8.2.14

Reflections: To My Childhood Self

"There are perhaps no days of our childhood we lived so fully as those we spent with a favorite book." Marcel Proust 
 
Were you happy or sad? Two Children at play with their cats


What words of encouragement do you need to hear?
To my childhood self ... I say thank you
Thank you for the love we shared
and the books we read... The games we played
The songs we sang... The Tyger Tyger  poetry

Thank you for the creative streak,
The dirty shoes and faces too
Thank you for the memories
of languid days so free from pain...

Thank you for the happy times
For prayers too and Catholic School
Thank you for my family
For pets and angels,  friends and foe

Thank you for protecting me
From nicks and bites, sprains and falls
Thank you heart for teaching me
That God loves our curiosity...

What did the picture above trigger in you?
I was a quiet child; not a particularly happy one. I was reflective, moody and shy. I had one saving grace;  my love of books and reading. I buried my head in books and read my way through my father's office  library. As time went by, I blossomed, found my voice and ventured out more. I had a lot of love for animals as a child and still do today. The picture above reminded me of the pets that came and left our household; mostly dogs. When I think back to those days, I wonder what the rush was to grow up. Why were we in such a hurry? I love Dirty Face by Shel Silverstein as it speaks to many of my childhood experiences. The words are in the next section but listen to the recording first. And what do you have to say to your childhood self?


 
MORE BELOW!


"If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older." Tom Stoppard

Where did the days go? Playing in the Fountain of youth... forever

Were you uncomfortable or curious as a child? 
I'll come back to this soon... I  was both but a tad more curious. And you?

Did you have a happy or sad time? Why?
Both. My sadness and joy occurred at very specific times in my life, and much of it included moving away form the familiar to new homes and schools. We benefited from my dad's career  successes but it also meant dislocation and fragmentation.  The sad times made me appreciate the creative life, and the happy times made me appreciate the company of friends and family; we need both to survive. For that, I am thankful. And you?


Dirty Face by Shel Silverstein
Where did you get such a dirty face,
My darling dirty-faced child?
I got it from crawling along in the dirt
And biting two buttons off Jeremy’s shirt.
I got it from chewing the roots of a rose
And digging for clams in the yard with my nose.
I got it from peeking into a dark cave
And painting myself like a Navajo brave.
I got it from playing with coal in the bin
And signing my name in cement with my chin.
I got if from rolling around on the rug
And giving the horrible dog a big hug.
I got it from finding a lost silver mine
And eating sweet blackberries right off the vine.
I got it from ice cream and wrestling and tears
And from having more fun than you’ve had in years.
Source: Dirty Face By Shel Silverstein, Famous Children Poem


 What are your thoughts? There are no wrong answers; our views are ours to share and/or protect. They aid conversation, contemplation and hopefully, reflections on our childhood that are healing. Please share your views with me in the comment section. Thanks again! If you are interested in joining the February Challenge, there are a few tips to remember:
1) The NaBloPoMo February 2014 theme is "Perspective"
2) The NaBloPoMo writing prompts are Fantastic
3)  NaBloPoMo has added a photography component to its theme and prompts
4)  I'm doing NaBloPoMo, and I'd LOVE some company.


 Some Food for Thought: What are you contemplating? What perspective do you hold of your childhood? How would you develop the memories of sadness and joy? If you could change one thing about your childhood, what would that be? Happy February! Love and Peace!

I would love to hear from you: Please leave me a comment. Thank You!

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photographs: Fountain FunNepalese children with their cat, Wikipedia

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
 Mirth and Motivation
 Positive Kismet



68 comments:

  1. Shel Silverstein is an amazing children's poet and I totally forgot all about his books until you mentioned him in this post. So thank you. I am heading to Amazon right now to order Where the Sidewalk Ends :)

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  2. I had a very pleasant childhood. I remember always being surrounded by love. Those that loved me and those that loved each other. My parents are still married and have been for 37 years now. My grandparents were married for 58 years when my grandfather died. My other grandparents were married for 61 years. They have all been very influential in my feelings that with love you can survive through even the most difficult times. The only thing I would change about my childhood is that I would not have had that ever so common desire to get older.

