Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Reflections on childhood

We have been living in my home area for the past few months.  There are lots of memories tied to this area, but most of them are little things that I had forgotten.  The sounds are definitely a kick back to the past.  The gulls, the cicadas, and other sounds remind me of being a kid.  Being in the ward building where I grew to know the church has also been good for me.  I realize that my ward family is there for me.  It is hard to explain how it is different, but it is.  I think part of it is that I feel the love of the members in ways that I haven't in a long time.  Being here has reminded me of a lot of the lessons I learned and have forgotten or have not been at the forefront of my mind.  A lot has changed but there are things that have not changed at all.  I am grateful to have a chance to have lived here and am glad that my boys have seen where I grew up. 

I have seen family that I have not seen in years.  I have seen my uncles and they are old men.  I remember them in their younger years.  It has been nearly 20 years since I have been around them.  The same for my other family.  One day I ran into an old high school friend.  She looked the same, but I know times and experiences have impacted all of us.  There are so many memories and so many questions that I have, but for now I get to experience my hometown and have shared experiences and memories with my boys. 

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