I’m a girl that grew up in the country running in my bare feet down a dirt road with the surface packed so hard that I can still hear the slap, slap, slap as my feet hit the ground so that I could go play made up games outside at my cousins’ while listening for my Momma to call me back home for dinner.
I’m a girl that went to church and was born again at seven years old while sitting on the pew two rows back on the right hand side next to my Momma, sucking on a Luden’s cherry cough drop, drawing on a scrap of paper my Momma found in the bottom of her purse that I held against the hymnal while hoping they would sing Everybody Will Be Happy and listening to the lyrical voice of an old time country preacher.
I’m a girl that grew up as an only child for seven years until my Momma and Daddy brought home this little bundle of boy child that I rushed to the car and carried in the house where I tucked him in my lap and learned the value of love and the responsibility of being part of a family.
I’m a girl that grew up at her Maw-maw’s knee helping her shell peas in the summer with a cold dishpan sitting on top of my crossed bare legs and dusty feet and watching her sew and cook and picking up the skills as she taught them with patience and a watchful eye to any of us that wanted to learn.
I’m a girl descended from two large families that gathered for holidays in a mass of aunts, uncles and cousins where we celebrated with hugs and food and laughter and running outside in search of Easter eggs or lightening bugs or the chance to not be “it” in whatever game was being played at the moment.
I’m a girl that had a mother that listened to me and made up games and read me stories and believed in me and told me that I could be whatever, whoever I wanted and that I was smart and beautiful and made sure that I did not doubt those two things.
I’m a girl with a daddy that gave her a love for books and reading and taught her that an education is important, but that trying hard and doing your best is even more so when she came crying to him with a poor progress report in math scared at the punishment she would receive by giving her nothing but guidance and a lesson in how hard work pays off.
I’m a girl… doing my best to pass on these same lessons to my girl (and boy).
Great post and I could relate to so much of it, especially the going barefoot and playing outside until I was called in for supper.
I wrote about boys today (I have 2 and no girls) so when I saw your title, "I'm a girl" I knew I had to read! Really glad I did!
Beautiful. Simple. You have captured the values that we hold most important. Reinforcing that happiness and community and belonging and security are found in the experiences we share with (and give to) those we love. This is a very beautiful post.
Jennifer, this is so beautiful and the imagery is amazing. Your writing is growing and improving at lightning speed – not that it needed improving, but I can tell that you are taking off in a big way.
That is such a sweet post and shares so much of yourself! I'm sure you'll be passing those things onto your children and much mych more!
That made me smile. I really liked this post.
Except now that song is so stuck in my head.
Such a good post. It's good to know exactly who you are and where you come from.. and to install those into your children as well. Enjoy your weekend!
I'm so jealous of you family….
Aww, I love this! I bet you're doing an awesome job! There's a lot I learned from my parents and a lot I'll do with my daughter, and a lot I won't pass on! haha.
There are so many memories and lessons I want to pass to my own children. I want to show and teach them so much, but I'm often overwhelmed. It's the simple things I want them to appreciate.
This is a beautiful post Jennifer!
Hi from SITS! Great post!
That is such a great post – I love that you have such good childhood memories and lessons to pass on to your little ones.
Awesome! That is a noble goal indeed.
You got my heart on this one. It is WONDERFUL to celebrate the yummy parts of childhood and especially the nuances of being a girl. Thank you Jennifer!
Stopping in from SITS and this is a an awesome post. I envy your fun, life learning youth. It sounds so carefree. It brings back memories of my childhood; no worries, laughter and enjoying the company of my cousins and summertime.