Memoirs

[Ayla]

Whenever I step into the crisp breeze and can smell rain on the air I can close my eyes and part of me is standing in the foothills of West Virginia. A part of my soul will always reside there. No matter where I may travel or how old I may get, a part of me will always echoe through those mountains.

Life was much more simple there. As a child the only thing my cousins and I needed to entertain ourselves was a rake and a pile of leaves. Once we bored of that we had acres of unspoiled land to explore. Creeks to splash in, caves to dare one another into. I look back on my childhood now and realize that I had the type of childhood most kids dream of. I was never lonely for a friend. I had a brother and eight first cousins that were always around. There was always one more game of make believe to be played, a few more miles to ride our bikes, a handful more rocks to skip in the creek.

In the summer our whole family often went for walks after dinner. There would be ten or more of us walking up that old dirt road. All of us just a little to full on fried rabbit and fresh vegetables from the garden. The kids always ran ahead to see what kind of interesting rocks could be found in the dirt, or how many minnows were in the creek. The adults always brought up the rear, intermittently yelling out to watch for snakes or to not go to far ahead. They usually had a slow and steady pace, though occasionally I could coax my Momma into a bought of skipping while my Granny and my Aunts would watch laughing.

The Fall brought new school clothes, the smell of new vinyl backpacks, crisp white paper, and football season. As soon as my brother began high school and joined the football my Dad and I became regular attendee's at the home games. We'd sit way up in the stands and I'd be huddled up under the blanket and we'd cheer for our team. Cold crisp air, a football stadium full of cheering people, and nachos purchased from the band boosters are some of my favorite memories.

Even though I don't enjoy snow as much now, winter was always one of my favorite seasons as a child. I loved when it would snow several inches overnight and everything became a winter wonder land. I'd often get my Mom or Dad up at the crack of dawn when it snowed so we could go for a walk up that same dirt road. Those walks were some of the most peaceful and serene times of my life. You were almost afraid to talk in fear of disturbing the quiet beauty of the heavy snows. As a child it was times like those that instilled in me the importance of raw nature in my life, and that impressed upon me the glory of God.

This is something I've been writing. I know once I have kids I either won't remember all of this or won't have time to do so. So I wanted to write down some memoirs of my childhood and the way I grew up so that my children, and my grandchildren will always have that part of me.

[Duke]

You write very well Ayla, I can almost smell parts of your story.

[Ayla]

Thanks, Duke! I've always loved writing, who knows someday I might organize myself enough to publish something! :OD

[Duke]

Well you may want to send some stuff out into the world because it's pretty good IMO.

[Ayla]

Duke, I'll dedicate my first book to you!

[Duke]

It would be an honor to have anything to do with your first book.

[Merika]

PLEASE keep writing on here Ayla.....I love reading the way you explain things!!!!

[Duke]

Plus Merika and myself rely on you heavily to add substance to the forums, God knows we can't.

[Ayla]

Originally Posted by Duke

Plus Merika and myself rely on you heavily to add substance to the forums, God knows we can't.

That's not true. Mericka and yourself are the glue that holds this forum together! No one else is as dedicated to it as the two of you.

[Duke]

I think the fact that all of you chose to return to the site daily or close to it makes you all a part of the glue keeping us together. I'm thankful for all of you!

[Ayla]

I just read this post again and made myself homesick.



Thank God I'm going home tomorrow!

[Luba]

Ayla, your writing is wonderful! Have you ever read "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron? She encourages people to write and find a way to do so...I have four of her books and do "Morning Pages" every day...

Judging by your wonderfully written memory, that book would encourage you to find a way to write on a regular basis and even publish...

[Merika]

Originally Posted by Ayla

Thank God I'm going home tomorrow!

I hope you have a wonderful time Ayla!! Nothing like going home for the holidays!!! I have to admit you come from the most beautiful part of America.