Childhood memory
How are you? Hope you are well! Taking inspiration from my last post on starting all over again, I must tell you that ‘I still have it’:-). If I just remember that ‘all I need is to continue writing’. This week I thought of bringing out some of the unknown aspects about the readers of mumways. Any childhood memory which brings a big smile on your face, which you are proud of and also take immense pleasure in sharing with your own kids. These memories last a lifetime, become a part of you and in the times of despair, they become your companion and bring back your lost smile.
I am going to begin and will add your stories to continue the fun…
I was about 7 years old. It was a beautiful October morning, right after the beloved Durga puja. By the afternoon, I was a bit bored. Right there in that moment I thought of organising my birthday party on the evening of the very same day. Now, people who know me well, know that my birthday isn’t in October. It is in December!! I was determined. All of my friends had already celebrated their birthdays and mine was still 2 months away. So, I planned it all ‘I am going to celebrate it today’. Although I am not from the dinosauric era but during those times, we were allowed to go to our friends’ places on our own. I went to each and every friend’s place and invited them to my birthday. There was no such thing as apologising for the last minute invitation. On the contrary my friends were really excited about the party. No one in my family knew about my sudden October birthday and the invitations. It was going to be fun!
I was a bit quieter than usual. Without my parents prompting me to change my clothes in the evening, I went and changed my clothes myself. A yellow frilled frock! I also remembered to wash my dirty feet and legs as well. To complete my look, I put a yellow hair band and a pair of shoes. I came out of the room with élan and eyes full of guilt and suspicion. There used to be long blue bench in our verandah (where I never sat). I used to jump on the arms of that bench and do my gymnastic moves. But that evening, I sat down quietly in the corner of the bench. Legs crossed and arms folded. Any observer of non verbal communication would have termed that position as defensive! My mum was very suspicious but she carried on with her chores because such moments of quietness were very rare.
We had an open door policy. Our front door was always open! Anyone could get in. But unlike other days, I didn’t ran out like a caged bird on the arrival of my friends. Instead my friends came one by one and made themselves comfortable in that bench. All of them were talking in hush tones. They all had a little present in their hands. They all were dressed neatly and beautifully. I didn’t move from that position. Every now and then, a sly smile leaked from my lips.
Usually every evening we played outside. None of us had the patience to sit and talk. But that evening was different. My mum had enough. She asked my friends the most sincere question in those circumstances, ‘Why are you not playing outside?’ I was frozen when she looked at me. Then one of my friends gathered up the courage and said ‘Because it’s Runi’s (my nickname) birthday today and we are here for the party.’ Crestfallen! Had I known the consequences?!! For me, it was something of a creative outlet for the bored mind.
My mum had nothing to say to me. Her look was enough. She talked to each one of my friends and told them that my birthday was in December. She also asked them to stay for tea.
On my real birthday in December, none of the friends showed up. My dad had to go their houses to convince and collect them personally:-)
Now, it’s your turn. I want to publish your childhood memories. Go on…be creative and write to me at suranjita@mumways.com or message me on Facebook.
Much love
Suranjita