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  3. I was a very curious and fearless child. I was always very happy too, I remember.

    The picture with the cats is sweet! It embodies childhood for sure. :)

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  4. I have so many great childhood memories. Growing up in the country, we ran barefoot and played till after dark. Often times, it would get so dark we'd have to play under the pole light. Sometimes I can close my eyes and I can remember those times as if they were just yesterday.

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  5. I had a pretty crappy childhood, but nowhere near as bad as some others may have experienced. I just let it go and don't really think about the bad parts - no reason to dwell in the past because it did not shape who I have become.

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  6. I had an idealistic childhood, surrounded by love and siblings to play with. I had the support of a church community and didn't want for much. I'm very thankful for the way I grew up and know that I was blessed.

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  7. All love the pic with the kids and cats! super cute! thanks for sharing! loved reading this!

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  8. I used to love Shel Silverstein! I haven't read anything of his in a long time!

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  9. Beautiful song.
    I had a different childhood. Not one of the best.
    So I try to make things better for my child, than what I had.

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  10. Shel Silverstein is my favorite children's author. My childhood was comfortable and very sheltered, so I try to give my children a little more space to grow than I did. Great post! -April

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  11. I had an amazing childhood, but I know that I am more rare than people would like to admit. We have 4 adopted kids who didn't have great childhoods before moving in with us. So sad. While I read this post, I was reminded of Shel Silverstein! I loved his books as a child and I bet my kids would love him too!

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  12. My childhood was ok. Not perfect, though not traumatic either. Although it could've been better, I'm completely content with my past.

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  13. I had some good parts of childhood and some bad ones. I just don't want my future kids to go through the same thing.

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  14. I'm not sure I have the words to describe what my childhood was. There were moments of good, moments of bad, and everything in between. My childhood ends up defined in two categories: before my parents divorced and after. I love though that you brought up Shel Silverstein, I have great memories of reading his books as a child and have even bought them for my own children.

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  15. I had so many great childhood memories, some not so good, but nothing drastic. So sad that so many don't have the chance to have a childhood at all. BTW loved your music of Frozen!

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  16. my childhood was a mix of memories. i have some great moments that shine through memories of turmoil and abuse. I can however credit the bad times for my strength today. Also my demons :(

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  17. I had a mix of good and bad as a kid. Which I guess is normal. I had a lot of opportunities because my parents worked hard and had money- but they also made us work hard and handed out nothing. We have a saying in our family that dirty means you had fun :)

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  18. When I was younger I always wanted to grow up too! I'm glad I have my sweet family and hope my girls can enjoy their childhood even more than I did.

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  19. Beautiful song ! I had a happy childhood. I was always a curious person since childhood. I love animals mostly dogs and cats. Love the picture with kids and cats, so cute ! stopping by from SITS Challenge.

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  20. I can't wait to have some fun in the water. I want the summer to come very soon!

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  21. I adore this post and the overall vibe of this blog! I'm a huge Shel Silverstein fan.

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  22. I have many fantastic childhood memories! Thinking on this makes me want to focus more on being sure my own children have the same wonderful memories to carry with them as they grow.

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  23. I have wonderful childhood memories. I'm content with how it was and now I just focus on making my son's childhood the best it can be.

    Stopping by with comment love from the SITS girls.

