Fun Monday #42, A trip Down Memory Lane

Karisma is today's Fun Monday Host! She requested that we share a Trip down Memory Lane. The story that pops up now and then and gets better and better with each telling is the one she wants to hear.

Having 7 elder siblings gave the following story a run for its money at many family- get- together.

It's also a trip down memory lane because I posted it one year ago (and hang that Perfect Post button in my side bar as a gift from Kelly of Pass The Torch.)

I hope you don't mind hearing it one more time.

The Runaway -- written as I remember that day.



I decided to run away from home when I was about 5 years old.

My best friend Beth lived down a hill and across several acres of prime dairy farm. There were a few barbed wire fences and a herd of black and white Holstein cows along the way. Those small things, however, were not going to stop me. I was going to go live with her. Life would be good at her house. She didn’t have any brothers.

I threw all my earthly belongings into Moms old hat box, grasped the flimsy ribbon band like a handle, and snuck out the back door.

My escape route led beyond the back yard, past the chicken house, the fruit house, the woodshed, and the garage. A narrow path led between a wall and a sharp uphill slope to the garden.

Through the gate I pushed, and fled beneath the pink climbing rose that trailed up to the roof. I was going to miss the rose bush and the chicken house.

I hurried across the flat grassy area that was edged on one side by some old growth forest. It was very dark and scary when you were alone. The other side had low scrub trees growing on the perimeter of a steep incline that led to the “lower pasture’ and a duck pond. Sometimes it was just mud and swamp and that day was no exception.

I tumbled several times during my descent. That box was bulky and awkward for my short little arms and legs.

When I reached the pasture, I tripped over a plowed furrow and landed in the mud. The hatbox lid rolled away trailing with it my panties and socks.

Darn clothes anyway. Beth’s mom would probably take me shopping and buy me all new clothes. Most of mine were hand me downs.

By the time I reached the electric fence that separated our small farm from the dairy, the hatbox was beginning to fall to pieces. I had tears in my eyes as I propped the disintegrating package against a fence post.

Several bovine in the adjacent field became aware of my whimpers and ambled over for a closer look. It wasn’t long before the entire herd headed my way.

This was getting serious. I couldn’t go on because the cows were so big and they had tails like ropes that kept switching this way and that.

I didn’t want to go back, because I knew that there would be a switching there, too. Especially when mom saw what I had done to her hatbox.

Hence, I bent over, sobbed into my hands and hid my eyes from the staring cows and the demolished hatbox.

That’s when something touched my shoulder.

I looked up to see my brother Mike standing close with a silly grin on his face. He couldn’t help it. He just had a silly grin.

“Let me help ya!” he offered.

He gathered up scattered muddy clothes and ripped up hatbox in one arm. With his other arm, he reached out and offered me his hand. Together we started walking back across the soggy pasture towards home.

That’s when I decided I didn’t want to go live at Beth’s house after all. She didn’t have any brothers.

Comments

willowtree said…
Just as good the second time around.
Gattina said…
What a cute story ! I can imagine you amongst the cows, and their tails are terrible ! I once got a slap in my face while I tried to milk a cow (poor thing). Yes, sometimes brothers can be useful as an only child I had to use the brothers of my friends !
I thought it over but I don't think that I ever wrote another story about my childhood, I never thought about it and there would be so many funny or less funny stories to tell, lol !
Anonymous said…
No wonder this is an Award-Winning Post. And what a great memory you have. I don't remember much about being five.
Makes me wish I had a brother.
bichonpawz said…
Beautiful Memory, Pamela. And definitely Award Winning. Hope you are still as close to your brother today.
Anonymous said…
Awww...this is just so sweet. Of course it is an award winner...
Heather said…
I didn't read the intro--just cut right into the story. Until I realized I'd read this before. Then I read the intro. And I think last time I told you about my runaway. Into my backyard.
LIBSMOM said…
Oh Pamela! How touching and sweet! I don't have any sibs and that sure makes me wish I did! Especially one like Mike! Are you two still close? How sweet.
theotherbear said…
Aww, Pamela that is SOO sweet! :)
Amanda said…
What an adventurous 5 yr old you were! How many brothers do you have?
laurie said…
what a great story!

i had a passel of brothers, too. i don't think any of them would have been that nice.

great story.
laurie said…
ps have you shown this story to mike?
kitten said…
Yeah! brothers! they can get on your nerves or be there when you really need a hand! I had 5 brothers and I was next to the youngest & only girl, so I can relate.
Loved your story!
Hootin Anni said…
Oh boy howdy, did this bring tears to my eyes...big brothers...yep, they're our protectors. I had one like this too.
Kelly Curtis said…
You're a master, Pamela. Well worth the repost.
DesLily said…
awwwwwwwwwwww love it Pam!


ps. i'd be happy to go to that movie with you!! It's always better when sharing it with a friend!
M@ said…
I love how cows are so curious. Funny to walk by a field and see scores of impossibly dumb faces staring at you, tracking your movement.
i wasn't around for the first time you posted this, but i looooved it this time.

definitely an award winner!
tlawwife said…
Love the story.

