Throughout my childhood, I was rarely exposed to anything bad or scary or negative. Sure, my dad could be a little intimidating when he had his disciplinarian hat on, but that isn’t what I think about when I reminisce about my young life.
I never actually heard my mom swear until she said the word barf when I was in third grade—I know, it’s not a swear word, but I thought it was at the time. No one in my family did or said mean things to each other (with the exception of some fights between my sister and me—but we didn’t mean it). We didn’t yell a lot, and my parents were never involved in any drama. Nobody gossiped, there were no crises, and we did lots of Full House-esque things (sans the cheesy music) like play board games together.
At the time, I often thought my life was boring. My friends’ lives just seemed more fancy and exciting.
As I grew up, I started to get along really well with my sister, and things got even better. Nowadays, especially at this time of year, I’m reminded of how things were back when Jen was 20 and I was 18. The springs/summers of 1996 and 1997 were the beginning of our lives as grown-ups together. She had a black lab, Maddie, who always rode in the front passenger seat of her robin’s egg blue Ford Tempo with the automatic seatbelt buckled. When I was along for the ride, Maddie sat in the back—we would go and get ice cream (a kiddie cone for the dog), and just drive around town listening for specific Top 40 hits and talking (she usually talked more than I did). Jen’s boyfriend, Steve, was always hard at work at the Mobil gas station, which is why I was allowed to tag along with her—I proudly played second fiddle.
Many years later, I reflect on those times probably more often than is normal. Partly because I can’t make new memories with my sister, so I have to rely on old ones to feel close to her. Also because I often reach for my family’s feeling of calm moral stability to keep my current decisions black and white. Reflecting on my history is like asking an old wise man for advice, “What is the right thing to do?” …Ok, do that.
We live our lives in stories, and then we tell our stories, and re-live and re-tell them. Sometimes they change along the way, and often they change us and influence who we become. We plan our next moves in life by contemplating options and filtering them through our memory bank of past experiences. Some of the most important revelations I witness when I’m wellness coaching involve people reflecting on how their past influences their present. Once influences are identified, improvements can be made. Sure, it may be a little messier than that, but the connection is there.
We can improve our stories, make meaning out of our experiences, and evolve in new and different ways.
When I reflect on my early life and relationships with my family, it helps me strip away much of the chatter, interference, and gray areas clouding my decisions and outlook on life. It just takes a quick reflection of my values, and suddenly, the right choices become wonderfully clear.
I’m craving simplification lately; the simplicity that existed throughout my childhood.
Simple pleasures from this week:
What do you crave from your past? Can you bring it forward into your life now? I’m liking my theme of simplifying and enjoying simple pleasures. I think I’ll just carry those forward 🙂
Enjoy your weekend, Friends!
What a great post. Really gives me something to think about. Sometimes the simplicity of childhood in general would be something to bring forward – just laughing because, running freely just because, being silly…..
It sounds like you had an amazing childhood Lisa! It's so nice that you have wonderful memories with you sister to look back on! 🙂
You were so blessed to have been provided with that type of childhood. Going through a very painful divorce in the midst of raising three littles made me so determined to provide a simple sunnier life when they're in my care. My daughters are the best of friends right now and I realize it may not be like that forever. I truly hope they're able to carry on being bosom buddies for the rest of their life.
That chocolate looks mighty interesting. 🙂
You are such a fabulous writer! What a great post!!
I love that barf was a swear word, that's how all kids should grow up!! Keeping their innocence!
Thank you for a great post!
I've read Fast Food Nation, great book! Your story sounds a lot like mine. These words really left an impression on me.
“We live our lives in stories, and then we tell our stories, and re-live and re-tell them. Sometimes they change along the way, and often they change us and influence who we become.”
Well said!
thanks for sharing about your childhood, lisa. i like that your family played board games, too. i have many happy memories of parcheesie, yahtzee, old maid, uno etc., played as a family.
while i wouldn't term it a “craving,” i would say i have an appreciation for how much simpler life seemed in the 70s and 80s – both because of my age and because we were relatively “tech-free” in that era. as kids, we could run around freely in the neighbourhood, watch a couple of nice programs on tv…lots of happy memories!
i LOVE the photo of the cherry tomatoes! i love those! i'd eat that whole bowl! 🙂
enjoy your weekend!
My parents didn't swear either — and “shut up” was another phrase that was treated as a swear word. I remember enjoying my childhood, and as I've grown up I really like how my relationships with my sisters has changed (for the better!).
One thing I crave from my past is the time would spend with my family — and much of that time was spent outside, which is something I've been trying to focus on doing more and more.
I had a very “boring” childhood too – in the sense that we were always happy! Now that I'm an adult I appreciate it so much :).
