This is a different kind of post today. This is the first installation in a three part miniseries where we’ll share some memorable moments in our lives.
However, we’d like to do more than just stroll down memory lane. We’d also like to recognize some of you, our readers, who we’ve connected with since entering the world of blogging. For the next three posts, we’ll be sharing stories from different stages of our lives, and at the same time we’ll be recognizing some blogs that we love and follow that also share some of these same types of stories and experiences…….well at least in some way. We took some liberties of course.
So here we go. Let’s start with the early years. A first person account.
In first grade I knew I was going to be a baseball player. I knew it in my bones and I knew it in my mind. And if you stood close enough to me, you could smell the scent of leather, dirt and grass oozing from my pores.
But I wanted to show the world how much I loved it. So I begged my parents to buy me a baseball uniform. When my Cleveland Indians uniform arrived in the mail, I was in heaven. I had never seen something so beautiful….well except in those magazines I used to find in the attic….. but I digress…….I ripped off the packaging and immediately put in on, and like some strange hermetic seal, it bonded with my body.
In fact, and this is the complete truth, I wore that baseball uniform to school every day! I mean, every day in first grade! I was so serious about this that I would hide the uniform in my bottom drawer of my dresser on the weekends, for fear that if I put it in the dirty clothes bin, it would not be washed and ready for school on Monday.
Of course for some reason I never noticed that all the grass and dirt stains were gone come every Monday. My mom later told me that she used to sneak in and grab the uniform and wash it every weekend, and then put it back. That’s very funny to think about now.
But looking back I’m amazed that my parents actually let me wear that uniform every day. I mean, what did the other parents think? Did they have to endure the stares and recriminations of other parents at the school? Or maybe they just didn’t give a shit. Good for them I say if that’s the case.
So I think about that uniform and wish I still had it today. It represented unbridled love, passion, and all the possibilities life had in store for me. But if I close my eyes, I can still feel every fiber of that uniform even today. And it’s a good reminder to me, that every day brings new moments to cherish, and new possibilities. And as I smile, remembering, a few layers of stress fall away, still smelling like baseball.
So now we’d like to recognize some of the blogs that recount stories of childhood, or give us insight into the world of parenting. Or, maybe just other blogs about personal experiences.Check these great sites out!
(And remember, in the next two posts to come, we’ll have more sites for you to explore. We won’t forget our loyal readers and fellow bloggers. But there’s a lot of you that we love, so be patient! Enjoy!)
Next Post: Life in the world of Dating and Relationships
…… and more blogs THE GUYS love and follow!
Thanks for the love, GUYS!
Loved the baseball uniform story. I had something like that when I was in 7th or 8th grade… We spent our entire summers at the community pool. I had this red and white striped Speedo (hey, lots of people wore Speedos back then) that I never took off. I practically wore it as underwear.
It didn’t seem like too much of an issue until I did take them off and noticed that the constant wear resulted in red stripes on my ass.
Wow by your description that is a very vivid and strong memory from your childhood. How neat that your parents let you wear it every day to school and how your mom sneaked in and washed it for you with out you knowing. It didn’t matter what the other parents thought your parents wanted you to hold on to something that could be possible as it was something you were passionate about. Hope you have a great weekend.
Thank you!! I have to come into an inheritance or something because I now want to sit down and read every one of those blogs. I’m compulsive like that. If I like an author, I’ll try to read everything they’ve written.
Melinda of Melindaville is very sweet – we’ve corresponded once or twice. I was talking about how I get her Google alerts along with mine because we’re both – wait for it – Melina Roberts.
Your post made me try to think of a childhood memory. And what comes to mind is cuddling and petting my kitty, my “Princess” every morning. I wouldn’t care that my clothes would be covered in cat hair. And I’d always get questioned “What is all over your hands? What happened!?” It was what seemed like hundreds of cat scratches on my hands from just playing with my kitty. They were always there. One would heal & I’d get another. It never bothered me, but just reminded me of how much fun I had with my unconditional love, my childhood cat. If I look carefully, I can still make out a scar or two, and it makes me smile, just thinking of the love between my child-self & her pet.
Your mother was brave to let you wear that uniform everyday. Not sure what went through her head, but I know I make my kids change their clothes everyday. Totally for the sake of “that is what we are supposed to do”. Perhaps after reading the comments to follow, I’ll have another outlook. Thanks for posting this baseball GUY! What a fabulous memory!
Thanks so much for the plug!
I went to my first baseball game in 2001–right after meeting my husband, who is a lifelong Red Sox fan. He had (and still has) season tickets to Fenway Park. The first game I ever went to was a Sox/Yankees game. Manny Ramirez hit the game winning hit in the bottom of the 10th (or perhaps the 11th) and Fenway Park erupted. I fell in love with baseball and with the passion of this particular fanbase. And now I am more of a baseball maniac than my husband is!
