My first home (as I remember it).
From the beginning, I was a daydreamer. Maybe because I spent so much time alone. I was clearly daydreaming in the womb, staring at some pretty placental pictures, when the doctor announced, “He doesn’t want to come out. I’ll have to use the forceps.” He eventually managed to pry me out, but then told my parents, “Well, hope he’s a good’n, because you won’t have another.”
So you see, it was my fault that I never had a sibling. From the start, my BFF was my imagination. I daydreamed incessantly (and still do). I’d lie upside down on the old armchair in our Garage and visit Upsidedownland, rappelling through the roof beams and flying through the rafters! Yes, thanks to Grandpa Teemley, I could fly.
I had other magical powers, as well. My tricycle made ice cream when I churned the pedals and chanted, “I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream.” Plus, I could transform my Red Flyer wagon into anything I wanted: an airplane, a boat, a locomotive.
I knew the neighbors watched in awe as I executed these amazing transformations. All except the Witch, the lady who’d had me arrested for turning myself into a Wild Indian. That happened so early on, I barely remembered it. Yet henceforth she forbade me, under threat of having me “taken away forever,” to walk on her side of the street. Result? The only time I was allowed to cross our street was when I passed the Witch’s house (Mom called her that too). In fact, my first two human friends Crazy Old Alice and Weird Eddie lived on TOSOTS, The Other Side of the Street (more on them later).
Unfortunately, the Witch also had powers. I found out when I was in Dreamland. Dreamland was my favorite place to visit. I could fly even better there than in Upsidedownlandand! But one night Dreamland seemed scarier and less magical. The Hallway was ominously dark and cold. Momandad’s room was dark and cold too–and empty, so I couldn’t run in and hide under the covers between them.
Suddenly, the Witch was there in the Hallway with me! Only now she was ten feet tall and all see-through-y like a ghost! I tried to fly, but her powers were greater than mine, and she stopped me! So I ran. But then I realized I was only running in place and that the Witch was getting nearer and nearer! Finally, she reached out and grabbed my shoulder with her hideously spindly fingers. They were the coldest thing I’d ever felt; I was sure they would turn me to ice! But they didn’t. They passed right through me.
She couldn’t hold me!
Then, in flash, Momandad were there. They could hold me! And they’d brought the light back with them.
And so, you see…
I was never really alone.
My Real Memoir is a series. To read the next one, click here.
Thank you for sharing this nice glimpse into your imaginary childhood.
Wow, I love that kid. 😊❤️
The other night we were talking about how my side of the family is made up of a lot of crazy people. (Believe it or not, I’m probably the closest to normal…whatever “normal” is. 🙄) My thought as I read this was, “Are we related?” 🤨
Oh, I’m certain we are, Annie.
Your tricycle that makes ice cream reminds me of my crazy imagination as a preschooler. I remember a friend and I rode opposite arms of the sofa like they were horses. Mine was a robotic horse that, apparently, created cookies and dispensed them from a secret compartment in its back.
Wow, Susan, I wish I’d known about that!
Inspiring story Mitch.
I can totally relate to “Upsidedownland” as I was an only child as well.
Enjoy the day!
You too, Cat.
Thanks!
Beautiful story
Love these childhood tales – some people don’t remember much while some of us have very vivid memories. We had a witch living below us in a rented house- okay Mum didn’t call her a witch, just a wicked old lady. I was the only child for four and a half years – enough time to aquire an imagination!
;>)
Lovely story! Made me think of my childhood and spending time in an imaginary world alone and with my friends. In most all of our play we used our imaginations.
You post was a welcome break in the day. Very refreshing like ice cream! TY!
I loved upsidedownland 🌷🙂
Thanks for sharing another great story from your past. I love the strong symbolism of marital unity in “Momandad” just the way young children, blessed to be in a solid home, said it back in the old days.
you know I love seeing you embrace your life like you do alot of us humans seem to be ashamed to share or talk about our life’s you make me proud ! thanks for taking the time to do so !
My pleasure, and good to meet you!
Wonderful remembrances similar to mine. We had an old witch in the grammar school library. It is our pasts that shapes our imaginations to do some wonderful things.
It’s like you’re my identical twin. Except for being a guy. Also, the doctor who told my mother she could never have more kids after me, was wrong. She eventually had six more. But I was a lonely only until I was in the second grade. Then… twins! Then another baby and another baby and soon I was more like a miniature mom than a big sister.
But, the daydreaming stuff. The magical trike and Red Flyer wagon. Upsidedownland. Identical twins!
But then we already knew that, right sis?
I love your imagination. I can relate to you. In the future, I’m going to write an imagination based story because it is my favourite topic. Thanks a lot.
My pleasure, Lokesh.
This was such a fun post! I remember those wildly imaginative days of playing and daydreaming; I long for them to return. I’m still waiting for that second childhood I was promised for my dotage.
;>)
What an amazing and fertile imagination! And judging by today’s version of Mitch, you had the kind of loving parents who encouraged and did not squash your flights of fantasy. Thank God!
🙂 I’m an only, too. I hear you. But, our daughters had a combined imagination that surprised me. They would engage their Barbie’s in long dialogue, adding “she said” to the end of every statement. I think we read too much.
;>) Our daughters were like that too, inventing lavish scenarios together.
That dream would have terrified me! I’m glad it ended well 😅
Childhood is so wonderful , isn’t it?
Lol.
Great reading
Thank you, Siva.
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Nice blog!
Thank you, Lacsana!
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Oh, I’m having fun learning even more!! What a hoot! I LOVE this so much! I’d say more…BID. No doubt you were born with special powers! To which you use this very day! I giggle all the time reading your words–and nod my head, too!
Aw, thanks, dear friend.
It’s MY blessing!!
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