– Beth @ http://www.DiningAndDishing.com
I have never seen jungle peanuts before. They look really cool! I'll have to seek them out 🙂
I agree with you – simple things are the best and sometimes simplifying your life and clutter is the best thing to do to calm your mind! I also find it so fascinating to see the products from overseas 🙂
I loved this post! Especially the memory of your sister you shared! It was beautiful. I also had a pretty drama free childhood. I love drama, just as long as it's not mine. I prefer it to be fictional, like a show, or a book. 🙂
Lisa,
I can so relate to this post and how you crave those times with your family and in particular your sister. It really can be wonderful to relish in those memories. Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
Love this post! When I was growing up I was often lonely because I was an only child, but I did get a lot of attention from my parents, and back then my parents got along pretty well, which is something I crave now (because now they do NOT!). I also miss being 13 and having a younger brother to take care of, so I guess you could say at times I crave a baby (yikes!).
I have never thought to add bean sprouts to a smoothie…I wonder what Nick would think of that one! And I love that you're students are reading those two books for your class. I want to take your class!!
Wow, you sure had a great childhood… mine was sweet too, but my parents were constantly fighting and I still have some vivid memories of that… ):
I grew up drinking coconut water. In Brazil, I swear it costs like nothing… but I'm used to the real ones, the guy gets the coconut, opens it for you with a knife, you put the straw and voila. I've tried some “no real” ones, but I just can't… I think it doesn't matter how great they are, I'm never gonna get used to them! I need to drink it straight from the coconut and then open it to eat the coconut inside… oh boy, good times.
I've read both books! They're AMAZING! 🙂
Great post it is so important to remember the simple things in life. I had a great childhood too and amazing supportive parents, one thing i love about growing up is how much more I appreciate them!
It's so amazing to look back and see that even some of the things that
frustrated me about my parents then are now often the things I appreciate
the most!
Thanks for the comment — have a great day Kate!
I love your thoughts on looking for simplicity in food. My Dad left to work out of town when I was 12 and then my parents separated for a few years when I was in junior high/ high school. I like to make meals that reminds me of the time before all of that nonsense started… even if my Dad pack “peanut butter and butter” sandwiches in my lunch, haha.
I definitely crave the days where I'd spend time with my cousins, just running through the backyard and playing ghosts in the greveyard. I'm trying to bring back some of the free-spirit that I was as a kid to how am I now. But it definitely is tough!
You have no idea how much this speaks to me. I am all about simplification lately. Our family is actually preparing for making a huge change in order to simplify and get down to basics for us. I feel like I've lost all sense of who I am and gotten too far away from my basic interests and needs. I am so with you on this journey.
You seriously try the most exciting foods! haha =) Bean juice doesnt sound fab but I have heard a few sprouts do blend awesome in smoothies! haha i'm going to try it sooner or later! <3
I've missed youuu!!!! ummm lets not lose touch anymore? mmk?
xoXOxoJenn @ Peas & Crayons
Now THOSE are some useful textbooks, I love both of those books! What an awesome-sounding class.
I love how much you talk about your sister. It always bothers me when people don’t talk about people who have died – they are still people, and you still love them! You’re right that the memories you have are all the ones you’re going to get, so it’s good to enjoy them. I definitely miss my stepmom. Her birthday was a few weeks ago and I had so much fun swapping crazy stories with her sister.
Sometimes I miss high school. I think what I really miss, though, is being surrounded by people I had long-term connections with. Since I’ve only lived in LA for a year, every relationship I have here is recent. I like looking at pictures and going back in my mind… 🙂
So love your posts. All of your pictures are so beautiful. I love the clarity bars or treats. I get on every time I go to the health food store. Yum. Well I just about crave every thing from the past. Just craving family memories these days as I live with the new reality. I will carry mine forward to.
Beautiful post! It really brings back some lovely childhood memories. All of your photos as wonderful also:)
Thanks for all the reviews! I’m going to look for those jungle peanuts right now!
your family sounds so calm and lovely! i love that. i always treasure peaceful memories.
I am ALLLLLL about simplifying. I think when you can get yourself back to seeing and appreciating the small things, the positive big things seem even bigger!!!!
What a pleasant childhood, that’s awesome! Agreed on simple foods, I all about enjoying foods closest to their natural form, especially in the summer when I crave is watermelon and frozen grapes. 🙂
Ah, childhood and simpler times…
I would love a bit of that chocolate right now!
And that almond yogurt is amazing — i’ve been thinking for ages about how to make almond milk yogurt — i want to make some with a lower sugar content (of course!) but never thought it would work…maybe if I used the almond milk yogurt as a base starter? I’ve tried making soy yogurt with a cow-yogurt starter in my yogurt maker and it didn’t turn out so pleasantly. But experimentation = learning.
What a great post; I love those chocolates, too..they’re my favorite, hehe…You have a beautiful blog and very well written…just discovered it and so happy to read more!
I just had to tell you that I listened to that cover of “What the Hell” you mentioned in my comments… LOVE it. I also really liked their cover of “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room”!
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