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  24. I loved reading Shel Silverstein growing up, I remember checking where the sidewalk ends out from the library :) as a child I was shy and such an introvert. I would tell my childhood me to cast away fears and get out to explore. Visiting from SITS girls

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  25. Oh how I love Shel Silverstein... I have the books for my own children now. As for my childhood... it was... a childhood. My parents did what they had to do to make sure we had everything we needed. We were poor. My parents didn't always get along, and refused to acknowledge underlying issues, such as the mental illness that runs rampant in my family. They are still married 43 years later. I am ok. I turned out just fine. They did their best. My fiance' believes my own issues are a direct result of the way I grew up, which is probably true... but I still can't fully admit that to myself. Whew.. there ya go. Sorry for the long response. You really touched something... :) Stopping in from #SITSblogging !

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  26. For me, the quote sums up my childhood perfectly. Visiting from SITS girls.

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  27. I love that quote - if you carry your childhood! I've never heard that one before but it really makes you think!

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  28. I remember playing in street fountains when I was a kid!

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  29. While I know my childhood was less than perfect, I do have some fond memories - playing with siblings, creative things my mother did, surrounded by family and friends. It wasn't until after my parents divorced and I became a teenager that things changed. I hope that my children will be able to look back at their childhood fondly. Stopping by from SITS!

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  30. I was a ridiculously happy child. I remember playing for hours in the back yard, oblivious to the troubles of the world around me. I confess, sometimes I still get caught up in my own little bubble of joy in the same way and I forget to conscious of others. It's something I'm always working on.

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  31. I wish as a child I spent more time reflecting and enjoying being a child. I wish I had slowed down in stead of trying to grow up so fast. :(

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  32. Like you, I was an avid reader as a child. It was a great way to explore the world.

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  33. I would tell myself to slow down.

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  34. I was fortunate to have a two wonderful loving parents throughout my childhood. They are still together 30+ years later. I honestly can't think of anything I would like to change about my childhood. It wasn't perfect but it made me who I am today!

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  35. Love Shel SIlverstein! I also often had my head buried in a book when I was younger. I always say I should read more these days but I don't always find the time. :/

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  36. My childhood was good for the most part. Very sad that many children don't They deserve at least that much from us. The picture made me smile the children with the kitties.

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  37. I didn't even know I liked Shel Silverstein until I had kids... Love your pictures!

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  38. I had a wonderful childhood...made even better by being introduced to books at a young age. Reading has always been my greatest escape, relaxation and adventure!

    best,
    diane
    www.napafarmhouse1885.blogspot.com

    Dropping by from SITS girls today.
    #SITSBlogging

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  39. I had a great childhood, although we were very lucky as it could have been very different had my mum not been such a strong person (my dad died when I was 3). Interesting to think now, and wonder what I would have said to myself at that age if I'd been able to go back.

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  40. I had a lot of great childhood memories, a few bad but mostly good. I thank God for that because I know mother's childhood was very difficult and she went through a lot growing up. Thanks for sharing... #sitsblogging

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  41. Dropping by from the SITS Girls!
    I hadn't thought of Shel Silverstein in years! Memories...

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  42. I was also very uncomfortable as a child. I spent quite a bit of time hiding in books but I am not sure I would change it. We lived on military bases, my parents divorced and we were left with my Dad, and had a home destroyed by Hurricane Andrew but all of those things helped me become the person I am.

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  43. I think everyone has a childhood full of ups and downs. It's how we take what we learned as children and make the best of it! Thanks <3 from #SITS

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  44. I can relate. As I child I was also very shy, quiet, and always in my head. If I wasn't trying to drown out the chaos going on at home with my headphones, I was escaping to other worlds in a book.

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  45. I had a pretty great childhood. Deffiently grateful.

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  46. I had a wonderful childhood. It was innocent, days lasted long, and I always had my sister by my side. There was lots of laughter! The 2 girls with the cats - they look content to me, so I'd say they are happy. Maybe a little bored, but happy! LOL Stopping by from #SITSBlogging

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  47. I was constantly buried in books as a child myself. However it wasn't because I was unhappy or anything. I just loved it. I have always quite liked to be alone and to take part in solitary activities like solving puzzles and reading, etc.