I loved reading your story about your first love. I could feel the passion in your words.
Melinda
It’s always a good thing to sit back and recall good memories in your childhood, often it can give you ideas as to what you can do for those you love who are growing up so quicly around you..
This is always such a fun blog to visit..never know what I’m going to find when I come by.
And thanks for giving us mention on your blog sharing is always a good thing.
My best,
Dorothy from grammology
grammology.com
As always, an amusing and wonderful post. I loved it! I also know of what you speak. Apparently, after dressing up as a clown for Halloween when I was five years old, following the holiday I wouldn’t relinquish said costume. LOL! I’ve seen home movies of me in the clown outfit, and I looked pretty pleased with myself. Needless to say, I wore the costume to Kindergarten for about two weeks. Like you, I always wondered why my parents allowed this, and thought how embarrassing for them when they dropped me off at the class each day. I assumed they didn’t give a shit…as you came to conclude!
Thanks for a wonderful post, and thanks for mentioning my blog “Always Musing,” in your roster. I am honored. Thank you!
P.S. I did grow up to be voted “Class Clown” in High School. I think that costume represented life possibilities to me as well.
Awwww! ZOMG. Thank you so much for the mention. I am truly flattered!
Thanks for the shout out!. I love this story and I can picture a little boy wearing that uniform with love. Your mom was a great lady to do that for you.
Do you still have the uniform? Have you ever considered getting another one?
Hi guys!
This is a beautiful story. It reminds me of my student who wore his pajamas to school everyday throughout the entire school year – even in winter. Nothing was ever said to the child nor his mother about his constant wearing of those clothes. The other students didn’t care nor did they seem to notice. I knew – as well as all of the other adults – this was a little boy who loved his pajamas and we let it go. That child was allowed to be himself and he was the happiest student I’ve ever had in all my years of teaching. Only the best of moms allow their children that amount of freedom.
I can’t tell you how happy I am to have found you guys. The stories here are great and I enjoy them immensely. Thank you for the lovely comments left on both of my blogs. I love each of you and I am very grateful for the ‘props’ given to Moe Daily.
Thanks a lot guys.
Love,
Diane
@Diana……….now THAT is a beautiful story! Love that kids are not self-conscious. Wish I were still that way. You’re welcome! And thank you for being part of our “Family!”
@Jen……..Uniform is long gone…..probably disintegrated and the dust is probably part of some infield somewhere. I have other uniforms that I wear. But only in the bedroom! (Just kidding….)
@Meleah Rebeccah……..You’re welcome. Glad we’re connected!
@Cathy……..You, class clown? NO!!??
Actually, I can totally see it. Even when you’re being serious, or writing about a serious topic, you still seem to be able to inject humor into it. And thanks to you for being a friend of THE GUYS!
@Dorothy…..you are right. The past can inform us, and HOPEFULLY help us with the present. Thanks for all your great comments!
@Melinda…….the question is, Are you still a Sox fan? We are die hard Sox fans. Fenway is the coolest place to see a game. Yes, the passion for baseball and sports hasn’t left. Thanks for visiting us!
@GoGo……….Thanks! It’s fun to think back to all those treasured moments of childhood. The ones you didn’t even realize would be treasured later. Like the teachers you keep in touch with that you weren’t sure about when you were in their class. Thanks for all your comments and support!
@Mindy……..Yes, there are some great blogs here. Yours included!! Thanks for joining our “Family!” We’ve enjoyed your comments.
@Stacie…….yes you’re right. I don’t give them enough credit sometimes, but they did the best they could, just as I’m trying to do. Parenting is the hardest job on this planet! Thanks for your comments.
@Bluzdude……OMG! Speedos……the horror…….so funny! Thanks for all your comments and support!
Thanks for the props Guys!! I am so flattered!
That baseball uniform story is too cute. I had a favorite sweatshirt in junior high that I wore all the time but I didn’t have quite the bonding relationship with it that you had with your uniform. I bet you were an adorable kid.
Have a great weekend!
Raven
Um, am I still welcome if I grew up on the North Side? We could see Wrigley Field from Grandma’s kitchen window.
I’m surprised they let you wear that uniform every day, too. Wow, you must have really loved baseball from the start -not to mention the Cleveland Indians. Sounds kinda like me, wearing a Batman costume every where I went for several years. When I was a kid… not now. LOL
Thanks a lot for putting the Psycho Carnival link on this post and your blogroll. You GUYS are a great bunch with great heart and PERSPECTIVE. Take care!
GUYS!!!
Thanks so much for the love and I always appreciate your comments on my blog! It’s nice to be appreciated.:)
Your story set me to thinking about something I treasured when I was growing up. I had a blanket when I was very little that I used to carry everywhere along with a teddy bear.:) I was like Linus. I loved my blanket because it had such a special smell and it comforted me. I dragged it around everywhere with me and I can imagine what it looked like. I slept with it so my mother could never get it away from me. But one day she managed to wash it and even before she told me I knew. The special smell was gone. I think that was the first time I ever truly hated my mother.:) It took me a long time to forgive her. I guess I was about 4 at the time. I can imagine how your mother must have sneaked in while you were asleep and grabbed that uniform. She was pretty special!!
