by Tinoy Mama

Created on: February 27, 2009   Last Updated: February 28, 2009

One of my earliest memories is going to preschool one day, pulling on my teacher's skirt and saying, "You need to congratulate me." When the teacher asked why, I answered, "Because my mommy just got a divorce from my daddy." Back then as a five year-old, I didn't understand the puzzled look the teacher gave me, nor the sudden attention and extra affection I received. But looking back at that time period of my life and what followed, I can honestly say I miss my childhood and would love to go back, even for a little while, and relive that carefree, happy-go-lucky life that only a child can experience.

Growing up in Israel in the late 1970s and early 1980s was probably very different from growing up here in the United States. All of my friends families were like my own. Knocking on someone's door before coming in was virtually unheard of, and we had a lot of freedom to run around without any adult supervision, even at an early age.

After my parents divorce I lived with my grandmother for several years. She spoiled me as only grandmothers know how, and tried to compensate for the divorce trauma by doing everything she could to make me happy. I truly felt like the most loved, nurtured kid on earth. There are many memories that come to mind.

I remember my grandma walking me to school every day. It was a good mile each way, and we would sing, pick flowers and play games as we walked. Several times we even saw some storks roaming around, and we would bring bread to feed them. To this day certain songs evoke memories of those days that make me smile, and many flowers take me back to those happy days.

Another memory I have is of getting up early every Saturday morning, only to open my window and scream at the top of my lungs across the street to my best friend, who then opened her own window and screamed back. We would quickly duck down if any tired, grumpy neighbor would appear at their balcony wanting to know where the racket came from. As I sit here writing this, I can't help but smile.

My childhood was filled with joyful moments-from trips, to presents, to, siblings being born, to simple bed time stories and hugs. I would gladly go back and relive those moments, but since I can't, I choose to give my son his own great childhood memories. There are many things I didn't get to do as a child-things that didn't even exist back then. So I am lucky now to be able to live vicariously through my little boy, and experience so many moments with him. Going to a "Wiggles" concert, I was the mother standing up singing at the top of my lungs and dancing. On a recent Disney Cruise I was the one running to hug the characters along with the other kids.

Perhaps in twenty years, my own son will write an article on missing his childhood. Hopefully he'll have many happy memories to reflect on. I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure that he does.

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