This is another post of mine from July 14, 2008, I had one comment from my friends. I actually just got started posting so I did not know you at this time.
Childhood, the most magical time of our lives. Where things are surrounded by mystery, ghosts and goblins, make believe and things that go bump in the night and there is always something under the bed or in the closet.
I can remember one time when I was about ten, my mom wanted me to go down to the cellar and bring up some coal for the stove. The entrance to the cellar was outside, there was no light until you went down the steps (about 10) and opened the door, that alone was scary. You had to feel inside the door for a hanging chain to pull, it was torture until your hand came in contact with the chain. The light was not bright and its eerie shadow cast all kinds of dancing figures. I scooped up the coal in the bucket, turned off the light and ran up the steps. After that I made sure we had coal in the bucket by dark.
We always listened to the radio for news of the war and to see if we were going to be bombed. It was World War Two, they just announced that they were sending planes to bomb us, I stayed by the window watching for hours, very afraid. My father worked in a steel mill and in 1942 he was killed by a piece of steel falling from an overhead crane, he did not have a helmet on. We loved our dad and right after his death, my mom received papers that he had been drafted.
From birth we go through phases of growth, from infant, childhood, adolescence and then adulthood. Our greatest fears are created in our childhood memories, even our attitudes, perspectives, expectations and our adult view of life are influenced by what happens in childhood.
When we were kids it did not take much to make us happy, we were too busy thinking up games to play, not much time spent indoors. I don't know about you, but it seems like yesterday, we were running, playing games, following the creek pretending it was a flowing river. Pretending when you were a kid is lost in adults. Adults has lost the ability to enter that magical kingdom again, in a way this seems sad. Even so, memories is powerful, every day of our adult life is touched by memories of childhood experiences.
Most of us have a sibling or two that share in our childhood memories. If you were close to a brother or sister you are blessed to have had some one to remember some of the happy and sad times. Sharing our memories with others is one of the most generous things we can do. Pictures are moments captured in time that live long after we do . It is fun to rummage through pictures of the past and say I don't remember this being taken or did I look like that. So lets say goodbye to being young, many years have passed since those glorious days gone bye.
Childhood, the most magical time of our lives. Where things are surrounded by mystery, ghosts and goblins, make believe and things that go bump in the night and there is always something under the bed or in the closet.
I can remember one time when I was about ten, my mom wanted me to go down to the cellar and bring up some coal for the stove. The entrance to the cellar was outside, there was no light until you went down the steps (about 10) and opened the door, that alone was scary. You had to feel inside the door for a hanging chain to pull, it was torture until your hand came in contact with the chain. The light was not bright and its eerie shadow cast all kinds of dancing figures. I scooped up the coal in the bucket, turned off the light and ran up the steps. After that I made sure we had coal in the bucket by dark.
We always listened to the radio for news of the war and to see if we were going to be bombed. It was World War Two, they just announced that they were sending planes to bomb us, I stayed by the window watching for hours, very afraid. My father worked in a steel mill and in 1942 he was killed by a piece of steel falling from an overhead crane, he did not have a helmet on. We loved our dad and right after his death, my mom received papers that he had been drafted.
From birth we go through phases of growth, from infant, childhood, adolescence and then adulthood. Our greatest fears are created in our childhood memories, even our attitudes, perspectives, expectations and our adult view of life are influenced by what happens in childhood.
When we were kids it did not take much to make us happy, we were too busy thinking up games to play, not much time spent indoors. I don't know about you, but it seems like yesterday, we were running, playing games, following the creek pretending it was a flowing river. Pretending when you were a kid is lost in adults. Adults has lost the ability to enter that magical kingdom again, in a way this seems sad. Even so, memories is powerful, every day of our adult life is touched by memories of childhood experiences.
Most of us have a sibling or two that share in our childhood memories. If you were close to a brother or sister you are blessed to have had some one to remember some of the happy and sad times. Sharing our memories with others is one of the most generous things we can do. Pictures are moments captured in time that live long after we do . It is fun to rummage through pictures of the past and say I don't remember this being taken or did I look like that. So lets say goodbye to being young, many years have passed since those glorious days gone bye.
