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Carvel ice-cream in a baseball hat
When I was 5 we moved to an urban section of Queens, NY. We lived on the second floor of a building with 2 sides connected by a courtyard. I practiced drawing all the time partially thanks to a printing press on the ground floor. We would grab discarded prints in huge stacks from their dumpster and draw on the backs.
The apartment we lived in had a bedroom for my older sister and I and one for my parents and baby brother. There was also a closed in porch at the back that became a bedroom for my grandparents and I remember the windows with curtains that joined our room and theirs. My grandparents’ room opened up onto a tar roof-deck and I can remember my grandfather fondly watching my baby brother play in a kiddy pool. I can also remember seeing a praying mantis for the first time on that roof.
I remember the handmade piñatas my mother made for birthday parties. I remember endless play with my sister. I remember my dad hard at work. I remember walking to Carvel with my grandparents on hot summer nights. I remember lots of neighborhood kids with street games and the corner store and deli and Stork’s Bakery around the corner. I remember my mother buying me rock candy on the walk home from kindergarten at St. Luke’s and us later making some.
I also remember being sick a lot and sitting by the window longing to go outside. I remember having my tonsils out and being afraid and feeling lonely when I woke up in a crib in a room full of babies. I remember coming home to lots of attention and new toys including The Sunshine Family that made it all better.
I think of that little girl and her happy life and hope my kids who are 4 and 6 remember these times as fondly one day.
I’m sure they will. (:
And we’re all blessed with such beautiful memories aren’t we?
I remember rock candy too!
Larissa T. recently posted..April TidBits.
Thanks Larissa – I love your visits!
I love happy childhood memories!
maryanne @ mama smiles recently posted..Handmade Kindergarten Birthday Present
Thanks Maryanne – I really appreciate you stopping by and commenting!
What a beautiful reflective post. And your drawings make the blog so unique and memorable, too.
Elisa | blissfulE recently posted..7 quick takes
Thanks, what a nice thing to say!!!
Those are fond memories to have. I am sure your kids would just as you do. I know I remember my childhood memories as much as my kids do.
Thanks! I am sure you are right!
This sounds like the beginning of a book to me! It was really wonderful to hear about your 5 year old self!
PragmaticMom recently posted..Happy Earth Day to Us! And Non-Fiction for Kids Book GIVEAWAYS!
Thanks! It is amazing what you remember when you start writing!
This is such a sweet post, Ann. I also often wonder how my kids will remember this time, and how much I’ve done with them already that THEY DON’T REMEMBER! It’s so wild, I remember every second we’ve spent together! It’s so wild being on this side of a child’s memories.
Tiffanie recently posted..eggs ‘n’ excess
Thanks! I know. It is interesting how those years are so important developmentally and yet no memory of it…
That was a magical place for sure! I loved it when we would play with all the Barbies as a big group. And I also really liked when we played dress up! I’m sure your kids are going to have lots of great memories too!
Kris recently posted..Interview with Bellydance Superstar Ansuya!
Thanks Kris! I actually remember more that I thought!
What a wonderful post. So full of memories and heritage. Keep doing what you’re doing; your kids will also treasure these times.
Molly Jo recently posted..RECIPE: Mocha Flavored Coffee Mix
Thanks, Molly Jo!