| A Great Childhood Memory!
Posted: 4/11/2006 9:40:33 AM | Most of us have been hanging around these forums for awhile, some fairly new and many a great deal longer-- and we all know of the "gloom and doom" threads that sometimes seem to sink us deeper and deeper. Of the many I've read, except for a few, I don't see too many "feel-good" threads going on.
This is what I'd like to have from those of you who will share-- go back to those days of your childhood and find something there that even though may not mean anything to anyone else, did mean everything to you, at the time.
A memory -- perhaps like Ralphie in the film, Christmas Story, who received the B-B Gun he always wanted for Christmas. Or, like Scout, in the film, To Kill A Mockingbird, finding the trinkets left in a tree for her, or her brother to find. Or, perhaps, seeing your parents embrace and kiss under the mistletoe --in front of the Christmas tree one year, when you had no idea that they even did such a thing. Maybe it was when you first learned to drive. Or that first bf or gf.
Remember this is meant to be a feel-good memory. It can be comical - or one that still gives you that lump in the throat today. But please, nothing that will leave us with a sad feeling.
I'll start.
Going fishing with my Dad for the first time was an exceptional treat. He always took my older brother, because we girls "giggled and talked too much," but this time he wanted me to go along, and I was thrilled.
We got to the lake about 0600 and by the time we launched the small boat, the sun was coming up. And for me, being about eight at the time, I thought we were the only ones in the world out that morning. It was gloriously peaceful and still and I was happy not to talk. (not allowed while fishing.)
And once out on the glassy lake, with the unmistakable "sinnngggg" of the Redwing Blackbirds among the reeds accompanying us; the only other sound was of his paddle, now and then, stroking the water. My dad, a big bear of a man, anchored and taking a live worm out of a can, baited a hook for me-- and thus began my fascination and love for the great outdoors. | |
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| A Great Childhood Memory!
Posted: 4/11/2006 9:48:37 AM | | One day when I was gishing with my Cousin Jason. Me and him decided to go out a on a boat and fish near the center. We got into the boat. started to row out to the center. Well in the center while we was fishing we notice the boat had a leak. But we were having fun so we just ignored it. Well about an hour later me and him were waist deep in water so we swam to shore. We were Drenched. We knew if we went back home as we were we would be in serious trouble so we just fishe till we was dry. By the time we were dry it was late and we got into trouble anyway but we had fun anyway and that is my best memory. | |
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| A Great Childhood Memory!
Posted: 4/11/2006 9:53:14 AM | | Yes, I can just see you two about to sink -- then soaking wet and laughing -- having a great time fishing anyway. | |
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| A Great Childhood Memory!
Posted: 4/11/2006 3:33:38 PM | One Christmas, I was the first one up and ran to see what was under the tree. My older sister was wanting a doll that was almost as tall as me. I was so excited when I saw she got it, I grabbed it and took it to her room. Now, she didn't appreciate it at all because she wanted to see the doll under the tree right where Santa left it. Innocent little me proudly walked back to the livingroom and pointed to the exact spot where it was left by jolly old Saint Nick.
At the time, it wasn't funny at all but we laugh about just about every year now!  | |
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| A Great Childhood Memory!
Posted: 4/11/2006 3:55:22 PM | Yeah, sisters are like that.  I have three -- and two brothers, so Christmas around our house every year was never without it moments -- now we laugh too!
Thanks for sharing. | |
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| A Great Childhood Memory!
Posted: 4/11/2006 4:03:23 PM | | When I was about four years old. We lived on a farm. My dad went out back to feed the pigs, and told me not to follow because I was bare foot, and there was nails back there. I followed because the other kids went back there. I did step on a nail. I started screaming, and my dad, picked me up and put me on the porch swing hanging out in the front yard, and pulled the nail out of my foot. I bled alot, but I knew I was fine because my dad was fixing it. That memory means the world to me. My dad died a few months later by a drunk driver. | |
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| A Great Childhood Memory!
Posted: 4/11/2006 4:43:36 PM | | It was Christmas Eve and my relatives were over. The kids (me included) were watching tv. I remember we were bored and tired of the visiting relatives for Christmas routine. My dad, to annoy us, through a balloon in front of the tv, someone hit it away, someone else hit it and so on. All of a sudden we're hitting this balloon around, people from other parts of the house join in (including parents). Before we know it, we have this 20+ group of people hitting this balloon around the house. | |
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| A Great Childhood Memory!
Posted: 4/11/2006 10:17:25 PM | | When I was about eight or nine years old my dad was trying to move a huge hay bail from the field behind the farm to the barn using a tractor without a front end loader. I don't remember why we had to do it the hard way but my dad took a roof off of an old car and tied it up behind the tractor. We drove the tractor out to the field and rolled the bail onto the car roof and dragged it to the yard. It was the most fun day ever! | |
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| A Great Childhood Memory!
Posted: 4/12/2006 4:01:47 AM | Sammy: What a very dear memory of such a special moment with your dad. I'm sorry that you lost him too soon and in such a way.
SJ: Hey, slapping a balloon around beats sitting around bored and just looking at each other. 
