tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post6206865187506558969..comments2023-09-24T11:26:16.606-04:00Comments on The Middle Ages: Five Crazy Things: Childhood LessonsDeb and Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04444390852070865517noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-76571539787197583512012-07-21T19:42:06.398-04:002012-07-21T19:42:06.398-04:00Oops, wrong account! That was me (points up)Oops, wrong account! That was me (points up)Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10020502430509158737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-51828547409070124152012-07-21T19:38:46.354-04:002012-07-21T19:38:46.354-04:00Dearest Newb, thanks for taking the time to add th...Dearest Newb, thanks for taking the time to add this list. It makes me feel warm and proud of the human spirit. So happy for you! xoxoDeb and Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04444390852070865517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-57421675761273381492012-07-21T10:23:39.075-04:002012-07-21T10:23:39.075-04:001. Steel yourself for the next eleven and a half y...1. Steel yourself for the next eleven and a half years. It's not pretty. You will see the underbelly of human nature. <br />2. The sadness matters. It has value. It will teach you lessons. <br />3. When you start making choices that have real-life consequences, you will doubt yourself. Don't. Everything you gave up because of those choices comes back to you, many times over.<br />4. Don't worry about losing your childhood. You do develop a child-like sense of wonder, and it's much more fun alongside the adult capability to fully explore ideas. <br />5. Thank you for all the decisions you will make. You made the right one every time; there's not one I regret today. They made me who I am.<br /> It took me half an hour to write this and the catharsis is almost physical. If I were to have written this a few months ago, it would have been a very different list. It's taken a while to realise that happiness is a form of gratitude-The NewbieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-23019417194616817622012-07-20T09:14:10.036-04:002012-07-20T09:14:10.036-04:00Gosh, I'm so glad I'm not twelve anymore! ...Gosh, I'm so glad I'm not twelve anymore! Here's what I'd say to my younger self:<br /><br />1) The most important one - it's going to be okay. I know things are tough right now, but hang in there.<br /><br />2) Don't be afraid to live your life. You can't keep everyone you love close all the time, or protect them from what life holds, but if you don't live for yourself, you're not living.<br /><br />3) You're smarter than you give yourself credit for. Keep working hard and don't listen to anyone who tries to bring you down.<br /><br />4) Try not to be quite so shy, and hold on to your friends.<br /><br />5) Enjoy your friends and your childhood. It goes far too quickly!Rozhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07324771087522337757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-57895307322242383702012-07-19T09:23:17.735-04:002012-07-19T09:23:17.735-04:00April, we're THRILLED to have you back here! E...April, we're THRILLED to have you back here! Excellent list, wow. No regrets, but still it would've been nice to be a bit nicer to ourselves when we were young, huh?Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10020502430509158737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-7441264422026060332012-07-19T09:21:21.005-04:002012-07-19T09:21:21.005-04:00Oh, just so lovely, Jo. I'm going to believe w...Oh, just so lovely, Jo. I'm going to believe we are actually telling our 12-year-old selves, as opposed to imagining it. #1 and #5 particularly resonated with me too. love, BarbaraBarbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10020502430509158737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-46331150651637919402012-07-18T15:11:01.735-04:002012-07-18T15:11:01.735-04:00Shalaka, I LOOOOOVVVVVVEEEEE my babies, Harry and ...Shalaka, I LOOOOOVVVVVVEEEEE my babies, Harry and Sally (my cats)!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-11477397865074056382012-07-18T04:22:32.710-04:002012-07-18T04:22:32.710-04:00Awww me too!!Awww me too!!Shalakahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00782094985343645473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-68634641590678828372012-07-18T03:36:10.896-04:002012-07-18T03:36:10.896-04:00And Deb and Barb, I love these "Five Things&q...And Deb and Barb, I love these "Five Things" posts. They really make me think, sometimes of things I haven't thought of in years. It's just lovely to be back here. :)Aprilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12945954352194416417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-8587816096327701842012-07-18T03:34:10.069-04:002012-07-18T03:34:10.069-04:0012 year-old April,
