I love my childhood!
It's the sweetest!
I can map it out into three (or four) sections:
I spent my toddler years living in BYU's hometown : Provo, Utah. My parents were still in school and we lived in a tiny appartment. The only memories I really have of this place are ones my mom had told me about. The one I have proof of is all due to my 19 month older brother who I don't often mention.
My brother was playing and threw a shoe at my head (by accident) which of course caused some damage by splitting my not even two year old forehead open. And no, my loving parents did not think to take their tot to the emergency room. I still have that scar today!
These were followed by spending my young childhood (age 3-7) living in sunny, warm Arizona close to my grandparents and aunt's family. I loved it. My grandparents only lived around the block and I was a flower girl for my aunt's wedding and got to be a part in welcoming my cousin (who is now 12 years old!!!) into the world. My momma would sew me all kinds of beautiful dresses and clothes and even my ballet outfits!
I still remember my first day of kindergarten and the ginger bread man hunt we did. I remember learning how to count and starting first grade. I remember the math tests we would have and te fact that our teacher read a book to us after lunchtime every day. We'd lay our heads on our desks and quietly listen to the stories of one crazy girl (I'm afraid I've forgotten the namea of those books but I'll try to remember). I was a happy tan little girl! Oh those days were the sweetest!
Shortly after my seventh birthday, my family moved to Germany.
I had no idea what to expect. I was thrown into a new country and a German school (and nope, I didn't speak a lick of that language).
There were times when I hated it and longed for my life in the states but now looking back, I had an awesome time growing up there. I fluently spoke German at school and with friends but I spoke English at home and at church (we attended and English speaking ward full of families in the same boat).
I basically lived two lives which occasionally intertwined.
I remember spending hours outdoors, riding bikes, roller skates and playing with the neighboring kids. We'd collect snails and keep them in jars and race them or draw our dream town on the streets with colourful chalk and pretend that we lived there.
And this year now marks the fourth year that I have lived here in the UK for. I don't have as many memories here as I have in Germany or the states but I have learned a lot and made great friends. It's been such a great experience to be in an english speaking surrounding and make friends that can fully understand you!
There are so many sweet memories that I can think of that I'd love to write about but I'm sure they'd have to have an entire blog or book of their own!
The great thing about childhood memories is the fact that you can only ever remember the good ones. You never remember the reason why you were upset or how you felt when you cracked your head open. Sometimes it feels as though a laugh or a smile is what causes memories to be imprinted in your mind.
So do I have one favourite childhood memory? I'm afraid not. I love them all!
What's your favourite childhood memory?
Best wishes of nostalgia,
Reilly Michele
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