Childhood: Unearthing The Forgotten Memories of the Past

As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of life, we are inevitably faced with an assortment of experiences, some of which may shift our priorities and alter our ways of thinking. It can be challenging to stay centered amidst these fluctuations, but it’s crucial that we don’t allow ourselves to forget the simple yet profound pleasures that brought us immense delight in our childhood.

Let’s take a moment to pause and ponder these cherished moments, be it the smell of our grandmother’s cookies, the tune that forever stirs our hearts, or even the sensation of freshly mowed grass under our feet. In these precious recollections lie the power to transport us back in time, if only for a brief moment, to those bygone days filled with boundless joy.

One memory I recall in great detail is when we would pack up for a long weekend of camping at Yogi Bear Campground.

A campground that has since been transformed multiple times into different and new exciting attractions, but each one failing soon after. It was heartbreaking to ride past and not see that familiar, cartoonist bear welcoming you home.

 But I remember loading up our bikes, coolers, pool noodles, and s’mores ingredients into my dad’s ancient trailer, a tiny little thing that you were extremely lucky to have escaped without a splinter. Honestly, I look back even now and wonder how that thing kept up on the expressway. As I look back and reminisce on the child-like excitement I felt, I couldn’t wait to experience roller-blading on the freshly laid asphalt parking lot, going swimming in a chlorine inundated pool, and watching the embers crackle in the fire at night and slowly rise to the sky.

The time with my family and the time outdoors is a memory that doesn’t always come around very often but always manages to bring me back to a time where life was simpler. A time where I hadn’t experienced the full weight of the harshness of the world.

Some of the conversations we had while taking a walk to the playground at dusk or playing mini golf on our last day were moments in time that made the rest of the world stand still. We had this desire to grow as a family and made a point to make our conversations intentional. We were raised that way. A part of me looks back and wonders what my childhood immaturity made me miss out on in those moments. But I understand that being a kid is important, and I wouldn’t want to change that. I had a great childhood. I am blessed.

And now, the plaque that hung at the entrance of our campsite now hangs proudly on the wall of my parent’s garage. A brief moment of childhood nostalgia every time you walk in the door. Time moves way too fast.

As we move through life, we owe it to ourselves to reflect on these wondrous memories that undoubtedly helped shape us into the individuals we are today. By doing so, we can truly appreciate their significance and impact on our development. One beautiful way to honor these memories is by capturing them in writing, whether through journaling or painting them in colorful brushstrokes. Sharing these recollections with loved ones can also be a gratifying experience, enabling us to relive them in a new way each time they are told. Always remember, no memory, however insignificant it may seem, is entirely invaluable. Every one has played a part in shaping our past, present, and future and deserves to be cherished forever.