Friday, July 20, 2007
My Childhood Home
Mary at Owlhaven is hosting a fun meme today. Here's what she writes:I’d like you all to consider writing about your childhood home. It doesn’t matter how big or small it was. All the memories don’t have to be picture-perfect. If you moved a lot, it’s fine to pick one favorite house. What I want to hear are details that were important to you as a child: your secret hideout under the stairs, the single-paned picture window you licked and froze your tongue to one winter morning, the backyard tree you climbed, the way your mother washed your hair in the kitchen sink every Saturday night, or any other strong indelible memory you have.
As many of you know, my childhood upbringing was less than ideal, but even so it still had it's bright spots here and there.
We were raised in a very small town (less than 200 people), on purpose. My dad was committed to having his children raised in a small town, like he was, so he commuted an hour each way to work five days a week rather than move us all to the large city that he worked in.
My childhood home was small. We only had four rather small bedrooms and one bathroom to be shared with two adults and five children. Money was tight because my mom stayed home while my dad was the sole income provider. Despite all that, some good times were had in that home.
My four siblings and I shared bedrooms and many nights were spent talking into the wee hours of the morning about everything and nothing. In the summers, before we had air conditioning, we'd sleep in front of large box fans (to this day, I get sleepy at the sound of a fan). And reading under the covers by flashlight was a common occurrence at night.
We had a cedar closet upstairs in one of the rooms and I remember opening the door frequently just to smell the cedar. I also remember pealing back the plastic garment bag, that held my mother's wedding dress, and stroking the velvet skirt.
The steps leading up to our bedroom had specific creaks and we got to know each and every one, and how to circumvent them when we wanted to sneak outside at night. With my parents bedroom being at the bottom of the stairs, that wasn't always easy.
Our front porch was a place to sit and slurp popsicles and grill burgers and hot dogs year round. In the evenings, we sit out and listen to the locust and watch the dancing fireflies.
Our front and back yard was fun for climbing trees, running barefoot in the grass, and playing hide and seek with our neighborhood friends. Running through the sprinkler and playing on Slip 'n Slides was always fun too! We had a fort in a loft area of our garage that entertained us for hours!
And just a mile walk from our house, along a narrow dirt trail that follows a railroad track, was a river that we had fun swimming in. There were mulberry trees along that trail and we'd pick and eat until our fingers were stained bright purple and our stomachs were full and content.
The best thing about being raised in this small town was that everyone knew everyone. All the neighborhood kids played together, no matter what the age difference. And best of all, you felt safe from harm. No one locked their doors. There was a definite sense of community within our town that carries on even today.
So there you have it, memories from my childhood home. I hope you've enjoyed this trip down memory lane. I know I have!
Labels: bloggity goodness, memes, memories
16 Comments:
Precious memories for sure. Thanks so much for sharing.
Lyndy
Wonderful. So glad you stopped by Mary's and were able to share your memories with us.
Hi Im taking part too
you reminded me that my sister and I at one time shared a bedroom and we use to take turns at singing each other to sleep.
I get the same way(sleepy) when anyone plays with my hair I think maybe my mother use to stroke my hair at night???
thanks for sharing
Beautiful memories! I LOVE your pictures on your blog. They look like Ireland, or Wales. ??? We lived in England for 10 years. Beautiful part of the world!
Great memories and very well-put.
I LOVE small towns too. Where I live used to be a small town and then it became the fastest growing county in the state. There are subdivisions going up everywhere along with stores. (SIGH)
lovely memories. h
I wish every community could be so closely knit.
The pictures are beautiful!
beautiful memories! also love the pics on your site.
*Sigh* I just love that we shared bedrooms as children. It brought us so much closer and I know we're all best friends because of it. Thanks for sharing! It sounds wonderful!
I had a less than ideal childhood, too, but like you, I focused on the positive memories today.
I remember those box fans!
I love the protectiveness and community of small towns.
Smiled at the creaky steps and trying to get down them quietly. :-)
I'm so glad I had to share a bedroom with my sisters, too! Giggling and talking... so many memories.
I played too!
Have a great weekend!
k here...
my fingers are too fast!
here is my site... : )
This is great, thanks for sharing!!
You reminded me of my mom's cedar chest...
This was great!!
Mary
Loved your post!
you have a beautiful blog :)
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