1. Don't be so worried abo...12 year-old April,<br /><br />1. Don't be so worried about what people think of you. The only opinion that matters at the end of the day is yours, and in a few years those people won't be around to bother you anymore.<br /><br />2. The panic isn't imaginary. Don't believe those people who tell you that it's all in your head, or that you just need to "quit worrying". And when Momma tries to get get you to go the doctor for it, listen to her. Don't make her spend over a year trying to convince you it's okay. Cause once you go, it gets much better...<br /><br />3. You're gonna lose some friends along the way. Some high school friends and some college friends. Try not to be too upset about it, because just a few years after college, you'll come across the best friends a person could ever hope to have. And these friends aren't going anywhere.<br /><br />4. Don't change your major in college, no matter what Daddy tells you. Music is more important than anything to you, so keep at it. Besides, the Computer Science degree isn't nearly as useful as dear old Dad thought it would be.<br /><br />5. Stick very close to Grandpa Woody. You don't have a lot of time left with him, and you're really going to miss him.Aprilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12945954352194416417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-42810771961552063242012-07-18T01:36:16.555-04:002012-07-18T01:36:16.555-04:00Dear Little Jo,
I'm writing you from the futu...Dear Little Jo,<br /><br />I'm writing you from the future, and I'm leaving you some "nuggets" for you to do with as you see fit.<br /><br />1. Life will get better. I didn't say easy because life isn't. If someone says it's easy, they're trying to sell you a load of bull pucky. Don't let their insults wear you down. Friendships will come. They may not be many, but they are strong and deep. You will find a group of people who value you for you.<br /><br />2. No. You're not "The Forgotten One" in the family. Mom and Dad love you. They're busy focusing on addressing urgent family issues. They do apologize for not addressing what you may have needed at that time. Parenting sometimes involves a type of triage - what issue/which child needs have to be tended to first. So, Mom and Dad focused their attention where it had to be - your siblings. Mom and Dad had more on their plate than they wanted to share with you because that's what they do - they don't share their problems with the kids. You weren't presenting blatant signs that you needed more because you internalized everything, and tried your best not to make waves. So, Mom and Dad thought you were okay.<br /><br />3. It's okay to be different. You don't see the value of it now, and you're doing your best to "fit in", but what makes you interesting are the differences. The family may call you overly emotional, but that's okay. Ignore them. Embrace life - that's what life is there for.<br /><br />4. You're stronger than you think. I know you've endured a lot. The future - at times - may be difficult. Your strength is your empathy. Your empathy makes you a leaf on the wind - flowing with the situation. Accept people for who they are, and what they can do. Respect people for knowing what they can't do. Love people because they take the time and make the effort. Find the positives - and celebrate them. <br /><br />5. This last one easier said than done. Try not to be afraid of change. Change is the only constant in this life. Embrace change. It's through change that you can grow as a person. You value what you think is important, and incorporate that into your own character. <br /><br />Celebrate the small things. People keep telling me we're amazing people. You are loved.<br /><br />Love,<br />Big Jo.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04115352587183592646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-65300787647038496802012-07-17T22:19:18.895-04:002012-07-17T22:19:18.895-04:00Yeah, this is utterly perfect for today's them...Yeah, this is utterly perfect for today's theme. Thank you.Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10020502430509158737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-32689311640132399122012-07-17T22:18:23.253-04:002012-07-17T22:18:23.253-04:00Excellent list, Becki! I especially love the one a...Excellent list, Becki! I especially love the one about staying a kid. Oh, and in Deb's post tomorrow, note that I say something eerily similar to your last thought here. Hey, great minds think alike ;)Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10020502430509158737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-77917277383221106102012-07-17T20:49:56.768-04:002012-07-17T20:49:56.768-04:00Love this poem. I've used it for several Engli...Love this poem. I've used it for several English classes. It is beautiful! :)Stephnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-64017161796416171392012-07-17T20:45:23.506-04:002012-07-17T20:45:23.506-04:00Aww...love you too, Barbara! xoxoAww...love you too, Barbara! xoxoStephnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-86134875080030488152012-07-17T20:37:21.329-04:002012-07-17T20:37:21.329-04:00I love this poem :]I love this poem :]Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06785247788175367281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-55471175420842924962012-07-17T20:05:35.906-04:002012-07-17T20:05:35.906-04:00: ) Yeah I think I could probably add a few more ...: ) Yeah I think I could probably add a few more to #2 LOL but personally #5 is my favorite.....besides #1 : )Kelly from NJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11695507266814571692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-54537257542398739482012-07-17T19:30:52.004-04:002012-07-17T19:30:52.004-04:00rigel can i just say something about your point nu...rigel can i just say something about your point number 4 that might seem a little blunt , it is a good idea not to let people walk all over you but be careful of mistaking aggression for confidence . they are both very different . the only girl i stayed in touch with from my school days has made that mistake and she has gone form being too meek for her own good to being so rude , demanding and in peoples faces all the time . i find her very hard to be around now , and i don't speak like that too often about people . <br /><br />you sound like a really good person rigel . i wish you the confidence to deal with all the people in your life . good bad and indifferent .Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12089552255135338948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-55442168402120932192012-07-17T18:09:42.152-04:002012-07-17T18:09:42.152-04:00The Road Not Taken - Robert Frost
