as we are.
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