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It made me think what a harsh world is out there now. It made me think about the way the world has changed since I was a child.
When my Dad grew up in our little village in England there was total freedom for him as a child. He wandered the same paths as I did growing up, the fields were our world. We had no fear. No one ever interfered with us, I can never remember being afraid. I wandered alone most of the time miles from home with no one ever knowing where I was on any given day. Same back in my Dad's day. Goodness we could have been killed in a fall playing in the chalk pits. No one would have known or drowned in the pits for that matter. However, it was never people who were the danger.
Sylvia and Me
I remember walking far over towards Tebworth a very small village about 6 miles away. I was picking blackberries and had my Poodle pal with me, well I got stung by a Yellow Jacket and my finger started to swell. It hurt. I stopped at a farm and knocked on the door. A lady with an apron on opened the door. I stood there and said "I just got stung" or something like that. She took me inside and put a "blue bag" on the sting to take the swelling down. Blue bags were put in when you boiled up the "whites" on the stove while doing laundry. It never crossed my mind that it could be dangerous to go into a strangers house, I just knew I needed help and at that time one went to an adult when you needed help, so that is what I did.
On another occasion a friend and my self, and I think it may have been Sylvia Miller, while walking over the fields on a summer day. We got thirsty so we knocked on someone's door and asked "Please can we have a drink of water?" we were never turned down. It was what one did. Now I think about it and it must be very strange to open your door to two little kids asking for a drink. It's what we did when there was not a stream close by. Yes we drank from streams back then, crystal clear water. What could be wrong with that??? In any case most of those farms had wells so it was the same water.
So what happened? Have people changed? Or is it because this is America and not England? All I know is that parents get into trouble these days for leaving a kid in a car even if it's locked. I just read an article. A mother left her 4 year old in a locked car for less than 5 minutes playing a game while she popped in to get some candy or something like that. Someone, videoed it and the licence and handed it over to the police. I was reported for allowing Tristen to go over the back ally to a friends house where I could hear the children playing.
My kids rode their bikes around the whole town, together to be sure and maybe 6 or 7 upwards. We lived out of town for several years and they did the same as I did they would be gone all day, eating apples and wild fruits getting to know the woods and fields around us. I was never concerned, I knew they would be back for supper. If they didn't show up I suppose it would be a guessing game as to where they were, although you could usually hear them haha. I on the other hand was a very quiet child. I could walk all the way to my grandparents house and then over the hills to my aunts house in Dunstable. They would usually give me bus fare so I didn't have to walk home. I loved my childhood. I was content to be alone.
Then there were days when we went shopping and would leave our prams with babies outside the store. Now I am sure that's not allowed. What changed?
So I think of that lovely child and what have we done to the world that it is the way it is now? She is so outgoing and physical that I worry about her and that is very sad.
3 comments:
Janice I fear the world we grew up in has long gone, never to return..
I was an only child, and spent many hours by myself, walking to the swimming baths, and returning home at nine o'clock at night on the bus, or sometimes saving my bus money and walking home by myself. There were lots of people on the streets, rarely did I feel unsafe.
When I had my horse, I would ride for hours, in desolate countryside, I was never threatened or afraid.
Like you, sadly I fear for this generation, especially outgoing little girls.
My granddaughter is twenty seven years old, I am constantly telling her not to be talking on her telephone in parking lots, and to stay vigilant wherever she is.
Sad isn't it...
Hugs,
~Jo
Sure is, and the little girl who sat on my lap, one hates to see her lose her innocence. It was refreshing and so cute. She was so pretty too............I fear she must change and that's so sad.
I agree Janice, it has changed so much and it's not good! It's sad. I remember going to public school and going for a walk. I did the same thing, we would knock on a strangers door for water. That girl you met at your garage sale is special! I hope she never changes and changes the world! Big Hugs!
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