This is a first GUYS! I’m writing from my new place and yours is the first blog that is getting a comment. You totally deserve it.:) You GUYS are the best!!!
Barbara
Barbara’s Meanderings
@Raven…….You’re welcome. Love being connected to you.
@Mindy……..Of course you’re welcome!! That’s a pretty cool view. Probably saved a bunch of money on tickets too!!
@Kelly……..Now that’s a sight to see….you running around in tights with a cape! Of course, that’s what being a kid is all about. Innocence and passion. It’s been nice getting to know you. And yes, you are one of THE GUYS too!
@Barbara……..WOW! We feel honored! Truly! Your blanket story is a sad one in some ways and happy one in others. It sounds like your mother was only trying to help, but instead she made a mess out of the situation. Ahh, the smell of worn blankets!! So wonderful! We’re glad you’re happy in your new place. Love reading your stuff and being part of your blogging family.
So what you’re BASICALLY trying to relay to us is that you were the SMELLY kid that no one talked to or sat by at lunch…. That’s fucking awesome!
No really, you GUYS know I rarely get serious. These somewhat ‘thoughtful’ moments are extremely damn sparse and should be relished by all! This was a great post, I really loved it. That’s it, don’t get used to it. I have to submit IMMEDIATELY before I delete my decent and VERY UN-Crazy Brunette-like comment!
Ooooh, and thanks for recognizing that I’m fucking badass GUYS!
That’s fabulous! Wearing your baseball uniform to school every day. Better than pretending you were sick and playing hooky every day like I did.
@Ashley……we secretly knew that about you, but we promise NOT to get used to it!
We like all of your different sides.
@nothing profound……..we wish we had played hooky more. We wouldn’t have missed much that’s for sure, especially in the older grades.
This was a great piece of nostalgia, Guys. My brother was very much the same with his baseball uniform. And you brought back another memory. He used to bounce a ball off the side of the house for hours at a time just to practice catching. He was a shot-stop and really good. Thanks for the sweet recall of good times.
Thanks for the mention. I’m trying to think if I had anything similar to the baseball uniform. The closest thing I can think of are my Wonder Woman underoos, but of course I never wore them in public. Other than that, I had this pink pair of loafers in the third grade that I wore every day until I got athlete’s foot at girl scout camp. I think my mom was glad I got athlete’s foot because it finally gave her an excuse to throw my smelly pink shoes away. Now that I think about it, I have a pink pair of loafers now. I just don’t wear them that much because they’re so pink, they hardly match anything but I’m guessing I must have been subconsciously thinking about the 3rd grade shoes when I bought them.
Love Your story it took me down memory lane and I didn’t have to think too hard I guess that’s good., And just the thot of being able to cherish everyday with new possibilities is magical.. Thanks for writing
@askcherlock……….practice makes perfect…or almost perfect. The ball against the house sounds familiar! Stay tuned later this week. We’ll be plugging your site too. Thanks as always!
@Staci…….your welcome………we love pink! But athlete’s foot? Damn!!
@Fatima……..thanks. We’ll be plugging your site later today on our second post of the miniseries.
Thank you so incredibly much for the mention. It means a lot no matter what the circumstances, but in this case, even more so because it’s coming from you guys and it’s tied to this awesome childhood story. I love it!
“So I think about that uniform and wish…”
~Bonnie
How adorable! Match tells me stories about this horribly ratty pair of sweatpants he had that he wore every single day. His mom had to sew patches on the knees because he wore them out!
I love that you were so into the uniform. If you think about it, I bet you have a favorite piece of clothing you wear a lot. Maybe not every day… 
I think you have great parents too; to allow you to wear that baseball uniform everyday to school. Most parents wouldn’t allow their children to do that for sure. And not to mention how your mother had so lovingly made sure that she had it washed every weekend without your knowledge so that came Monday you would have a clean uniform to put on. Unconditional acceptance and love.
What a sweet story!
Thanks, men!
Hey you Guys!
Thanks so much for the props…and the cute story! I love it when you say, “…I smile, remembering, a few layers of stress fall away, still smelling like baseball.” Isn’t it funny how a simple memory can wash away the years? Can take us back, instantly lower our blood pressure, relax our muscles, bring a slight smile perhaps to our faces? Maybe a tear to our eyes?
I’ll have a little trouble looking at a little boy’s baseball uniform without thinking of this post here on out. And without smiling a bit.
Oh I really enjoyed this post!!! Its fun to think back to childhood years and the things we treasured! Also I look forward to reading some of the listed blogs