Button: Sounds to me like your dad had a vivid imagination and having fun always secures the memory. | |
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| A Great Childhood Memory!
Posted: 4/12/2006 4:32:18 AM | I've thought of another childhood memory.
When we playing "hide and go seek" -- my dad wouldn't allow us to watch tv -- had to be out and playing and we were glad to do that.
Anyway, while one of my sisters was counting to 100, the rest of us scattered to find a good hiding place somewhere in our yard which had lots of trees and bushes. I headed for an old shed of our dad's and went inside. There was a large chest that he usually kept locked, but it was open with the lid up, and I got inside and pulled the lid down -- not knowing that when I did that -- it snapped shut with no way to open it from the inside.
At first, I was only thinking of how very clever I was in finding this great hiding place; not about not being able to get out, until I began to have a problem breathing and couldn't budge the lid. And just as the awful moment of truth hit me -- my sister unlatched the lid and laughingly tagged me as, IT!
We never spoke about it until some time later when I asked her how she knew I was in that chest, and she said, she "just knew." And when I told her she had saved my life, she was astonished and we didn't talk about it any more.
Now, whenever I'm around her and she wants something done and I'm not too enthusiastic, she's quick to remind me that "after all, she did save my life." She knows she owns me.  | |
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| A Great Childhood Memory!
Posted: 4/13/2006 4:40:18 AM | When I was 7 years old, I became a "Brownie" in Girl Scouts and was having difficulty remembering the "Brownie Promise," verbatim, which was necessary to become an "official" member. It was a very big deal, as there was to be an induction ceremony, etc., where I had to get up on a stage, in front of about 100 people and pledge my allegiance to the Girl Scouts, and there was no room for error! I was scared that I wouldn't be able to be a Girl Scout, if I didn't remember every single word. My Grandpa told me that if I could remember the entire promise, word for word, he'd give me a quarter. (Back then a quarter bought two or three candy bars, so that was quite an incentive.) Lo and behold -- Soon, I memorized and recited the entire promise, word for word! We were both so proud of ourselves. I will never forget the smile on his face and my relief afterwards.
A funny one about my own son, when he was about 2 years old: One day, he was playing in his indoor "clubhouse," which included a toy telephone. I was in the next room, while he was playing in it, and overheard him "talking" to a "friend." Apparently, he was inviting his friend over to play. Very cheerfully and excitedly, he exclaimed, "There's toys here!" I peaked around the corner and saw him literally jumping up and down, as he continued to "chat" with his friend. It's a precious memory -- one that I wish I had captured on video. It will definitely always be one of my most favorite, happiest memories of my entire life.
This topic is a great idea! Focusing on positive memories is so important.  | |
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| A Great Childhood Memory!
Posted: 4/13/2006 7:15:23 AM | I have very little memories of my childhood..and I won't go into that because I do have a few good ones to share. One I remember clearly. I was about 10 years old I think maybe a bit younger and I was really afraid of thunder and lightning storms. So one evening when we were having one my Dad convinced me to stand next to him in front of the window in our 18th floor apartment.
So I did and we just stood there side by side and watched this beautiful storm and talked about it, and after that I was never afraid of storms again, and now I love to watch them
One cute one I'd like to share about my daughter...who would kill me if she knew I was typing this. When she was little about 3-4 yrs old we had lots of nick names for her, one of which was Katie bum-bum. So one day I said to her "Katie where did you get such a cute little bum?" and she replied quite seriously.... "At K-mart!" I lmao on that one and we teased her about it for years.
Share some more people this is great. | |
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| A Great Childhood Memory!
Posted: 4/13/2006 7:24:06 AM | Well I have many great childhood memories. But here's one of my favorites. We lived right across the street from our school. Back then we only went to kindergarten half a day. Every day when I would walk home from school, my dad would be sitting on a bench that was behind the house..waiting for me to get home from school. No matter what the weather was like...there was my dad! I remember what an awesome feeling it was to know that no matter what..my dad was always there for me! And he still is!!!  | |
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| A Great Childhood Memory!
Posted: 4/13/2006 7:57:59 AM | These are such sweet stories and so much more enjoyable to read than some of the other stuff I've seen lately!
When I was a young girl, I had a slight "tomboy" streak in me and remember my Grandma telling me that she hoped I had a kid just like me, one day.
Well, her wish came true. I'd like to share just one more funny one about my son. He was about 6 years old and did something to get in trouble. (I can't remember what he did, but it was a definite "no-no.") Anyway, I gave him that "Mother" look and sternly asked, "Now, just WHO do you think YOU are, doing that?" He confidently replied, "I'm ________________!" stating his entire name, with a smug look on his face, as if he was the President or something. It took everything in me not crack up laughing!  | |
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| A Great Childhood Memory!
Posted: 4/17/2006 7:21:12 AM | Seems like the best childhood memories are those really great moments spent with family members -- that all important family core.
Dads and moms always being there and teaching us by example not to be afraid and many of you, in turn, being a great mom or dad to your own-- allowing your children to have some great memories to share at some future date and time.
I've read some really wonderful memories here and I hope the thread continues.
Thanks to all who have contributed.
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