Down Memory Lane

byBeulahM1

266 followers

4 years ago

Prices for commodities have been changing at such a fast pace that when we look back at what it cost a few years ago we wonder how did it get to this stage? I remember when I was growing up we lived in an apartment and none of our neighbours had a refrigerator. My father bought one and it was like we were royalty because everyone came to buy ice from us. The demand for ice was so great that my father had to make provision in the freezer (because it was a small freezer) for a second tray of ice. Suffice it to say that was a side income at the time but when you are a child you know nothing about these things. As time went on the style of refrigerators improved because my father bought another one which was a bit larger but in terms of quality I would say the first one outranked the second.

Then there were the times when my siblings and I went to fairs and other outings. Attending a May Day Fair was my favourite. Apart from buying goodies to eat and drinking local drinks the highlight of the afternoon was the plaiting of the May Pole where girls did a variety of plaiting to the beat of the music. After that the fashion shows took place and what a spectacle that was. Girls and boys strutted their stuff on the stage very confidently to the applause of the crowd. Church was on Sunday mornings. We had to attend Sunday School first and then stay for church with the adults. I remember sleeping most times when church was in session because to me the sermon was too long and drawn out and I became hungry wishing church would be over soon so I can go home and eat lunch.

Growing up I was a bit of a tomboy as I hung out with my brothers friends. We were up to all sorts of pranks and many a day my mother called me into the house and gave me lashes for playing pranks on passersby. That did not deter me at all as I continued the pranks when my mother was busy doing something or the other and my father was either at work or out with friends.

Now that I am an adult I realise what sacrifices parents made to raise their children. There were days when we had a lot and there were other days when we just had sufficient to go around. But in my estimation those were the best days of my life as I had not a care in the world.