A Bit of Comfort

Today, we’re going to talk about happy childhood memories.

Much as I might want to keep yelling and cursing about the current political situation, I realize we’re all under a tremendous amount of stress. Plus, we’re dealing with traumatic life situations, individually and as a country. So, I decided to forego the rant (for now) and attempt to put us all in a better frame of mind.

To help us out, after sharing each memory I’ll be asking questions. You can answer them in your own mind. (Or, you can pop into the comments section, if you want.)

The point is to get everyone thinking about the good things in life. And, maybe help us take a deep breath to center ourselves.

I’ll start with this:

--- Catching crawdads – We had a small creek down the hill from our house. Some of my earliest memories are of my dad teaching me how to catch crawdads underneath the bridge. (I have since taught all of my sons how to catch them, too.) It was a catch and release program for us. We never kept them or ate them. The fun was in seeing if you could do it.

For those who don’t know, here’s how you catch a crawdad. First of all, be gentle, you don’t want to hurt them. Second of all, don’t plan on grabbing it where you see it. They squirt backwards when they think they are in danger. So plan for that backwards move. In other words, let them scoot back to your fingers and then catch them by the most solid thick part of their body. Use your thumb and forefinger to gently pinch them up.

If you don’t see any crawdads handy, carefully (so as not to swirl the mud) pick up large flat rocks that are on the creek bed. Chances are good you will find one or two.

((If you try this, watch out for water snakes.))

How did you interact with the whole wide world while growing up? Did you play in a creek or a pool? What outside activity gave you the happiest memories?

--- Watching bats fly – One of my favorite things to do as a kid was to watch the bats come out in the evening. We had a small area near the edge of a field where there was a dusk to dawn light on a pole. There were a couple of small pine trees surrounding a nice flat rock. It made the perfect spot to sit and watch bats swooping around. I loved it! (To this day, it’s still something I enjoy.)

Despite how much I liked the bats, I always felt bad for the bugs they ate. The next day, I would go out in the yard, under the light, and collect up all of the moth wings that were left behind. Then, I’d go behind our house to bury them next to the daffodils. It was a solemn occasion. I’d even say a few words about how beautiful and lovely the moths had been in life.

What’s your favorite bug? What’s your favorite animal? Did you have any odd hobbies?

--- Christmas – I am, and always have been, crazy for Christmas. I love the baking, the lights, buying gifts, wrapping presents, decorating the tree….all of it! I know I’m not the only one. The crowning moment for me….and it’s probably weird….is crawling under the tree!

Yep! Once the tree is up and decorated, I like to crawl under it, get comfy, and look up through the limbs. It’s like you’ve entered a sparkly fairy world. If you do it at night, it can be extremely peaceful. You lie there and soak up all the good holiday feelings. ((It’s an extra added bonus if someone is baking cookies while you do this.))

By the way, since we’re on the topic of Christmas, let’s all take a moment to think back to our favorite presents. What was the one gift that stands out and still makes you smile??

(Mine was a pink and white rocking horse. Mom had gotten my brother a brown and white spotted one, and to be fair, she bought me one, too. I was ten years older than my brother, so technically I was probably too big for a rocking horse. She got it for me anyway, and it was a pure joyous surprise!)

What was your favorite holiday? What do you remember most about it? Did you have any traditions?

---Books – I have never regretted time spent reading a book! Most of my childhood was spent with my nose in a book.

I would even read while eating. Dad used to joke a frog could jump on my plate and I’d unknowingly eat it. (Which isn’t true. I love my dinner, too. Trust me, I notice what I’m eating!)

Far and away, my favorite childhood books were the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. If you didn’t read them as a kid, I’d suggest reading them now. There are a lot of plain sensible lessons to be learned in them and everyone can benefit from those.

What childhood book sticks out in your memory? Why?

--- Soft peppermint sticks – Sometimes, Big Granny would have these in her candy jar. They were the best!

I’d walk down to her house in the afternoon, and nibble on a stick while talking to her about her day. She’d usually have her black and white TV on, watching her favorite soap, but she didn’t mind chatting while it played in the background. All around, it was just a nice quiet time.

I passed my love of soft peppermints onto my oldest son. He likes them so much, mom and I bought big barrels of them for him as presents.

Have you passed down a love for a particular treat? What do you like best about your favorite snack?

--- Easter Baskets – I don’t talk about my dad’s family a whole lot. I’m not sure why that is. Maybe because some of them fought personal demons. I wouldn’t want to drag stuff out into the light if it bothers them. But I will say this, my grandmother, Edith, on my dad’s side used to buy Easter baskets for me, and I’m so thankful for them.

This one is a weird one, though, ‘cause I wasn’t thankful for them at the time. I took them for granted. Mom always made us a personalized basket with our favorite candy and some little gifts, so by the time I got my grandmother’s store bought basket, I was like “meh”.

I would dig through all of the Easter grass, taking a nibble here and there of the different candies. I’d play with the stuffed bunny or whatever toy was included. Everything in them felt different, somehow.

Looking back on it, I’m thankful for those baskets for a couple of reasons. They taught me more than one life lesson.

I learned to try new things from those baskets… things that might not have made it onto my list of favorites, otherwise. Nowadays, I believe in trying new foods at least once. Sometimes, you’re pleasantly surprised at what you find.

As far as the other lesson….the thing is….I was working at the hospital when she died. I was allowed to see her just after she passed away.

As I looked down at her, so pale and so very, very quiet, lying on her hospital bed, all I could think of were those darn Easter baskets. How I’d gotten one every year of my childhood without fail.

She always remembered.

I was just a little too late to thank her for it.

I know you might be thinking that is a sad memory, but it’s not.

It taught me one of the best lessons. Show your appreciation NOW, while you have the chance. Don’t wait. The best part is seeing people light up when you show them genuine thankfulness.

And….know that even small gestures bring value to life.

~ Has anyone ever taught you something and you didn’t realize it until years later? What did you learn?

Hopefully, my memory prompts have helped get everyone in a better frame of mind. We should all try to remember there is still much to be thankful for in this life. Look for the blessings, no matter how small.

In true Fourth of July fashion, we’re going to end this post with a grand finale! From me to you, have some more happy thoughts!! Best wishes to you all!

~~~~~~~`What’s your favorite scent? What memories does it bring back?

~~~ What’s your favorite color? Where do you see it most often?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Remember the prettiest eyes you’ve ever seen? Who had them?

~~ Who has your favorite voice? What would you like to hear them say?

~~~~~~~~~~~~ Do you have a favorite bird? Why?

~~ What’s the best fabric to touch?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Do you like a cold breath of frosty air or the warm touch of summer sun?

~ Do you have a favorite artist? Or a piece of artwork?

~~~~~ Do you have a comfort food? What do you like best about it?

~ If you could be anywhere in the whole wide world right now, where would you be? And, who would be there with you?