February 28: I would like to hear about an early childhood memory. If you would like to participate in this event, please sign-up using the Mr. Linky widget over at Molly's blog.
The first is of spending the night at my grandmother's house. She had a bow-end bed in her guest room (which my mom has now). On that bed were some white sheets with little yellow roses all over it. And the pillow was very soft and fluffy. I suspect it was filled with down. And the sheets and pillow smelled so good! I remember snuggling down into the bed and feeling so comfortable... sleep came almost immediately. Also in that room was a bookshelf with a globe and this little white cat on top of it. When she died, my brothers and I got to pick something from her house to remember her by. I picked the llittle white cat that shared my nights watching over me at Grandma's house. And in the morning? Soft boiled eggs and honeydew melon. And Howard Johnson Toastees.
My second memory is also bedtime. When I was very little and was still tucked into bed, I got to have bedtime stories. My father grew up the son of an actor and was an accomplished reader. Stories of Winnie-the-Pooh and Christopher Robin and their adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood filled my ears as I nodded off to sleep. My nighttime friends were Piglet and Tigger, Rabbit and Kanga. I always related to Kanga, being big sister to so many kids. Later as I got older, different characters expressed my personality well. I spent a little time as Eyeore, some as Owl. I've never really been Tigger, but right now, I would say I'm Rabbit. A bit OCD, valuing organization and order. I like it clean. But I tolerate the foibles of my friends, who may not be quite as organized as I am, and if one got stuck in my doorway, well, I might use their legs as towel racks too. It's called making the best of a not so good situation. I work on doing that every day. Even now, all these years later, Pooh has much to teach me.
10 comments:
Howard Johnson Toastees! I remember them! I loved the blueberry ones!
I too remember visiting my aunt and grandmother and getting to sleep in their feather beds--they smelled so clean because everything was dried outside. When I was a mother's helper the dad of the family always read to the kiddies at bedtime. He had a great voice, so expressive.
My FM post will be up tomorrow afternoon. Will you be able to take a few days off work to visit with the family travelers?
Oh, I really need to get back into the habit of participating in Mon Funday . . .
I, too, have memories of bedtime.
AND, having to take naps.
I don't know what toastees are, but these are great memories. We didn't stay with my grandma much, but her old house had stone on the outside and wooden floors, and a large dining room, but I preferred the kitchen. Small, but where all the action was! I was sad when she moved after her 2nd husband died. The new place was on a street in the middle of town and just wasn't the same as the rambler on the edge of a small town.
Thanks for the memories, Sayre As I read your two reminiscences, I remembered a few moments of my childhood too those times at my grandmother's house and the nights that my dad read me a bedtime story. Yes, sometimes, he was reading about the 100-acre Wood. (I like that your mother lives in the same house.)
Your post made feel all warm and cozy inside. Thank you! I had a father that read to me, too. Nice. When at my grandma's home, I remember being allowed to fill the bathtub up clear to the top and her washcloths had that bleached clean smell. Mmmm.
Never got to sleep at grandma's house. She was sort of in her own world by the time I remember her -- The rest of the grands were already passed.
I'm stealing your downy pillow and yellow roses memories. (:
Wow these are some wonderful childhood memories!!
Thanks for sharing you've brought back some happy memories for me when I used to stay with relatives. I too am late with my Fun Monday posting.
I would have loved to been there when dad was reading. I know it was awesome.
Hugs
Stephanie
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