As I was taking this photo, I was thinking of childhood memories.
As a young boy, my favorite activity was to walk and explore the lands that surrounded my parents farm. Those days there were large tracks of farm land and natural forest with only a few homes spotted about. One could literally walk for hours without seeing anyone.
While exploring, I was often in pretend mode, being an explorer, a warrior or perhaps a solder scouting out hostile territory. I’d have a favorite stick with me that was my spear, sword or rifle. I would flit from tree to tree or crawl along a natural depression sure that I was all but invisible to any who might be looking.
I was whoever I wanted to be and there were no worries unless they were part of my game. The game was limited only by my own imagination and each moment was an adventure.
I’d return home hours later, tired, dirty and hungry but happy, my mind still racing of the days events. It was pure fun.
Today we’re afraid to let our children out of our sight. I often wonder how my Mom was able to let me wonder off into the woods alone for hours. She was no doubt worried at times but I never remember her showing it. I remember knowing that there were snakes and other things that could harm me in the woods but I never remember being afraid and she always seems to trust my abilities and judgement.
It’s definitely a different world. I guess todays dangers are more about the evil of man.
Great post, Earl. It brought back a lot of memories for me. I lived in the city, but I still had adventures. Most of my adventures had to do with riding my bicycle all across the city. I lived in Akron, Ohio. ‘Across the city’ was a total of about 10 miles, give or take. A couple of friends and I used to ride all day from one side to the next with just a little change in our pocket for a snack and a drink.
Thinking about that now, parents would go crazy! I don’t know if the world is any more ‘twisted’ than it was before, but with 24 hour news, the fear is sure ratcheted up several notches. I remember being approached by strangers and asked to get into a car, which I never did. Mom taught me well.
Those days sure did seem carefree. I wonder if they really were or if our parents were as worried as we would be if our children did the same. In those days there were no cell phones and you couldn’t call your kid just to make sure that he/she was alright.
@Paul: Thanks. I totally agree the fear factor is through-the-roof thanks in large part to the constant bombardment from our “news” sources.
It does seem like it was a carefree time…at least I remember it as such.
Hey Earl,
Nice post (and great photo btw!). As my daughter grows up in front of me I’ve started wondering about some of the same things you write about. I’m determined not to be over-protective, but it does seem like a big scary world out there. I’ve been successful so far in letting her find out certain things by herself and I guess the trick is to do that while keeping her somewhat safe.
She’s only six so it’s easy at the moment. I’m not sure what I’ll be like when she’s going on 15 ;)
I always remember my parents letting me explore the world and they always gave me a lot of freedom – but it was tempered with intelligence and respect. I think there are always compromises that need to be made. For instance, they had no set curfew for me when I was a teenager and I was never grounded and never threatened to be grounded. From day one there was just the deal that if I was gonna be late, I’d call them to give them peace of mind. I remember my friends always bugging me about calling my parents at 10:30pm telling them that I was gonna be home by 12:30am. But it was out of respect, not out of fear of reprisal. Not in the disciplinary way, but in the normal (I think) parent-child way. It still sticks with me.
My parents struck the perfect balance in a lot of ways, I only hope to be able to emulate them with our daughter.
@Richard : Thanks!
I had the same type of relationship with my parents. It was about mutual respect and also about caring what they thought of me. I always called when I was going to be late.
It’s hard to admit, but I wasn’t as good a parent as they were.
I’m sure it’ll be hard for you when your daughter hits her teens, and of course you’ll have to go through that period where you’ve suddenly become “stupid.” ;-)
Haha!
I would be lying if I told you there weren’t times I was sobbing on my bed, wishing the most terrible things would happen to my parents. ;)
Slightly off topic, but I do remember doing that shuddering, sniffly sobbing thing when I felt I was completely and utterly disenfranchised. Y’know, I really wanted that Super Duper Double Looper Hot Wheels thingy. I’m convinced my life would have been different had I gotten it. ;)
Yeah, that Super Duper Double Looper Hot Wheels thingy was all that kept you from being another Bill Gates…
or
…you would’ve put you eye out (Like the Red Rider BB Gun in the movie Christmas Story.)
:-o