The old time days...
I stepped into a time warp recently. I was cleaning out some closets in my family home, and I uncovered things that I had put away and forgotten about. I spent a very enjoyable (and dusty) day looking through old letters, cards, newspaper clippings and photos.
Among the items was my first diary, started when I was 8 — it was a birthday present from my older sister — and I smiled while reading the entries. It detailed my 8-year old life for a few months, then I got distracted... I found cards and letters from old friends, who are mostly still in my life. And there were photos which I shared with some others and we all exclaimed at how young we were, and how life was so much easier. I also unearthed some of my earlier writings, dating back to my early childhood. There was a poem that I had written for a competition when I was 9. I won a copy of Russian Fairy Tales in a beautiful illustrated book, which I reread many times. (All those Ivans being sent on impossible missions!)
There were reminders of work that I had done, groups with which I had volunteered, jobs that I held, and so on. The first ever business trip that I had made — to Grenada to install software at a bank — and travel that I had done for job interviews in Barbados. My first television appearance as a sign language interpreter; my role in founding a computer user organization and the trade shows that we hosted. There were newsletters that I had edited, clippings with letters to the editor, and so on.
Things that have changed are my fashion sense, although not my love of clothes and jewelry. I enjoyed looking back at my life and realizing that even if I haven’t achieved all of my dreams, I have done many things. My diary recorded that I wanted to be a scientist, and I trained as a chemist, before switching to IT. It’s also gratifying to fully appreciate friendships that span decades and which continue to be a source of happiness. My choice of reading material has changed too, although I still indulge in reading fairy tales sometimes. And, obviously, I still enjoy writing!
What are the things that have changed and what’s stayed the same for you?
Among the items was my first diary, started when I was 8 — it was a birthday present from my older sister — and I smiled while reading the entries. It detailed my 8-year old life for a few months, then I got distracted... I found cards and letters from old friends, who are mostly still in my life. And there were photos which I shared with some others and we all exclaimed at how young we were, and how life was so much easier. I also unearthed some of my earlier writings, dating back to my early childhood. There was a poem that I had written for a competition when I was 9. I won a copy of Russian Fairy Tales in a beautiful illustrated book, which I reread many times. (All those Ivans being sent on impossible missions!)
There were reminders of work that I had done, groups with which I had volunteered, jobs that I held, and so on. The first ever business trip that I had made — to Grenada to install software at a bank — and travel that I had done for job interviews in Barbados. My first television appearance as a sign language interpreter; my role in founding a computer user organization and the trade shows that we hosted. There were newsletters that I had edited, clippings with letters to the editor, and so on.
Things that have changed are my fashion sense, although not my love of clothes and jewelry. I enjoyed looking back at my life and realizing that even if I haven’t achieved all of my dreams, I have done many things. My diary recorded that I wanted to be a scientist, and I trained as a chemist, before switching to IT. It’s also gratifying to fully appreciate friendships that span decades and which continue to be a source of happiness. My choice of reading material has changed too, although I still indulge in reading fairy tales sometimes. And, obviously, I still enjoy writing!
What are the things that have changed and what’s stayed the same for you?
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