This blog is the journal I've never kept.
As such, it has me always thinking. Thinking about the stories I've never told; memories that need saving, and how best to do that. I have been rummaging through old letters and photos, organizing, cataloging, and storing.....a long overdue project that is very satisfying.
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To say that I NEVER kept a journal isn't actually true. I did have one when I was young. It was white, with a thin gold leaf border and a little key. The lock was so tiny, it was more of a suggestion than a deterrent.
I put my secrets in that diary, when I could remember to. One day, I took it on a trip to our relatives' house and I left it there by accident. Of course, they had to open it and read all of my ultra personal 13 year old thoughts in order to find out who it belonged to. When they returned it to me, I was horrified. Now THEY knew that I loved Doug Huber and that I still hadn't started my period! I thought I would die. I felt so awkward the next time I saw them; I never kept a journal after that.
So when I say I never kept a journal, it is because I have successfully, till now, buried it deeper than recall into the recesses of my memory in order to prevent further emotional trauma.
The very fact that I am sharing these things now, indicates my complete recovery. I am happy to report that I am prepared to chronicle my life from beginning, to the best of my memory, to present. So here goes..........
Today, I have been thinking about my very first memory.
I was 3 years old; we lived in a rundown rental in Weaverville, CA. I was sitting under the kitchen window, playing in the dirt. My mother, watching through the window, was hand washing clothes in the sink. When she pulled the plug, all of the suds came running out of a drain pipe onto the dirt where I was playing. The thick white foam looked beautiful, winding pathways through the rich brown dirt. I made chocolate cakes, frosted in white cream and stirred cocoa swirls into vanilla parfaits.
It is a very nice memory.
Weaverville - postcard dated 1961
It would be fun to hear about your first memory...
Would you please share it in the comments?
Thank you!
17 comments:
I don't know if this is my first memory or not, but it is a very early one... of Grandma Gibbs babysitting us while you guys went on your cruise. We were living in the house on Dunbar court, and she brought the costco licorice bin over to share with us. I remember grabbing as many licorice as I could and then jumping up on the whicker bar stools to eat them. Maybe my memory has filled in a few gaps on it's own, like the bar stools having whicker seats, but that's the memory I have now.
And yes, you do look like little Addie!
(that first comment was me, but I made an embarrassing typo :)
What a fun post. My first memory is of LaRee being born. I remember hearing the news that mom had a girl and all the excitement it caused in the house. I later found out that mom really wanted a girl when I was born, I was boy number 3, and she cried when she was told that I was a boy. So it was a BIG DEAL when she had LaRee! Don't feel sorry for me, all my life mom has had me thinking that I am her "favorite son". (I think all of my brothers feel that way)
You and Addie look like sisters!
When I saw the picture on my blogger homepage, I actually thought it was Addie!
One of my first memories is from when my little brother, Chad, was born. The day they brought him home, I ran away. I was running down the sidewalk when my Peapaw came out yelling "Cheryl, Cheryl, stop!" I yelled "get away from me you old man!!" -Which was completely silly because my Peapaw was my favorite person ever. He eventually convinced me to come home by saying he'd make chips and dip. :)
You do look like Addie!
My first memory is from when I was probably 2 or 3 and we were living at that house on Peach in Fresno. I remember being in a diaper hanging around while Mike and the neighbor Chad played Dominoes. I remember thinking how cute little blond hair, blue-eyed Chad was and I just loved watching him play. Guess I started boy-craziness at an early age :)
I have a memory of me and Don looking up at and waving to dad on the roof of our house being built in Blythe...I think I was about 2yrs old...strong resemblance to Addie!...I also see some resemblance to Elsie.
I can't even remember playing dominoes with Chad.
Mike
Oh, I just thought of one. This summer in Fresno dad was telling me what the Gibbs' phone number was and it triggered another memory at the Peach house when I was probably 3 or 4 where mom was telling me what numbers to dial on the phone to call her parents. Amazingly they still have the same number.
Mike
Diane, Your first memory should be of running to your cousin Lynne to greet her when you were a little girl living in Chico! It is one of my first and most fond memories! We use to love to be together and play, play, play. You were my favorite cousin and my best friend. I wanted to be with you as much as possible.
When your dad went to Korea, your mom lived with our family in Chico. This is when you were born. When your dad returned, your parents moved into a tiny humble abode in Chico, while your dad finished his college education. I remember visiting your apartment-type-place, climbing stairs to get into the front door. It needed a paint job as evidenced by a picture of us outside your residence. We were playing and posing in a yellow baby pool. I can still remember your mom teaching us how to pose. On one visit, your mom created ringlets in my hair. Another visit, she put us to bed in the same crib for a nap. When we awoke, the bed was really wet. You got blamed for it, but I actually think it was my doing. Maybe you contributed! My family lived in Orland at this time, about an half hour away. Your family would come over every Saturday for a visit to do laundry and to have dinner. I was so sad when you moved away. My heart was broken because you moved farrr away. Love, cousin Lynne
This is so much fun, I love all of your comments!
Cheryl, yours made me laugh.
La Ree, I have always thought Elsie looked like she could be one of my children.
Dear Lynne, I will always hold the fondest memories of our time spent together growing up. I had some great cousins, but none of them compared to you. I wanted to BE you...you were so gorgeous, and cool, and had long fingernails (that you saved in a cup). More on Wednesday...
and Mike, that phone number is 40 years old!
Diane, when I saw the first photo on this post (you holding your doll) I thought, "Oh! She looks just like Addie!" Then I scrolled down and it's true...what a resemblance! I also love how you and your doll even have the same expression...even your little smile is like hers.
And yes, how many people can say that their parents still live in the same house they've had for 40 years...(-:
one of my earliest memories is when Roy was born. I remember standing in the doorway between the kitchen and dinning room and Daddy told us we have a new baby brother. He asked us what we should name him. I shouted, REX. They all laughed and said that's a Dogs name...I was three.
It's funny that so many first memories involve the birth of a younger sibling. Mine is no different. Though it is a clouded memory, I remember being with my dad right after Jimmy was born. He took me to a HUGE room that was FILLED with newborns all lined up in rows. I remember my dad pointing to one and knowing that he was ours. I was 14 months old. Now I know that the room was just the hospital nursery, but the picture in my mind is of a room 10 times that size. It's kind of neat to have that perspective to help me know what my kids might be seeing.
This is your dad here...I have a memory of watching my dad drive a new 1929 Chevy up the driveway when I was 4 years old.
Thanks for your comments everyone! It is so fun to hear them. Keep 'em comin'.
I even got one out of Tom!
Michele, you are a genius child prodigy...a memory at 14 months is amazing!
Grand prize goes to Lois....such a FUNNY story!
Diane~ I love your blog! I can't even begin to dig into my first memory right now (just trying to get back on track), but I sure enjoyed reading yours♥
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