Loba Blogs

Tapping into my childhood and how I’d spend my free time brings back countless memories.

I’d read my favorite books and fantasize whitewashing the fence with Tom Sawyer or buying the little doll for Cosette in Les Miserables or helping Oliver Twist out of his misery.

I’d paint senselessly. Half the time it was really just doodling but then there were the occasional masterpieces of birds, flowers and cartoon characters.

I’d play with our doves, canaries, lovebirds and African Grey parrot. I’d try to adopt little stray kittens and have baby birds sleep next to me at nighttime.

I’d watch Bollywood movies and Disney cartoons in languages I didn’t understand and sing along with them.

I’d run around the house and imagine that I was playing hide and seek with my imaginary older brother.

I’d collect new released books and wrap them in gift wrap paper so they wouldn’t get damaged and save them for the summers to read with my favorite cousin.

I’d unwrap my toys out of their boxes, play with them a bit and then put them back into their boxes so they wouldn’t collect any dust.

I’d take my little doll, which would cry when I’d turn her over, everywhere and have her be part of my regular activities.

I’d count my stamps and colorful stationary that I had collected over the years and reorganize them by country, color, theme or however I pleased on that day.

I’d sit by the window for hours and pray to have lots of rain, sunshine, snow or wind so schools would close and I could just sleep five minutes longer.

I’d stick as close to the wall on the top bunk of my bed in the mornings so my sister couldn’t reach me and wake me up for school.

I’d go to sleep early at nights so I could listen to my favorite radio station’s bedtime stories.

I’d play with my toys for hours quietly and would ask for french fries for dinner.

I’d walk up and down our little block and get some change to buy a popsicle or sunflower seeds.

I’d get all excited for my family’s Friday night outings, would dress up and wait impatiently for everyone else to get ready.

I’d watch our neighbor cook and sit with her for hours and knit scarves.

I’d have long chats with my grandmother about everything and anything and chew her ears out.

I’d imagine to be a teacher like my mom with a classroom of dolls or a producer like my dad with my own set of camera crew.

Although my childhood had quite a number of stressful moments, as a whole it was stress-free. Was it that I was shielded from hardships or maybe I just knew how to deal with stress? Maybe it was both.

Loba