I Need Ten Minutes In/ At...

[wife of]

Every now and then when things are realy rough I long to have just ten minutes in one of a number of childhood/adolescent "me spaces". Spaces where I felt particularly at ease with my own company to just read or play with a toy undisturbed knowing people who loved me where nearby yet somewhere private.

I guess I used to use these places most when I felt sad or overwhelmed,I've always been quite shy of showing sad emotions infront of others,not many see my vulnerable side,I guess thats why people think I'm a bit of a thick skinned dragon.

I was the first female grandchild in our family and at gatherings I would get weary of all the boys and there horseplay. These gatherings were usualy at nannas house and my lovely nanna cushioned out the bottom of a spare wardrobe where I could take my precious books away from the boys.

Its now nearly thirty years since my nanna left us but the house is only 10 minutes away from where I live,I often pass it and wonder what that wardrobe is used for now.

Just for today...I wish it was mine once more.

 

[freakofnurture]

I don't know why exactly, but I find this post very beautiful :) Your nanna sounds like she was a loving, understanding person.

 

[The Albatross]

Nice memory... those odd unexpectd times that someone met a special need... are golden, aren't they?

 

[wife of]

She was,as a child I used to feel a little cheated that I only had the one grandparent whilst others had four,or even eight if thier parents had split. Now I am older I realise how fortunate I was to have her,I learned a lot from her about how to conduct my life with strength and dignity.

I was also fortunate enough to have an amazing set of parents who taught us well about family values and that the measure of people is not how they treat thier friends but in the compassion that they show thier enemies.

My elder brother is amazing too although it does sadden me that due to geography we are now no longer as close as we were.

I realy wish my hunny had a similar childhood. Whilst we were poor but happy,he came from a completely destitute(near enough) and mostly unhappy family due to the sheer number of kids and parents working full time in low paid work to keep them fed(usualy not much left for hunny youngest of seven who regularly relied on neighbours to be fed) and clothed(hunny went to school in shoes handed down via three older brothers and cobbled with cardboard and tar.). The church has a lot to answer for when it comes to telling people its a sin to prevent concieving,being the youngest of seven was hell.

Any way I digress. I realised today that I still have my "Me space" its just that my adult one has four wheels attached and I can put it anywhere I wish if I can afford the petrol!!

 

[amethist]

Take ten minutes, close your eyes, and go back in time wife of. In the bath, before you go to sleep at night, or just go sit in your car and do it.

You will be amazed how you feel afterwards.

 

[Srain]

I LOVE this post and it really touches me as well. My Great Grandma had many many grandchildren and I rarely saw her but I recall vividly the time I had with her and how she touched me. She SAW me!

I get that from your post that your Nana saw you too by giving you a much needed haven. (Having been raised with only brothers I can appreciate your need for this. ;))

How wonderful.