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Thursday, August 6, 2009

tell me about it thursday



today's idea, from Sandy at one day at a time for the meme, tell me about it thursday, is "your first childhood memory." if you are interested in reading more posts on other people's first childhood memories, check out her blog and see who is joining us.

when i look at my life today, i recognize that so much of who i am today was shaped by my childhood. what happens to us, who loves us, the friends that we had, relationships that we encountered, and how we handled all of those things make us who we are today. children are sponges and soak up everything that they see, hear, touch, smell, taste, and everything that they experience spiritually. they soak it up, decipher it and either spit it back out as rejected truth or in their embraced reality. more often than not, in their embraced reality. i believe we, too often, just disregard the impact that goes on in children as they experience different things in their life thinking they're resilient because they are kids.

i remember knowing exactly what was going on in a lot of people's lives when i was a kid, just because i paid attention. i soaked up everything, deciphered it and spit it back out, one way or another. when i began to have children of my own, i remembered that about myself and have always tried to recognize what is going on all around my children as much as possible. but, then i can not control everything. so, that is where trusting God to take care of them comes along. i ask God everyday to place my children in the right places at the right time to make their circumstances help to shape them in His ways and i believe that He does that. thank you Lord.

i believe that it is very important, though, to realize that even as toddlers and preschoolers, memories affect many aspects of our lives. the very first memory that i have as a child was when i was around three. i lived in a trailer court with my mom and dad. i had awakened from a nap and got out of bed but i could not find my mom. i looked all around and called for her. she was not anywhere around. so, i opened the door and walked down the stairs and began to knock on everyone's door that i knew my mom went to see regularly. i remembered who they were. i remembered very well. i only got to one door until my mom found me. she had gone next door to the neighbor's for a minute and heard me calling for her. she came to get me and reassured me to never be afraid if i could not find her because she would always be close by, somewhere. that must have made me feel secure because this incident did not cause me to feel afraid or insecure for the rest of my childhood at all. and, it could have, if the reassurance from my mom had not made me feel loved and cared for. i don't remember exactly what she said, i just remember having the feeling of "ok." i felt convinced she would always be close by. i guess, i deciphered what i was told and embraced it as my reality. i was about three and i remember this event in my life very well. children remember more than we realize.

29 comments:

Jennifer @ JenniferDukesLee.com said...

How wonderful that your earliest memories of your mother include a remembrance of your being cared for ... of a loving parent being close by to take care of your needs.

Great story.

Heart2Heart said...

Christy,

So glad that this turned out for the best. I could see it having the opposite effect if you had not found your mom and spent time wandering around searching for her.

God had you safely in his hands even at that age. I am glad it all worked out for the best and that is a great memory to keep.

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Warren Baldwin said...

Wonderful warning. I forget the exact figures, but something like 60 or 70% of a person's working vocabulary is learned by age 5. Think of what that means: the key words that will dominate their thinking, personality and outlook in life are already in place in the first five years. Your comments above support these statistics. So, the implication of your article is right on: be careful what we say and do around kids! Good post.

Kim @ Homesteader's Heart said...

Children do remember and are affected by things we do and or say. And I don't think we realize just how much until we think back to our childhood days as you did and remember things that had an impact on us.
Loved reading this today my friend.
Hugs.
Kim

Kat said...

Christy Rose,

How very frightened you must have been!

It is amazing how strongly our childhood memories affect us. My sister and I both still have nightmares that take place in our not very happy childhood home. Eventhough, we are both living wonderful, happy, love filled lives now.

Please stop by my blog today. I wish to pass along the true heart award to you.

Anonymous said...

Dear Christy Rose,

It is interesting how young you can be and have such a clear memory.

You gave me a lot to think about here. I sometimes do not remember how much children take in. I want to remember to be sensitive to that, even though my children are not very small, they are still young enough. They are so precious to me, and I do pray for God’s protection and will for their lives. Isn’t it wonderful that we can know He is with them at all times?

♥Hope

Andrea said...

I was strongly shaped by my childhood and the time I spent with my grandparents. They are responsible for the relationship i have with my Heavenly Father. I do not know where I would be today without their influence.
Blessings, andrea

He & Me + 3 said...

Oh how we trust what our parents tell us...so glad you knew that your mom would always be near for you & that experience was not a scary one for you.

Cheesemakin' Mamma said...

Children to remember more than we think they will. I try to keep this in mind as I intentionally try to make memories. While I'm not perfect, I want them to remember more good than bad. That is a huge goal of mine. Great post!

Eyeglasses & Endzones said...

Isn't that so true. Sometimes I think to myself man, I hope that I am not messing them up totally by all of my imperfections because sometimes I see something come out of them and I am like...where did they learn that...Oh YES...they learned it from me.

Good thing that both of my boys know that mommy is NOT perfect and if given the chance..they would be happy to tell you!!! LOL.

Great post!

Laura said...

What sweet memories, Christy Rose!

What a blessing to look back and trace your security to a loving parent.

I'm thinking of my first memories and they weren't always so sweet...but, God was always there.

blessings to you today!

Tea with Tiffany said...

