On Memories From Childhood And What it Means To Leave It Behind
Start writing a post
Entertainment

On Memories From Childhood And What it Means To Leave It Behind

How I Discovered that There is Still an Inner Child in Me

419
On Memories From Childhood And What it Means To Leave It Behind

There is this feeling that has overcome me in the past few weeks, a feeling that I am clinging to something that does not exist anymore. That I am clinging to a feeling, to a time of freedom and innocence. I’m clinging to games played in the backyard, to the smell of grass as I tumble down a hill, to play dates, blanket forts and stamping in muddy puddles. I am clinging to childhood.
As my first year of college comes to a close, I am beginning to realize that childhood feels further away to me than adulthood. The days of carefree walks to the park, hand in hand with my father or mother, the days of receiving piggy pack rides and magic kisses for my skinned needs are slipping away from me and I feel an overwhelming sense of loss.


With finals week approaching and the stress of looking for an apartment to live in next semester, I find the responsibilities of being an adult grabbing onto me and pulling me farther from the child that I once was. And it is crushing. To wake up on day and realize that it’s not just your family you miss, but a time in your life. And that is irretrievable and forever slipping farther out of reach, as adulthood obligations pull me further into the world of responsibilities and new horizons.
Not that those new horizons aren’t beautiful or exciting in their own way. As I gaze into a world that is laid out for me and expand my hand out toward that world, grazing it with my fingertips, I can’t help but be thrilled. But along with that comes taking that step. The leap headfirst into the adult world, where you grab a hold of those horizons and hope you make it out unscathed. But does that mean that I have to leave my childhood behind in the process?


Seeing my 5 year old sister, Gabby, again gives me a wonderful breath of fresh air, filling my lungs for the first time in years. Gabby’s delightful innocence and beautiful wonder takes me in and captivates me. She takes my hand and leads me into her world, where things are so exciting and the whole world her playground. She teaches me how to be a kid again. And I want so hard to bottle up that childhood feeling and take it back to college and the Adult World with me. But the feeling fades as pressures of the working world close in. And I find myself desperate for a way to recapture that beautiful childhood innocence without a time machine.
But then I think about the adults in my life who guided me through my childhood. My mother and father. And I realise that they, in there own way, both still contain their childhoods inside of them as well. Even though they carry the burdens of adulthood, sometimes heavily, on their shoulders, they still manage to let their child selves come out. I see it when my mom looks and the ocean, wonder and awe in her gaze as she squeaks with delight. I see it when my dad hears his favourite song on the radio and we drive around the block so we can hear the whole thing. They are just glimpses of their inner kid, but they are there none the less beautiful.
So when I think on my beautiful little sister and the wonderful adults in my life, a little spark of hope erupts in me. That perhaps you never truly leave your childhood behind, perhaps it lingers, in the little things, and keeps us from being dragged completely into adulthood's clutches. The child in all of us keeps us afloat when all hope seems lost. And although it is with great sadness that I take another step away from my time as a child, I know will never truly stop being a child at heart.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

71335
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

133438
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments