A Song of a Childhood Memory

The splash captured my attention immediately and I turned to try and see the fish that caused such a great splash.  I had spent the first two months of the summer growing taller, so my cotton dress was plenty short enough and there was no concern that the hem of the skirt would become wet while I waded the creek.  I loved this shallow body of water that was always cold and shaded by the trees.  I was only seven and the types of fish were not important to me so I never bothered to ask for the identification education of creek fish. I backed up and parked my backside on a large slightly flattened rock to watch the sunlight filter through the tree leaves and dance along the ripples of water moving across the creek bed.

This place and this day resembled what my idea of what heaven must be.  I did not know of any other kid in the world who had my life.  Oh there were plenty who lived like us with farms, fields, cows, chickens, and huge gardens but I felt exceptionally privileged compared to all of the others.  I spent my days at home with my Mother instead of working in the hot sun and she talked and taught me everything about the garden and the chickens. She explained why she did things as well as how.  During the harvesting time the older girls were always home for canning.  One day a week they were home for the washing.  I hated wash day especially the scalding hot water pots that were used for rinsing and I was grateful that the older girls took care of these tasks.

I dug my toes into the soft creek bottom where the mud was a whiter color and giggled aloud.  This is what happy really was.  No one needed me or expected to see me for a while and so I looked around and realizing no one was within earshot I began to sing.  I sang loudly and joyfully about God and the earth and people I loved.  It was so easy to sing and be so happy doing it.  Time seemed to fly and the sun changed its position in the sky.

I could hear the cows being herded to the barn and I knew that my day would soon be over.  Supper would be served and a bath behind the wood stove in the kitchen was on the schedule for me so I ended my song, swished my bare feet through the creek water and stepped up the creek bank while I held to a young sapling growing crookedly out of the bank. Once I was in the soft grass I began to skip all along the way to the edge of the back yard.

One day in my life as a seven year old girl still gives me a peaceful place to escape to when my days are strained and unpleasant.  It gives me a sweet memory when I have a day of joy and happiness with my family.  Ahh memories.  How sweet the sound of childhood memories.