When I was young, countless adults informed me to cherish my fleeting childhood years instead of wishing to be older, for time will pass, they said, and I might regret not enjoying these seasons of childhood simplicity. At the time, I couldn't fully understand the value of childhood, since I had known no other season in life, and their advice was polar opposite to my dream of becoming an adult and doing fun, grown-up things.Well the sun has crossed the sky, and I can now only wistfully glance back at the shadows of my childhood, indeed with a little regret that I didn't adore them more. How I would love be transported back for just a day... to close my 6th grade Math book and bolt outside into the fresh, embracing outdoors. I would saddle up my old friend Silver, and fill my saddlebags with snacks and a notebook. Then off to the woods I would go; jumping fallen oaks, splashing through clouded puddles, then breaking through the wood line and dashing across the open fields and into the sunset.
I can still taste that freedom; that safe carelessness. And I kinda miss it today...
Life was much simpler when we were little, wasn't it? I know that especially in my own life. You didn't worry about things....and I am guilty of that now
ReplyDeleteAh, Kaysie.
ReplyDeleteRemember you can't run straight if you're looking behind you :)
I sometimes have the same thoughts, missing my grandfather, wishing for my young summers back.
Ella, yes I know. I am guilty of worrying about too much as well. I think I need to keep the child-like faith in God into my adulthood -- not becoming anxious over stuff I have no control over and trusting God.
ReplyDeleteJillian, yes... I know. I was just playfully musing on this weird nostalgia I feel today. :) I know it will pass.
I know what you mean Kaysie - you're not the only one! Sometimes I too find myself wishing I could go back to "the good 'ole days" when life made sense, according to my simplistic, childlike thinking.
ReplyDeleteYet sometimes I wonder why I say "...the good 'ole days..." as if I regretted growing up (still growing...). Sure, it's wonderful that I have a lovely childhood to look back upon - that's a huge blessing! But I also need to look at how far God has brought me, how much I've grown, what He's done in my life...
You're right where God wants you Kaysie. Just remember that. You're loved!
Oh, I know what you mean, Kaysie! I'm a few years younger than you are, just barely out of what's considered "childhood," but I do miss it somedays!
ReplyDeleteSometimes, I have to shake myself out of the nostalgia and back into reality, where I realize that I am still so young, still able to grow and learn, still able to enjoy the youth that can afford so many of life's wonderful lessons.
And that makes me feel a little better. :-)
This was a sweet, fun post!
Kasie, thanks. :) You are right. God has brought me a long way. Thank you for your sweet encouragement!
ReplyDeleteJasmine, I think I am just homesick for the place I used to live when I was a child. I have so many memories there... but, I must wake up from daydreams and focus on reality. :) Thanks for your comment! Good to hear from you!
Working with kids makes me stop a thousand times a time and remember when life was that simple. Watching the little guys storm an imaginary castle takes me back to the days where a room wasn't just a room...in our heads it was so much more. :) I loved those days, and I wonder why it is that growing up hurts so much.
ReplyDeleteRebekah, being around kids will definitely make you reflect back to childhood imagination. Those were fun times! :) Sometimes it is painful to grow up...
ReplyDeleteI often reminisce about my childhood and wish that I could go back into its carefree days. Something I've realized as I get older is that, yes, I must mature and grow in wisdom--the most crucial thing in life is making sure that our relationship with Christ is constantly growing into something strong, sturdy and beautiful--but holding onto the benefits of childhood I think is also quite important. God says to hold onto our childlike faith; we can't let the knowledge that we gain as we grow older get in the way of our faith in the Savior.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think it's important to hold onto the imagination of a child. I love the movie "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" for that reason. If you haven't seen it, you really should. Amidst its whimsical themes and execution of the story, what stands out most is the sheer brilliance of Mr. Magorium--he is like a child, he owns a toy store, he speaks about things which your average adult would consider absolute nonsense, but throughout the whole film, he carries this sense of deep wisdom. I believe we do need to lose the restraints that we put on ourselves when we become adults and only adopt the changes that God requires us to have.
I'm still just 15 years old, but God has always spoken very vividly to me in that area--I never want to lose that simple and magical faith that I had when I first discovered that I had a Savior who loved me more than any man could ever love. He created the joy that is constantly indwelled in my being and I owe it to Him to share it by holding onto the simple happiness of a child--I will always be a child of God. :)
Thanks for this thought provoking post. Great subject!
--Abigail
P.S. I don't know if you've ever visited my blog before, but I will be starting a monthly blogging challenge on February 2nd. I'm hoping to get several people to post their original works of poetry on their blogs on the first Monday of every month and then link up on my blog. It would be a great way to encourage each other with our words and our relationships with Christ. You write so incredibly, and I would be honored to have you participate! :) I will be posting more information on it this Saturday. I can post again on your blog to remind you to check it if you would like. Please prayerfully consider getting involved. Your work is inspiring and I know that everyone would be so encouraged to read it!
So true Kaysie... I feel the same way. I can hardly remember my childhood because every day I wished to be older. Now I kind of miss being able to 'bolt outside' like you described, and the ironic thing is -- we had a horse named Silver too! And I would pack his saddlebags with -- what else -- snack and a notebook and ride for hours on the trails. God is so funny sometimes!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you are feeling better. I don't know how it is down there, but the flu is going around here too... I had to call in sick at work yesterday because I had a dreadful cold. Get better soon!
In Him
Phylicia