Two roads diver...The Road Not Taken - Robert Frost<br /><br />Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,<br />And sorry I could not travel both<br />And be one traveler, long I stood<br />And looked down one as far as I could<br />To where it bent in the undergrowth;<br /><br />Then took the other, as just as fair,<br />And having perhaps the better claim<br />Because it was grassy and wanted wear,<br />Though as for that the passing there<br />Had worn them really about the same,<br /><br />And both that morning equally lay<br />In leaves no step had trodden black.<br />Oh, I marked the first for another day!<br />Yet knowing how way leads on to way<br />I doubted if I should ever come back.<br /><br />I shall be telling this with a sigh<br />Somewhere ages and ages hence:<br />Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,<br />I took the one less traveled by,<br />And that has made all the difference.<br /><br /><br /><br />(The catch is the difference may not always have been good, but you did it and it's done.)Dawnhttp://boom-child.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-46719207053897505872012-07-17T18:01:52.121-04:002012-07-17T18:01:52.121-04:00Fight the power of stubbornness! James, you have a...Fight the power of stubbornness! James, you have a fantastic way of combining humor with sadness. Beautiful. (#4)Dawnhttp://boom-child.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-47008161140955803932012-07-17T17:41:39.158-04:002012-07-17T17:41:39.158-04:00Thank you Barb I have always been a survivor and a...Thank you Barb I have always been a survivor and as my daughter said I wouldn't be the person I am today had I not endured what I have. What doesn't kill us will only make us stronger. I can not even begin to tell you all what your compassion and acceptance here has meant to me XOXOMarynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-19611966323142198372012-07-17T17:29:55.631-04:002012-07-17T17:29:55.631-04:00Just realized I could go on forever....but yeah......Just realized I could go on forever....but yeah...don't want to. <br /><br />Maybe one last nice thing...<br /><br />8. One day you will have friends from all over the world. This is awesome! Oh and please take English lessons seriously. You LOVE that language!Beckihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11056971028004881629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-62121518872184692182012-07-17T17:25:55.633-04:002012-07-17T17:25:55.633-04:00Hmm...that's difficult. I already wrote that I...Hmm...that's difficult. I already wrote that I would talk to my younger self...so here we go.<br /><br />1. If you really want to learn something, do it. Don't dream about the things you would like to do...do them!<br /><br />2. You will see Take That live, and you will never stop loving them. ;)<br /><br />3. You want to become a writer. You loooove writing. Never forget that.<br /><br />4. Please, think about what you want to do after school. Don't be scared...life isn't over after you received your certificate. <br /><br />5. Always check your bunny for fly eggs. Please, take care of him...<br /><br />6. Oh, and when Mom wants to get a new hip...tell her to not go to W******! <br /><br />7. And never stop being a kid. You did a good job on having a good time! =)<br /><br /><br />Sorry...but I just thought...(it's late, I'm tired) what if we DID talk to ourselves before...but we cannot remember? Maybe we did the things we did, and are what we are, because someone already told us about it? Huh...weird.<br />I said that I kind of like the thought of predestination.Beckihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11056971028004881629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-17096260242518768692012-07-17T17:00:02.258-04:002012-07-17T17:00:02.258-04:00You are 10000times wonderful! Love your last one :...You are 10000times wonderful! Love your last one :)Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10020502430509158737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528510907038944744.post-83487764514280262662012-07-17T16:55:29.358-04:002012-07-17T16:55:29.358-04:001. People are going to tell you that you will not ...1. People are going to tell you that you will not make it very far. They will tell you you'll probably barely get through high school and not go to college. Don't listen to them. <br /><br />2. You are 10000% better than what said people and your stupid peers say about you. <br /><br />3. God is here. ALWAYS. You may not be able to see Him or hear Him but He's watching you. He will never leave you if you feel like you are all alone. <br /><br />4. People will come and go in your life. The ones who put up with you all the way are the ones you should hold onto. <br /><br />5. Your parents may not always say it, but they really do love you. :]Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06785247788175367281noreply@blogger.com