Arts, Crafts, Music, & Events of Breckinridge County Issue 2, July 2015 | Page 62

coloring books and crayons, and later from blank pieces of
paper and paint.We learned to build things from materials
like old blankets, ropes, and boxes. We were given pencil and
paper and told to go write stories or plays, if we were so
bored. Many of us were given a child’s record player with
vinyl 45 records, and in this manner, began a life of loving
music as we listened to them over and over and sang along.
I and many others like me from that era are the product of
old memories, long passed relatives, who set examples for us
to follow behind them, and the values taught too us in our
day. We hold on to and fondly remember our childhood
recollections. I, and many others, are the result of a slower
world, a more rural upbringing, and a world that no longer
exists as we remember. No longer is it a naïve world that our
children and grandchildren live in, can walk unsupervised to
school, or play out in the yard unattended. I will always be
sad my child and grandchild will not remember a childhood
such as mine and as of that experienced by most of my
generation. Perhaps, future generations will learn of our
generation’s early experiences from stories such as this we
share with them. And, perhaps, in this manner, learn of a
magical, sweeter, and gentler time. Then our pleasurable
memories of childhood will continue to live for those that will
be born in the forthcoming world of tomorrow.
©Lois A. Tanner