Wes’s Childhood

 

My earliest memory would be when I was around the age of two. I was sitting in a theatre watching the Empire Strikes Back. I specifically recall the scene where the Imperial Walkers attack the Rebel base on the ice planet Hoth. Ironically I also remember my father sleeping in the theatre. I have no memory of my parents being together. My parents were divorced right after I was born. My early childhood years were spent living in a singlewide trailer in Clearwater SC (Not sure how the town got the name as the pond that is close by is anything but clear). My parents were young when they got married and my mom had me when she was 18. Though nothing was ever said directly, I suspect there was some talk as to if she should have had me at all. Needless to say I am very thankful for the life that I have. Now would be a good time to remind us all how precious every life is. As you will see my life has not been a bed of roses. Whose is? Yet I am so thankful for each and every step of it.

 

My Mom was a good mom. As she was very young and single. She struggled with many challenges. I remember when my mom would stop for gas she would always have me run into the station and pay the attendant for one DOLLAR of gas. Granted this was during the 80s when gas was around 50 to 60 cents per gallon, but you get the picture. Another memory I have is making mayonnaise sandwiches. Yep, just mayo and bread. I would never say that we were in poverty but we were definitely poor. Still all and all, I would describe my early childhood as a happy one.

 

One of my most favorite memories of all time occurred on my eighth birthday. In my town in the 80s the big huge top 40 radio station was WBBQ.  Everybody listened to it and my Mom was no exception. Each day WBBQ would announce the birthdays of the children whose listeners had submitted their names. One lucky child would be selected as the winner of the birthday prize. The winner would receive a birthday cake from Smoaks bakery (Unfortunately out of business today), a gallon of Ice Cream from the Pink Dipper (thankfully still in business), and two movie tickets to the cinema.  Apparently on my birthday that year my mom got up early to listen to the announced names and the winner of the Birthday Prize. I won! I remember my mom waking me up and she was so excited! We listened to WBBQ all day and each time they said my name as the winner my Mom expressed sheer joy.  Picture if you will the old commercials of the Publisher Clearing House winners and that can give you a visual. This is one of my most cherished memories and it reminds me of how my Mom loved me so much.

 

In closing I would leave you with this thought: Strive to passionately celebrate the people you love in your life. Celebrate the birthdays and anniversaries as they represent significant milestones for the people you love. Celebrate the triumphs and the failures. Success is great but we can’t appreciate how far we climb if we don’t understand how far we fall. Every failure carries inside of it the seeds for future success. Celebrate always.

 

This is also a good reminder to me. Till the next time.