Growing up there use to be a family tent hidden away under the dust in our garage. No one really took us out to family picnics or outings after my parents divorce, this little tent was a reminder of the good memories we had with our parents before our life changed. When ever I wanted to play pretend camping with my siblings I would unpack the countless pieces of the tent and try my luck at building it.
Sadly, my attempts would fail as I get lost in the countless yards of fabric and stupid poles that I had no idea where they go. Believe it or not, setting up a family size tent at 10 years old with no youtube video to guide you feels like rocket science. After struggling for countless hours I would just stuff everything back in the tent box and let go of the thought of ever playing in the tent. As years passed, the childhood memories of playing in the tent faded and the childhood memories of failed attempts to build the family tent were left ingrained in my mind.
I avoided messing with a tent my whole teenage years and early twenties because I’m no longer a child. 18 years later, I am faced with my old arch nemesis again as I try to assemble a little tent for my daughter. I struggle again with the mystery of a tent. Luckily now I’m much smarter than my 10 year old self and have Youtube handy. As I see the smiles and giggles of my little one playing in her tent my inner child heals.
The scars of growing up in a broken home and traumatic childhood begin to fade as I realize the woman I have become today and the new reality I have created for myself.
Today I am strong and capable of giving my child the childhood memories I once dreamed of…
Inspiration: Life. Not everyone is blessed to have great parents and a childhood filled of joy. However, we are all promised a tomorrow and an opportunity to make our present and future everything we dreamed of. Cherish what life has bestowed upon you and make peace with your past. Only when you unravel and release your past sorrows will you be able to fly freely into your future.
The Mind of an Intellectual 