Monday, 14 April 2008

Childhood Memories

Memories of my early childhood
Carmen

It was in the morning of a sunny and wonderful day in Linares. We were playing in the park. There we were, seven or eight children all together playing hide–and-seek. My parents were happily chatting with my uncle and my aunt. At that time we lived in Córdoba, and from time to time we visited my cousins, who lived there.

Suddenly we noticed that my brother Rafael, who was two years old, had disappeared. Then everybody went searching for him. After a long while my parents were very nervous and worried. My aunt had an idea: Why not try asking for him on the radio? When they arrived at the local radio station, they met my brother. He was there. A woman had found my brother hiding in the park .She had asked him if he knew where his parents were and if he was alone. He hadn’t known what to say. So she decided to take him to the radio station in order to help him find his family. My brother was very calm, eating sweets and having all kinds of attentions. My parents kissed him a lot and congratulated themselves for being so lucky.

Some months later I hid myself around the corner of a street and let my father shout my name several times. Finally I went out with an innocent face. ‘Here I am’ I said very happy. There were no kisses for me, but a little smack. It wasn’t fair, my brother had had kisses and I…It took me very little time to understand.



Just a Sweet Memory
the_leviatan

I was 9 years old and I had been nervous over a week. Exactly, I got excited ten days before the great day, when my swimming trainer gave me the news. I was going to take part in the Epiphany’s Tournament and I was going to swim the 100 metres breaststroke. I had taken part in other similar competitions but, for some strange reason, that time was special for me.

Those days, when my parents and my swimming friends asked me about the competition, I always gave them the same answer: "I’m fine and eager and I’m going to be placed third". "And why aren’t you going to be placed first? Or second?", they told me, very surprised. But I didn’t really know why, I was just sure about it. The problem was that I had been classified in the eighth place so I didn’t have many possibilities, but I was completely convinced.

The event was on December 23rd. It was Saturday and the competition was in the afternoon. That day I couldn’t eat much because my stomach was jumping up and down due to the nerves.

Once I was in the swimming pool and after the training and an unbearable waiting, it was my turn. I was out of the swimming pool, behind the black start block with the number 8. I couldn’t feel anything, all my senses had disappeared. The only thing I could hear was my sister’s shouts, she was cheering me up with all her might. Suddenly, the sound of the whistle brought me back to reality. I went up the start block."On your marks! Beeeeeep". I dived into the water and all the nerves went out as soon as I touched the cold liquid. I only had one thought on my mind "Swim... come on! ...swim!!!". In the last 25 metres, I could see that I was placed fourth but a girl was near me. Then I made an extra effort and I got it. I was placed third!! I was really exhausted but I didn’t mind. I was so proud and I felt so happy. In fact I had never felt better in my life. For me, that third place was a victory.



Christmas
O.S.A

I could speak about many unforgettable childhood experiences. Most of them were in my father and mother’s village in summer. But I am going to write about a wonderful day at Christmas. It happened 20 or 25 years ago in Madrid. It was 24th December and I was in my grandparents’ house.

I remember that all the family were going to have dinner there. It was fantastic, because I liked to see all of them together, so I was very happy. Suddenly, I realized something important was missing: a Christmas tree. I started to feel sad as I thought about it. My grandfather asked me what happened and I explained. Then he quickly told me to put on a jacket because we were going to buy one. We went down the stairs and we walked towards Plaza Mayor, which was near my grandparents’ house. I felt excited. It was the most beautiful evening I have ever seen. Maybe there was a mixture of feelings inside me as well. The Christmas lights in the streets were spectacular and people seemed happier than other days. My grandfather bought a big tree.

As soon as we got back home, I decorated the Christmas tree. After that, my family began to arrive and everybody liked the nice tree. We ate a lot of food and it was a very special night for me.