Missing that inner child
Mostly I miss my youth. The innocence, the freedom and because the family I have lost make up such a big part of it.
I miss snuggling under my dad's arms while lying on the bed eating biltong and I miss running up and down the aisles of the supermarket being chased by my brother (as well as free viennas I used to get at the deli counter)
I miss the family gathering at our house to watch Cricket/Rugby/Wimbledon and I miss being able to play in the street and obeying the "home when the street-lights go on" rule and it saddens me that in today's world, children can't do that anymore.
It's ironic that the saying "Youth is wasted is on the young" can only fully be understood when you're old! In the midst of the chaos that is adulthood, I take these trips down memory lane to remind myself that life wasn't always stressful.
I reckon when life's getting you down the most; that is the best time to re-connect with your inner child! Mud cake anyone?
Michelle
My mom, my best friend
I miss my mom! And the gorgeous body I had before having my son. He is turning 4 in June and I still haven't shed the "baby fat" (I secretly think that the baby fat has grown up into adult fat and is not going to go anywhere!!).
My mom used to be my best friend. When she was diagnosed with cancer in 1996, I was so sad. Mostly because I didn't know anything about the illness. She had a full hysterectomy and beat the cancer, but it returned twice before claiming her life in January of 1999.
I used to share EVERYTHING with her – looking back I think I shocked her with the details a bit!! But I kept no secrets. And she always knew what to do. She always had the best answer and the best solution. And she always kept calm in a stressful situation. Now she is gone.
I knew she would have enjoyed her grandson so much. Sometimes I can feel her presence and then I wish that she could still be around to hear what new words he is using and the cute way he smiles now that his teeth are all gone (we had it extracted). He sometimes looks at me and I can see her in his eyes. But he inherited her big feet and big ears, so she IS always around!!
I miss the care-free days of school. I miss the energy I used to have. I miss performing on stage and learning a new dance or doing some extreme experimental drama exercise thing. But I am now fat and grown-up and stuck in the office with a very heavy cold. Oh and I miss my mom's home-made soup. She would always make soup even if there is only a single cloud in the sky.
Thanks for creating space so that we can (over)share our deepest desires and happiest memories!
Rochelle
Where did all the innocence and idealism go?
I miss the innocence and naivety of youth. When I see kids being so idealistic and having such a great party, laughing and just being free and having no responsibilities but to themselves, I get a bit jealous.
I did a talk at a local school about bullying in general, and the impact it has on society etc. When I stood up on the podium, I looked at all these young faces, and thought: 'Man, if I could bottle this stuff, I'd be loaded!'.
When I got home, I realised that I missed the freedom (which at the time I thought I did not have), the smooth baby skin, the firm buttocks and boobs, the 6-pack on my stomach, the agility to glide through water like a torpedo and break school records. I miss being young.
I love life, and want to have another one because there is so much I want to do still, and only now discovered the things I want to do, have not financially planned properly for it, yet I must do it. I think I might end up one of these 90 year olds climbing the pyramids!
I also miss pikkies – the condensed milk in the little trianglular thingy. I wonder how many people will remember those. It was not that long ago...
Susan
Missing that spontaneity...
Just the other day I was chatting to a colleague about the things I miss that is why I'm so glad you brought up this topic…
I miss waking up early on a weekend and going back to bed for that second sleep. Nowadays I just wake up early, period… I have a 1 year old. I miss spontaneous car trips and getaways with my husband. By spontaneous I mean not even packing an extra set of underwear!
I miss not having to watch what I eat and not putting on a gram of fat. I miss my dear friend Liesle who moved to Zealand last year. I miss walking around after dark and not being afraid that I'll become victim of crime. I miss not having to worry about rising interest rates, fuel prices, electricity and food. Most of all, I miss the 80's – star sweets, neon socks, McGyver, Silver Spoons, Nancy Drew, cassettes, legwarmers…
But even though I miss all these things, I am thankful for the blessings of today.
Liezel
What are some of the things that you miss the most? Tell us in the comment box below.