Originally published in print, December 2021
Art by Linde Vergeylen.
The simplicity of childhood is one of the most wonderful things in this world. When I look back on my younger years, it seems almost impossible that I had so little worry and my main concern was having fun. “Having fun” as a child didn’t have to consist of anything major – instead it was the little things; a walk in the park, crunching leaves, splashing in puddles, seeing who could swing higher on the swing, or who could run faster. It was all very ordinary, but life was filled with peace yet excitement. It fills me with nostalgia when I think about it for too long and realise I cannot return. However, I’m lucky to still have one of my favourite childhood places which allows me to bask in those sweet memories of childhood; my grandparents’ house.
As an outsider, my grandparents’ house is just another countryside bungalow. Much like childhood, it is all very ordinary, however it’s the memories that were made there which make it so special. The feeling I get when I visit my grandparents’ house is one of complete safety, like nothing bad could ever happen to me when I’m there. My grandparents create such a homely atmosphere, I wouldn’t even have my foot in the door and they would already be offering me whatever biscuits they bought in this week’s shopping, with the kettle whirring in the background ready for a pot of tea. Being in the heart of rural Ireland, the house is naturally quiet with very little going on around it. It’s a peaceful place filled with laughter, chatter and love. It’s an old house, where my Mom and her siblings grew up. This house means something different to each family member, to me it means safety, nostalgia, love and warmth.
My grandad is the very definition of a man with green fingers. His garden is his pride and joy. There is an apple tree in the garden which was the ultimate climbing frame as a child. We would have competitions to see who could climb highest and quickest. This act was ruining our poor grandad Joe’s apple tree that he put so much work and effort into, however he never once said a bad word to us once we helped him gather up all the apples we had knocked down in our adventures so they wouldn’t rot. Granny would then make an apple tart out of them. I remember feeling like I was on top of the world when I climbed that apple tree, even though it was only a couple of metres tall. Childhood imagination made it feel like I was climbing the tallest tree in an exotic jungle.
These fond memories of sunny days playing tip the can with my cousins around our grandparents’ garden are ones that I didn’t realise I would remember forever. Often in childhood you’re making memories without realising they’re shaping you into the person you’ll grow up to be. I know the lessons of trust, patience, love, and care which I became familiar with at my grandparents’ house are some of the strongest values I have today. Those days at that old, quiet house helped me grow to this day. The best thing about it is that I’ll always have the memories.
