PERSONAL CHILDHOOD WEB
The first and most important person on my web is my Father. He was 48 when I was born but still full of energy and vigor. I was his side kick. We spent much time in outdoor activities. When engaged in seeming huge tasks, at least to a little girl, he would break it into doable pieces by saying that each part I did was one less he had to do. He took me to his office, on errands, on road trips always engaging me in relevant as well as silly conversation. Mu father passed on a fascination for new ideas, words, and rhythmic music. He died when I was 14 and I remember thinking my only friend was gone. However, he put in me a step by step approach to life, a love of the outdoors and work, and a knowing that I was the most important person in his life and that he would be there for me no matter what. At 57, I still carry that confidence.
The second person would be his sister, my Aunt Mary. Because I came along when Canada was well recovered from WW2 and the middle class was a comfortable place to be, there was more time for reading to and with, coloring, sharing ideas with children. Aunt Mary did that for me and led me to books that would let me escape from the tensions in my home.
Barbara is my sister, 11 years my senior. She says she thought I was her baby. She is physically beautiful, able to create awesome works from food, to clothing, to handwork and is an excellent Operating Room Nurse. I was so proud to be her little sister and was often paraded around in matching outfits she made me. Still today she looks out for me like a big sister. A few years back, I was having conflict with a colleague in the work place. I had not planned to go home for Christmas but so strongly needed to be with someone who loved me no matter what.
The next is not a person but our neighborhood. It was full of gardens, orchards, open fields, familiar paths, and backyards that I was always welcomed on as the ‘little Holliday girl’. This was space for exploring, building friendship, escaping from my mother. This freedom, space and familiarity feel like a friend of my childhood. It was a place I belonged.
Mrs. Balser was a rotund lady who made the best desserts and welcomed everyone to church with the warmth that I imagined a grandparent would have. She helped me belong in a place that I constantly questioned.
Lastly, I must mention my Grade 3 teacher, Miss Larson. She was so lovely and soft spoken and didn’t know my big sister or my family. She saw me. She nourished my love for words, reading and writing. She gave me a book for some reward called ‘Nobody Loves Me’(Mrs. O.F.Walton, Lamplighter Publishing).I don’t believe, I still have it but it was in my library, read and reread and simply remembered for many years.
Bobbie,
ReplyDeleteI found many similarities between your Dad and mine. I imagine that they would have gotten along very well if they had ever met. Although my Dad was 10 years younger than yours when I was born, I considered him old. He was always young at heart (today he still refers to himself as being 39 years old) and always had the energy and vigor as you had named in your father. He was the one who raised us when my mom was out of town, or locked up in her room reading or working. He studied music in college and was very passionate about classical music. He was supportive of providing us with piano and other musical instrument lessons. He took us on nature walks, hiking trails and trips to the lake or the beach. He loved nature, history, and antiques. He shared all of his interests with us, and he encouraged social interaction with the world. He loves to talk, and still calls and talks to me whenever he gets a chance.
I sure wish I grew up with a sister like yours. Instead, I had two brothers, who always argued. I found best friends throughout my childhood that I referred to as my sister. I believe God gave us friends to make up for the family that we never got to choose. Thanks for sharing your inspirational childhood web with us!
Bobbie - I also had a sibling quite older than me (ten years). I remember always thinking how "cool" he was...because of this, I always tried to follow in his footsteps. Just like your sister and you, my brother was always and still is very protective of me. It's actually a very nice feeling to know you always have someone there for you.
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