My mom always said we were free to go but we could only take what we had on so I would get mad and lay in bed thinking of how I could get all of my clothes on at the same time so that I could take them all. Only went once when my brother did (so the story goes) and I said if he was going so would I. Apparently grandpa picked us up at the end of the lane and brought us back.
Anonymous said…
I hope Buttercup doesn't decide to do this - because I highly doubt her brother would go looking for her!
Beckie said…
That is a great story - so sweet!
What a wonderful story. Brothers do have their good sides.

Sometimes.
Kim said…
That is the sweetest thing I've read today. I really enjoyed it.
Sauntering Soul said…
Awwwww, I loved this! My brothers would probably have helped me pack and pushed me out the door....

What a sweet ending.
Beautiful. You have such an amazing way with words.
Tiggerlane said…
I can just visualize you, muddy and sobbing...and I would have been TERRIFIED of the cows! You make me wish I had some older brothers....
Robocop said…
See, I am not the only one who had an "adventure". There must be a natural urge for human beings to travel.
Coffeypot said…
I had brothers, two older, one younger. Nothing to brag about. The two older were just there for a while,then they married. The younger was different. I pretty much was an only child, not realy a part of any family.
Anonymous said…
Loved it then, love it now, the perfect post for this theme. You should win a prize (but not like the one I suggested for Karmyn's post).

Wait a second, you already have ;).
Amanda said…
Such a sweet story! Heard it before and hope I hear it again.
Unknown said…
Oh, that's wonderful! Your brother sounds like he was actually nice to you?! Mine would've pushed me further into the muck.
Ms. Kathleen said…
What a great story! I have an award for you on my blog...It should be post pretty soon anyway.

Hugs!
BarnGoddess said…
Im having deja vu!

oh duh....this was a good read once again.

big brothers are great arent they?
what a nice story! thanks for sharing it again for those of us who missed it the first time!
Anonymous said…
I am going to have to invest in tissues. That WAS a lovely story. Thanks for sharing it for those us newcomers.
Carole Burant said…
Awwww what a wonderful story with such a happy ending:-) I have 4 brothers so I know why you sometimes wanted to run away! lol xox
Sandy said…
What a wonderful (and well-written) memory you have shared with us. Thank you.
Jenni said…
What a sweet memory! I'm so glad you posted it again. I don't think I read it the first time, but I'm sure I would have loved it no matter how many times I'd read it. I hope you're saving some of these family posts in a book for your grandchildren. What a treasure!
Molly said…
That is a sweet and wonderful story. Do you find that reading these Fun Monday stories reminds you of something in your past? I used to tell my parents that I was going to run away and build a house in the backyard.
Anonymous said…
Wow what a wonderful and moving story. Your brother was very sweet and compassionate.
Susie Q said…
What a wonderful story dear Pamela. I am sitting here with such a big smile om my face and I needed one! Thank you for that. I had been away from blogging for 3 weeks due to my Mom's illness and am still playing catch up! I enjoyed being here and reading and seeing all you have been doing! I always have such fun here!

Have a happy week!!

Hugs,
Sue
Kila said…
I love this story! Great writing.
Jeanette said…
Hi Pamela, Beautifully written and a lovely trip down memory lane. Thank you for sharing..
I absolutely love this story! What a neat entry. Thanks for coming by my blog -- I'm going to go see what else you've written. This is a great blog!

Maria
www.jubileeonearth.com
Anonymous said…
What an unbelievably sweet story. Brothers can be wonderful when they want to be. Mine would torture be, but he sure as heck wouldn't let anyone else torture me!
Alta said…
LOL
No brothers? OMG!
I'm glad you went home.
Bobbi said…
Oh so cute! Big brothers tease a lot, but they sure are wrapped around a little sister's finger ... aren't they!
Debs said…
This is such a cute and sweet story. :)

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