My first memories are hazy. Hard childhood.

But my first clear one was when I was about four and my brother was one. I was outside and he was nearby me. There was a small pond and there were lots of baby frogs. I grabbed some and threw them on my baby brother. I thought that was so funny. I was just playing. He didn't think so.

:)

Laughter has always played a part in my life. A good GOD thing to have. It kept me sane.

It's good to remember that little ones remember and to treat them with love and dignity.

Have a good weekend.

We are going camping this afternoon. I'm trying to catch up on my e-mails and blog visits.

Love,

Tiffany

Five Moms & A Blog said...

Thanks for always popping over to the 5 moms blog. we enjoy all the comments! Love visiting your blog too.
Mimi

Crown of Beauty said...

You are remarkable to remember so well. That memory was tailor made by Jesus to plant security in your heart. What a wise mother you had to speak those words to your heart. She just knew she needed to re-assure you, at the time you needed it most.

I'm so happy you shared this with us today.

And thank you for visiting my blog site today. As I often say, when friends stop by, I am delighted.

~*Michelle*~ said...

thank you for sharing this great memory with us. Your mom sounds like a wonderful person who raised a beautiful secure woman.

I don't have much recollection of my childhood....kinda blocked out a bunch of stuff. I think that God protects us sometimes by doing that for us....and when He feels I am ready to address different situations, He'll be the first to let me know. He's good like that. ;)

Karen said...

What a great first memory...love and security are so important regardless of other circumstances....

RCUBEs said...

You, not being afraid in spite of not knowing where your mom was when you were looking for her, just showed how much reassuring your mom's love was. "Perfect love casts out fear".

I hear it from my son, he would talk about the many memories of times we have spent together, even as simple as him playing hotwheels with his dad, cooking mini-pancakes on Saturday mornings, etc... Those times spent and done with love were the ones that mattered to him, not so much with having fun in different theme parks, etc...

It was a joy to see a glimpse from your childhood and just confirmed that even then, you had been an amazing child that turned to a mature, God-loving woman you are today. God bless you sister. Love and blessings.

Beth in NC said...

Thank you for sharing this. My daughter is 3 - will be 4 this month. I need to remember that I am shaping this precious little mold of clay. My reactions and actions will shape her as well.

I can remember things from when I was in diapers!

Love,
Beth

Heart2Heart said...

Christy,

Congratulations, I have a special surprise waiting just for you. Hop on over to my blog and check it out.

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Loren said...

I can remember some things but not alot of the details like you do....wow! I am so thankful the Lord was with you and you truly did not have a spirit of fear! He is oh so faithful and you are a shining example of that!

blessings my friend

momstheword said...

I don't remember alot of stuff but I do remember some things. And I think that some of these memories help us understand when we have our own children.

I do know that we were careful when they were growing up as to what and who they were exposed to. I don't see anything wrong with that either.

Kids do soak up alot, and we wanted to be careful what they were soaking up!

I also think that feeling security and loved and "ok" as you put it is very important to give to our children.

Lisa said...

Children do indeed remember much more that we might realize. What a blessing your mom gave you with that reassurance of her always being close by and her telling you not to fear. Pretty sweet.

Have a blessed weekend!

Mich said...

So true. I have some very early memories myself. Little ones do remember much.

thanks for sharing your precious memories.

Carrie said...

That is an amazing memory! What a great feeling to keep in your heart...and to remember that for your own children! It's hard to remember that myself...that my kids might remember things that I don't even think about! Alex woke up from a nap once scared that I wasn't around when he called..I was next door also, talking just outside with my neighbor. My heart sank when I found him in tears...and this was pretty recent! I also told him I would never leave him alone...I was right outside! I pray that I will provide great memories for my kids!

Daveda said...

Christy, thanks for coming by and leaving a comment about my coleslaw, analogy LOL.

I agree with you, that our childhood plays a big role in shaping us. I did not have a good childhood, for the most part. It was not filled with security, acceptance and unconditional love.However, I know my parents did they best they could, you can't give to your children something you have never experienced your self.

I will admit that even as a "grown up" (haha, well most of the time), there are moments when I think back and it makes me sad.

Yet my Father has restored me and I now know that I am loved and treasured beyond measure.

I pray that all the time that God would help me to raise my children with the same love and acceptance he raises me with.

Great post friend! Love Ya!

Beth E. said...

You are so right. I, too, have memories from when I was about 3 years.

Great post, Christy Rose!

Kristin said...

That was a great post, Christy. I have such a horrible memory. I hardly remember anything, just bits and pieces. But I do remember always feeling loved, and I hope that my girls will feel that too as they grow up :)

Faith said...

Great post..and thanks for your nice comments at gold in the clouds!

we do tend to remember more than we realize..the good and the bad.....

it is great that you remember being so well cared for!

Jen said...

Our first memories can definitely define our ideas about ourselves, our relationships to others, and the world around us. Mine are very happy, but so many women aren't so fortunate as to have had good memories in early life. So it's a blessing when you can count yourself in the "loved" group. But even if that weren't true, God heals and fills that void in our souls.