Imagine–It was My Childhood

Sunset Swiftly Becoming Twilight

Many of my posts have been about living on the farm back in the 50s and 60s; trying to relay to my few readers the joy and contentment of my childhood.  I saw this photograph on Facebook recently and for some reason this picture sums up all that is in my heart.  Maybe if you use your imagination, you can feel my contentment. 

Imagine a gentler time, no cars honking, no sirens blaring; just the peaceful end to a perfect fall day.

  Imagine the sun setting just like that photo.

Imagine the changing fall colors of the oak trees.

Imagine the grassy aroma of the dry dusty grass at summer’s end.

Now, imagine five little children driving the cattle back to the barn.

Imagine the cows meandering through the meadow, tails swishing over their backs, mooing softly.  

Imagine the voices of these children, perhaps singing, their breath steaming in the cool evening air; their faces red from the cold.

Imagine the sunset slowing descending in the West. 

Imagine  the eerie twilight creeping in. 

Imagine children running to the back door—slightly, only slightly, fearful of the coming darkness.

Their chores are done.  Soon they will be inside doing homework and maybe watching a little television.

Now imagine these five children in their homemade flannel pajamas and nightgowns  safely tucked in their beds—safe and sound! 

Imagine this bucolic scene.  Imagine this as your childhood.  It was mine!

Many thanks to Brett Day for the use of his lovely photo.  It was taken on Kathleen Hecker’s farm recently.  While this photo is not of my family’s farm, the picture was uncannily similar.  Thank you, Brett, for permission to use your photo and thanks for the memories.