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  48. Really cute pictures. I agree that childhood memories can be really special.

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  49. I had a relatively happy childhood, although I didn't feel like I fit in growing up in a small town and have since lived in larger cities. I was forever wanting to grow up quicker, so I'd tell my younger self to slow down and enjoy childhood! P.S. I'm in your SITS Girls Comment Love Tribe:)

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  50. I think our childhood helps shape us into who we are today, but I love that we can still become who we want to be tomorrow. Take the good and leave the bad. Either way, we learn from all our experiences. Thanks for sharing.

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  51. I feel like you described me at the end of your post! I was shy, moody, contemplative (still am!) and I found escape through love of reading (still do, but less time for it now!).

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  52. I have lots of memories from my childhood. I originally grew up in the caribbean and where I played outdoors, skipped, jumped, did everything that my own kids don't usually do now. It has made me the person I am and I'm eternally grateful for those memories.

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  53. I love the poem! Some of my favorite childhood memories are of playing outside from morning to night, running around barefoot and climbing huge pine trees as high as we could. I hope encourage a love of the outdoors and imagination in mu children. Tech time is limited and free play reigns at our house. :)

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  54. That picture reminds me of my childhood dog.. we would hang out all the time outside and just veg together..

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  55. I live the Shel Silverstein poem. I miss my childhood though I wish I could of not been abused and tossed from one home to another. I miss my friends and school and the old water tower fun days.

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  56. This post made me emotional and I shed some tears..the poem and the photo is incredibly sweet!

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  57. I still hold on the to curiosity of my childhood and my need to explore. Luckily I get to live my childhood all over again with my kids who are now curious explorers.

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  58. My childhood was not perfect and we had our struggles but my mother loved her children dearly and there were many moments we were just happy children..so I take that as an adult and give that to my son. He is such a happy child and I always want him to be like. I cherish those happy moments with my mother especially since she isn't here any more and I want that for my son. Stopping by from SITS!

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  59. Stopping by from SITS Girls Comment Love Tribe. This was a beautiful post and it triggered all sorts of fun memories from my childhood that I'd forgotten. I sort of know intuitively that I had a happy childhood, but I don't think about it often. Thank you for sharing and taking me on a pleasant walk down memory lane.

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  60. I think I was more of a curious child growing up... because I think I still am. Love this post!

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  61. I was a very shy child in a small town. When I was in middle school my parents divorced and we moved to a bigger town, and that is when I got my voice. Almost overnight I went from never speaking up to telling everyone everything that is on my mind. I think that experience made me who I am today and I wouldn't change it!

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  62. When I see pictures of myself as a child I find in half of them I am happy go lucky, while in others I look camera shy. Taking pics of my kids and capturing those camera shy moments I know that she was super happy, just not to be interrupted for a picture. So while a pic may say a million words, it doesnt always say them all.

    #SITSBlogging

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  63. I was a very shy child with a crazy mother. I escaped into books to get away from her. They were the places I could go to be happy away from her. She was so overbearing in every aspect of my life, I married a 32 year old man when I was 19 years old just to get away from her. It's my mission in life to never do to my children what she did to me. I want them to all have happy childhoods.

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  64. I was a voracious reader as a child, it was my escape from a weird and unstable childhood. I had some good memories, but I have great memories of some of the amazing books I read to get me through some tough times. I love this post and the positive thoughts that it encourages. I'm part of the #SITSBlogging Comment Love Tribe!

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  65. My childhood was good. It wasn't perfect but no ones was but I have some good memories. Great post!

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  66. I had lots of cousins to play with and most of my childhood memories are of the times I spent at my grandma's house where all the cousins would meet on weekends and during the school holidays.

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  67. I have so many great childhood memories of my childhood living in a small town,every family knew every family we played outside till dark never any worries of harm

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  68. I am a fan of Tom Stoppard as well. I also liked to read Shell Silverstien when I was feeling down he puts me in a good mood/

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