When I’m watching a television show, or a movie, often the story will veer off to insert a flashback. An old memory used to recall some key piece of information, or to elicit a specific mood. The scene unfolds to a detailed vision as the character recalls that old memory. Then there’s me.
When I realized the 52- week #MFRW Blog Challenge for this week was A Childhood Memory well… There are a few that stand out in my mind, but they seemed random and unworthy of sharing—until I discovered the pattern.
Raking Through the Memories
I often compare my memory to a sieve. Filtering everything out but the bits and pieces of important parts. You’d think there’d be a plethora of memories to choose from, but unfortunately, it seems the more years that go by, the more memories mesh together. Holidays and birthdays end up tangled in a hodgepodge memory bank of special occasions.
I envision the other participating authors lighting up with their ah-ha memory moment and hurriedly jotting it on the page with a satisfied smile. Then I realized what might make my certain memories stand out.
The Common Element
The pieces of memories I held strongest in my mind were all the little ways I was looking for the magic in the everyday. Something I still do today and incorporate into my writing. The childhood memories I recalled included:
- Looking for fossils in the woods in the hopes of discovering a dinosaur
- Sitting by the Christmas tree in the middle of the night, mesmerized by the twinkling lights and wondering how Santa’s magic would work since we didn’t have a chimney (Mom left the door unlocked for him.)
- Riding through the playground as fast as I could on my bicycle and then closing my eyes to pretend I could fly
- Walking through the woods while wishing and imagining I could talk to the animals
- My utter fascination with our first microwave- wondering what sorcery could create such a magical machine
Maybe She’s Born with It
This post helped me realize that my pursuit of the extraordinary in everyday life has always been part of me. That the little wonders of the world make up the most important parts of my memories.
There are other snippets that rose to the forefront of my mind, and sweet memories of my family, but most of them contained that same element of fascination. The wonders of seeing and experiencing new things in the world for the first time.
Take a Stroll Down Memory Lane
Don’t forget to follow the #MFRW Blog Hop and discover the childhood memories the other authors are sharing.
Share one of your childhood memories in the comments so we can all revisit the magical days of childhood.
Maureen – this is a great piece!! Why do we–as adults– forget the magic that happened when we were kids? Thanks for the reminder.
I agree. They talk about the lost of childhood innocence. I think we forget the magic. Thanks for reminding us. Maybe next time I’m up north I’ll go hunt for sharks teeth at the local park. Our version of fossil hunting, unless we’re walking freshly plowed farm fields looking for native american projectile points.
Ah, childhood magic. Is there anything better? I think it’s great that thinking about this week’s prompt helped you realize such a cool thing about yourself. Love it!
The beauty and wonder of childhood. It’s amazing to know that part of wonder and fascination with life didn’t leave you and lead you to the path you’re on now.
When people say how high school was the best years of their life, I always disagree. I think the years of childhood (maybe up to age 10-11) were the very best years. So much magic! (and so much less responsibility) Thank you for visiting ladies!
Like Peter Pan, you have reminded of the joy and magic of childhood. I was an inquisitive child, asking questions of everything around me. Sadly, when you have the answers, some of the magic is gone. Thanks for the reminder to allow some of the mystery to remain – maybe we don’t need all of the answers to everything. This came at a time when I am sitting here asking a million questions and maybe I just need to chill.
Lovely post, and I agree, the early years of childhood were much better than high school.
Ah, to see the world through the eyes of a child again… Magical, indeed. Great post.
I absolutely love this line: “all the little ways I was looking for the magic in the everyday.” By being an author, you’re still trying to do this, aren’t you?
I also liked the mention of hoping to find a dinosaur in fossils, because as a (young) adult we lived near a fossil bed. I loved it. I wanted to find an animal fossil, but all I ever came across were fossilized leaves and twigs.
I loved your memories and search for magic dont ever stop!’
I always wondered how Santa got our presents to us, too. I grew up in South Florida with no chimney and no snow, yet he came every year. I remember looking out a window one Christmas Eve and seeing red and green lights in the sky and being excited that Santa was coming (I know now it was an airplane!). It’s sad that we lose that ability to see things in that simple, childlike way when we grow up. I’m glad you haven’t lost your capacity to find the magic in everyday things.