My last post was about pictures that are stuck in a defunked computer. Memories of my little boy when he was born, memories of us being a new family, new beginnings and exciting times. Luckily, with the help of the internet (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) I have found quite a lot of my most favorite pictures were already saved remotely and for everyone to see. But this is a relatively new way to store, and retrieve your memories.
When I was a child, pictures/photographs were in slide format. I have fond recollections of us all sitting around as a family while my dad put on a slide show for us to watch. I’ve not seen any of those pictures for years. Times move on and even my dad now owns a digital camera and my mum actually asked for “a frame thing to put on the piano, where the pictures change by themselves” (aka – digital picture frame) at Christmas. Things are changing all of the time and I think that’s the reason we are all almost obsessively storing pictures, memories and even feelings.
I try to think back to my first memories as a child and they are fuzzy at best. I seem to remember things rather than specific events. I’m not sure if the events that I do remember are slimmed down versions of what people have told me over time or whether it is a real personal memory brought to the surface from the depths of my 40 year old consciousness.
I don’t like doing lists of things on blogs, it feels often out of place. But today it feels appropriate and rather than share just one event, I have listed just a few of those memories that have stuck with me over the test of time. You may even find yourself relating and remembering them too.
I remember, straws being made of paper and the end sticking together after getting wet so they didn’t work any more.
I remember, going to see Father Christmas in the Co-Op at Harlow and getting a set of paints as a gift.
I remember, being told that there was a boy in the garden who would eat my dinner if I refused it yet again.
I remember, tinned peaches being a bit of a treat and tasting a whole lot better than they do now.
I remember, having chickens, a rabbit and guinea pig.
I remember, absolutely hating having my hair washed.
I remember, digging in the garden looking for dinosaur bones.
I remember, hating the taste of orange and pineapple flavored squash. In fact I still do.
I remember, having the original Wheebles and thinking they were marvelous!
I remember, my first roller skates were ones that fitted over your shoes.
I remember, things in the supermarket being priced with ½ pennies and not being able to wait to get home so that I could stick the Green Shield stamps in mum’s stamp book.
I remember, watching Captain Caveman, Fingermouse and Bagpus and even recall Andy Pandy in black and white.
I remember, that when the little plastic stopper that prevented air escaping from my armbands came off, my dad sticking bits of twig into the hole to try and fix the problem.
I remember all of these things and as I’m writing them down I’m smiling and even giggling slightly. They are good memories and they are my memories.
I’ve also found that because my parents made home movies of me and constantly told me stories about what I did and said as a small child, I sometimes have a hard time knowing what I actually remember. But I am sure that I remember a lot of the things you mentioned in your list! I had those skates that fitted over my shoes too! They were my favorite.
Thank you for linking up with RTT! It’s great to meet you!
Sorry for late reply… I loved those rollerskates too, in fact it spurred me on to do ice skating. Something I used to watch when I was really little with my grandmother – fond memories. I hope that TT can build memories like that too – although it’s kind if sad he’ll never buy an actual record ;).