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First Memory
It’s summer ‘59, Billie Holiday has put her death mask on and she’s now Trav’lin light. And somewhere, near the banks of the river Clyde, an infant peers at mighty iron gates from a safe distance, curious about what lays behind. He hears the rhythmic banging of hammers, the neurotic sizzle of welding torches and the stench of red-hot pop-rivets as the snapping, thundering sounds and reeks ricochet and resonates throughout the town.
Then… then, a deafening horn brings the cacophony to an end. The metal gates, like the mighty gates of Babylon, ascend, and the concealed society emerge. They push out shoulder-to-shoulder; they splinter into groups down roads, streets, and lanes. Dressed like characters from a Lowry painting, they go thundering along like the snorting bulls of Pamplona. The child scampers up the stairs screaming for his mother and lays in her arms sobbing like it was a bad dream.
Care to share yours?
Comments
First memories
Hi Jim,
I found your little story very scary. I could just imagine this poor little terrified child surrounded by all this terrible noise!
My fist bad memories as a small infant of 5 or 6.
First memories
3 Worst memories,
Being attacked by a big black dog ! It tried to bite me and tear and chew my clothes to shreds. Luckily someone saved me, but it has made me scared of big dogs ever since!
Being hiit and having my little tricycle stolen from me by a gang of naughty boys.
Crying to go home while on camping holiday in a tent, Thunder storms lightening and downpours!
Still scared of thunder today!
Happy memories
Aged 5
Winning first prize in a Easter drawing competion, prize of less than a pound in those days, but winning it was great I didn't even care about the money! I gave it all to my mum.
Aged 6
Rollerskating in the park this used to give me a real buzz. I loved the movement, the speed and the skating to music.
Holiday in Grandad's holiday chalet in the countryside near Yorkshire. A real home from home even though it was a bit primitive! Felt happy and at peace. I wanted to live there forever.
Best wishes Gill
New comment
Oh Gill! the dog, scary as you say.
We had a cabin also. Basic, primitive and for the summer holidays, I was born to be wild.
You got me thinking and asking myself, "What is my happiest childhood memory?"
Thanks, Gill.
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Hi Jim and Gill
Strange but I can't think of a bad memory though i'm sure there must be some.
Happy memories are running wild during the summer at my Aunt and Uncles on the farm. Funny how thinking of these times we seem to have had nothing but sunny summers, though i'm sure thats not true 😂
Judith
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Hi Gill,
I think every child would have relished those days on the farm. I spent my summers on the Island of Bute and I was pals with the farmer's grandson and I loved those days collecting hay, throwing food to pigs and watching cows being milked. I can still smell that sweet hay.