10 random memories from childhood

I was reading a friend's blog where she had written 10 random memories from childhood. She said if we're reading it, then we're tagged because she likes to read these types of things about her friends as it helps her get to know them better. Well, I didn't think I had a lot of vivid memories, but I thought I'd give it a try. When I sat down, it wasn't hard to do. So, here are just a few I thought of.

1. When we visited Mom and Pop (my dad’s parents), Pop would always give us a dollar which we thought made us rich. Sometimes we saved it, sometimes we bought something on the way home. When all the grandkids turned a certain age (6 or 7, I don’t remember) they gave us a bicycle. I’ll always remember the stockings that were filled with fruit, nuts, candy canes and maybe a couple of other things.

2. Grandma and Pa lived on a farm. When we would visit, Pa would always wake us up with his not yet shaven face rubbing on our cheeks. Grandma would make a nice breakfast and we would read “Open Windows” (a daily devotional guide) and they would let one of us read the names of the missionaries to pray for on that day.

3. My dad took every Thursday off and work on Saturdays in order to get more done. I remember getting to go with dad sometimes to work (at church) with him some Saturdays. My sister and I would watch movies; I definitely remember watching the Care Bear movie a lot, we’d type on the electric typewriter which I thought was pretty cool, we’d make up stories, color pictures, and dad would let us walk across the street to Texaco to get a coke and a candy bar, my favorite was 3 Musketeers and a Dr. Pepper.

4. We did not believe in Santa Claus but mom and dad still made it fun. I remember waiting until my parents got up to go downstairs in case they hadn’t filled the stockings yet. Stockings would be the first thing we’d open…they’re still one of my favorite things. Mom always made a big breakfast which we’d eat, then turn on Christmas music on an old record player, one of those big boxey ones that sit on the ground. We’d put on several records because it took a long time for us to open presents. They were 6 total and we’d go around in a circle, each opening one present from youngest to oldest and we’d keep going around until they were all open. Several days or weeks before Christmas, mom would start taking requests for Christmas treats. We all got to choose something for her to make, sometimes we would help. My choice was always fudge. She still likes to do this, of course in smaller quantities now.

5. I remember sitting next to dad in church snuggled up to him. He always carried pieces of yellow legal pad papers. He’d pull out a piece of paper and a pen/pencil (usually one of those silver dual pen/pencils) from his suit coat pocket and hand it to us. I also remember him sometimes tapping me on the shoulder; when I’d turn to look, he’d have a peppermint hard candy in his hand. He carried those in his pocket for us. Later, when I thought I was too cool to sit with him, I remember hearing his voice from across the church singing, his speaking and singing voice seemed to carry through the church. He never used a hymnal and he knew most of the words to most of the songs.

6. My dad's job was much more flexible than mom's, so when we were sick, dad would drop mom off at work, and come home with 7-up, crackers and magazines, stuffed animal, and/or those crossword variety type magazines. I didn't love getting sick, but I loved getting this stuff to help us pass the time.

7. My mom worked at a place called the “Lion’s Den”. I don’t remember what kind of shop it was but from what I remember, it was a gift type shop. I remember going with dad to pick her up and loving to look at the huge bigger than life sized nutcrackers. There was also a candy shop downstairs we enjoyed salivating over and sometimes we would bring home different types of fudge and candies.

8. My mom didn’t drive, so my dad took her everywhere. I just remember how sweet it was when dad dropped off and give my mom a kiss. If she went shopping, he’d sit out in the car many times, no matter how long she’d be and read. He was usually had more than one book to read in the car at all times, along with highlighters and pens so he could write and mark in the books.

9. I remember at Mom and Pop’s place in East Texas, they had a lot of land with a pond in the “back” I remember fishing and always trying to catch that one big elusive fish, which I believe someone finally caught but put it back where it belonged. We would sit on the porch shelling beans and I remember the big daddy long legs that would normally be around.

10. On birthdays, we didn’t have big parties but had family time. My mom would make whatever dinner or bring something home from our favorite place and whatever cake we wanted. Sometimes we went out to eat but usually we ate at home. We would go around saying something nice about the birthday person…which wasn’t always easy growing up when you’re mad at your sibling.