#20

20. Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.

1 - I know my parents remember this one:  I don't remember exactly how old I was - somewhere between 7 & 9 I think - but one fateful day I - along with at least one of my brothers - was sent to my room for some childish infraction or other.  When I thought I'd been there long enough I started calling for my mom to see if our time was up.  I didn't get a response and said in an exasperated tone, "Where is that stupid woman?!"  Whichever brother was in the room with me was only too happy to report that phrase to my father who promptly gave me a sleeping bag and my marching orders - explaining in no uncertain terms that disrespect of any kind for his girlfriend would not be tolerated.  I apparently made it to end of the driveway with tears streaming down my face.  I remember being sent packing, but don't remember much beyond that.  What I do know is that my dad loves my mom a whole heck of a lot.  


2 - Not sure if my parents remember this one:  When I was 12/13 I went camping with the scouts.  That happened a lot, but I remember this particular trip because for some reason I was the only one going - my older brother and I were close enough in age that we were often both present for scouting events. And for some reason my other brother and sister were away from home for the weekend.  We were in charge of providing our own food for the camping trip - it was just an over nighter - and I remember thinking that I'd go to the store with my mom and pick up some Lunchables or something.  But my parents kind of surprised me by giving me a small backpack stuffed with all kinds of food/snacks/treats etc. They dropped me off for the camping trip and I just remember feeling so loved - that little bit of special attention for just me meant a great deal to me at the time, and really has ever since then.


3 - I know I've mentioned this one before in a blog post somewhere, but I'll share it again anyway. It was, I believe, my 10th birthday.  I planned a party and - due in no small part, I'm sure, to the fact that I neglected to give anyone an invitation until the day before - no one came.  I remember sitting on the curb in front of my house waiting for friends who would never come.  I can't remember if I cried, though I'm sure I did.  I do remember that it was heartbreaking for me.  I think it may have been a fairly formative moment - both positively and negatively.  If nothing else, I learned the value of preparation and planning.  Later that day we went to see Rock-a-doodle and I felt better about life.  Every time I write this story down it makes me want to watch Rock-a-doodle again.  I think a friend of mine and I are going to do a movie night tomorrow...perhaps I'll suggest it...


Lest you think I had a hard childhood, I have countless pleasant memories of family vacations, sleeping outside on the trampoline, riding bikes, running through sprinklers, date nights with Mom, birthday sleepovers with grandparents involving giant donuts, fireflies, bubbles, ice cream trucks and a thousand other things that people write books about.  These just happen to be 3 non-ordinary, stand-out moments that have had an effect on my life.