12 comments:
Margaret this is truly a magical look into your early life, It's amazing what we can remember of our childhood, everyday seemed to be sunny,even on days when it rained we always had a sunny outlook.Thanks for a wonderful post.
Have a grand week.
Yvonne.
Lovely remembrance, Margaret. Yes, childhood usually is a magical time, or should be, but that wasn't the case for me. I was a child of war, dodge-ing bombs, and enemy soldiers, and often hungry. But I was fortunate, for I survived and came to America!
I enjoyed your reminiscing!
Take care.
Renie
So sad that you lost your dad as a young woman, but I am glad that you have such wonderful memories of your childhood.
I, too remember make-believe playing and climbing trees, and bike riding. But yes, it is time to put those behind us and embrace our lives now.
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Why say good bye to being young, youre thoughts as as fresh as ever Margaret and thats what matters the most :)thanks for sharing such a heart felt, wonderful post , its really touching, Im sure you were a great daughter to your parents :)
Have a great week ahead!
Its always nice to look back at our childhood...its wonderful that you shared it with us.Thanks a lot,i really enjoyed reading it.
I have some great childhood memories of playing and pretending, etc. Children today stay inside and play video games. They don't know what it is like to be outside all day every day and enjoy the sunshine and just being a child. Great post Margaret.
Its a great feeling to remember our childhood. So many sweet memories are there and when we start thinking of those golden days we feel very happy at the same time also feel sad as those days will never come back again but memories will be always there and we can cherish it forever. Very nice and touching post.
Margaret,
It's so interesting that you posted this right now because guess what - my April newspaper column is about this very subject - the subject of remembrance and how it varies person to person. Neat! :)
I enjoyed reading this very much, as all of your posts.
I'll be gone now in a few days for Florida, so won't be posting much. Hope you have a wonderful remainder of March.
Blessings,
Linda
Loved your story.
That is true. I grew up with out alot of things but it never bothered me until I was older. I just had fun living life. Now I wish I could go back to those simple days.
It's funny when you are a child how your imagination goes wild sometimes. I remember when I was a kid and I woke up during the night with a sound that I couldn't place. I was scared, to scared to turn around to see where the noise was coming from. I imagined someone was standing there. Well finally I just had to look and it was a window shade flapping in the breeze. Boy, did I breathe a sigh of relief. Oh yes, I remember playing cowboys and indians with my cousins using fingers for the guns. I also remember using my bed as a covered wagon. Well, Margaret thanks for the trip down memory lane. I was so sorry to hear about your Dad though.
Oh yes I do remember all those scary happenings when I was young. I remember one time I was 17, yes 17 and my parents went to Florida and left me home alone. I was so scared at night that someone would get in the house that I heard imaginary sounds and couldn't sleep. I even thought I heard someone open the refrigerator door.
I have many any wonderful memories growing up and just this past winter have began to document what I can remember for my grandchildren when they grow up. Believe it or not you can almost add a few memories to it daily!
B.
Hello Margaret:)
I agree with you that childhood days were magical and wonderful. We lived with fairies and ghosts.
I remember after seeing a dracula movie I always felt that a dracula was following me everytime I went in the dark.
Childhood is full of innocence, simplicity and even little things make us immensely happy. Many things which we ignore or take for granted when we are grown up, gave us great joy and happiness. Watching a blade of grass with a dew drop on it, on seeing the moon, a flower or even a crow made me thrilled. To see a rainbow made me jump with joy.
When we are young we have divinity in us.And this divinity slowly vanishes as we grow up because earth offers us too many temptations.We run after money, material things,fame,name,property etc. and we get into the rat race.We have no time for the simple pleasures of life. The earth has not changed but we have changed over the times.
I enjoyed reading your post.
Have a nice day Margaret:)
Joseph
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