Thursday, January 31, 2008

22 Years Ago, Today

Today I found a diary in the attic that I kept when I was in 5th grade. It was funny reading my thoughts from when I was 10 and 11 years old. I thought I would share some of the entries here.

January 27, 1986

Dear Diary,
Today we were allowed to chew gum in school. I forgot mine, but Mrs. Tilton gave me 2 pieces for helping her out and Susie gave me two too. Also, the space shuttle challenger blew-up.


I thought this entry was interesting for the mention of my friendship with Susie, that really started that year and has now continued all these years later. And of course the historical significance of the Challenger, which was kind of added as an aside.

January 30, 1986
Dear Diary,
Today I was having a snowball fight with Andrew and I hit him in the face. It wasn't very hard and then Katherine said she was going to get me tomorrow. Uh! Oh!

January 31, 1986
Dear Diary,
today I handed in my book report and Katherine talked about her trip to Reunion at school. And after school, she creamed my face into the snow like she said she would do.


This entry is about an incident that will live on in infamy in our family folk lore. At the time, Andrew was in first grade and I was in 5th. I am sure he cried after I hit him, and I probably acted like it was no big deal. Katherine, my older sister by 6 months decided to come to his defense and teach me a lesson. I was definitely worried about the prospect. She and I were the same size, but she had quite the reputation for being tough and strong. I remember being super anxious about her threat and dreading getting off the school bus at our transfer station, because that is where it was all going to go down. I think I was so worried about it that I wanted to just get it over with, so I probably provoked her by throwing the first snowball and running. Of course she caught up with me, threw me to the ground and made me "eat snow". I can still remember the cold sting of the snow on my cheeks and the force of her hands and body as she pushed me down. After she let me go I wiped the tears off my glasses along with the snow, but experienced an immense sense of relief that it was over. I don't think I will ever live down the humiliation of this incident within my family.

4 comments:

EEEEMommy said...

I've enjoyed this glimpse into your childhood. You're so fortunate to have such wonderful friendships that have endured through so many years! It is interesting that the chewing gum was more noteworthy than the Challenger. Do you remember that day? I do...vividly.
And then of course, the snow incident took me back to our college days and you being thrown into the snow repeatedly...:) Not quite the same, but... ;)

My elementary school journals contain the records of which tv show I watched the night before (Cosby, Scarecrow & Mrs. King, Webster, The A-Team...) :)

partlycloudypilgrim said...

This is very funny. I am living in dread now of what will surface about me... I was horrid and shallow. For the millionth time I AM SORRY! You have always been my best friend...(I always liked you better than Sue, promise!) Sorry Sue, the power is with the person with the longest memory.

Daisy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Daisy said...

Oh don't worry- the biggest fool to emerge from the pages of my diary is...ME! I was BOY CRAZY(as you know), and I don't know how much of that crazy I want to share with the internet.