Children today are fortunate because almost everyone has gadgets to immortalize their childhood experiences. They have cameras and smartphones where they will just point-and-shoot and post their snaps on their social media accounts. With dozens of social media and blogging sites to choose from, they sure can digitally save their stories for the future.
Growing up, I don't have many of these. The internet back then was slowly developing. Social media is unheard of. It was only when I was in high school that I learned how to use a computer! And it was during the challenging dial-up days! Connecting to the internet takes forever!
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
I am glad to have this access today. Because of my work now and the benefits the internet gives me, I couldn't imagine life without it. Our lives today are heavily dependent on our connectivity. We are living a hyperlinked life.
Yet from time to time, it's fun to remember the days when we are too young to be consumed with the intricacies of life and internet connectivity. Back in the days when our only concern is to eat, sleep, play, and repeat.
I seldom get involved in a fight, much more a fistfight. But this story is one of the funniest that had ever happened to me.
I was still in elementary back then. I have a friend who was being bullied by one of my neighbors who is a little older than me. Usually, I'll just let the situation slide because aside from the fact that I am just a scrawny kid, I know I can't fight someone bigger than me.
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
But his bullying got on my nerves and he really irked me. So I punched him hard, with the best swing I could ever give. But instead of hurting him, I hurt myself. It was a full swing coming from my tiny frame, but he didn't flinch a bit. He just smirked at me and took pity on me because for sure he noticed that I was beginning to cry!
Yes, the first time I tried to land a punch on someone, I cried. It was embarrassing.
Now that I am older, I tried searching for that bully. The last time I remember him was when I accidentally touched his head, and his hair fell off. A few weeks later, all his hair is gone. I can't remember if it was lupus or leukemia, but I know he suffered something serious. And years later, I heard that he succumbed to the disease. I feel bad about him.
But he really gave me an experience, and glad that he didn't retaliate when I tried to punch him.
Back in the day, we were living in a place near a river. It was just ankle-deep in most areas, but in some areas, the water goes from knee to waist-deep. My friends and I usually go swimming in the river. We spend most of our free time playing there. Perhaps that's where I got my complexion!
But I had this silly idea when I wanted to discover where the water from the river comes from. I wanted to know where the source is. My friends thought that it was a dangerous idea, but I couldn't care less. I started walking. With my little frame and tiny steps, I began trudging against the flow and covered several kilometers. At first, I felt amused with the changing environment - from everything familiar to downright scary. Then it slowly turned dark. But I couldn't turn my back because my curiosity is stronger than my tired body. I continued walking.
True enough, I came to a place where there were tiny falls. That's the end of the line for me. It was already a new municipality (I was from Marikina, I reached San Mateo on foot, and I was just in grade school!) I looked around. It was dark and creepy, and it dawned on me - my parents must have been looking for me!
Tired and afraid, I started walking back in the same direction. I was already exhausted, hungry, and afraid because the darkness was all around me. But I have to make it back home.
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
And true enough, when I reached home, my father was waiting for me. He was so furious because they have been waiting for me for hours, and they were worried sick! He didn't hit me, but he did not allow me to enter the house for hours. That's my punishment. I have to stay outdoors until he made sure I realized I learned my lesson.
It was a memorable experience, and I never did it again.
It must have been great to immortalize these experiences if only I had a smartphone then. But still, these remain worth telling! I have other childhood recollections to share but these two are my entries so far.
