Memories That Last Forever: Part of my Childhood Story

    My childhood was filled with special moments that I’ll always hold close to my heart. When my dad and stepmom lived in Florida, we made countless memories there. Florida felt like home to me as a young girl—my dad’s side of the family lived there, and those were some of the best years of my life. I attended all of middle school in one place, which gave me a sense of stability, but high school was split between two different schools in the state.

    One of my favorite memories is the time my dad and stepmom took us to SeaWorld and Discovery Cove, where we swam with dolphins. That was an unforgettable experience, something I still think about to this day.

    Every holiday break from school, we spent time with Aunt Sharon. Holidays were a huge part of my childhood, especially the three major ones we always spent with my Nana and Granddaddy—Easter, the Fourth of July, and Christmas. We looked forward to those moments all year long. Easter was a blast—we had a huge egg hunt followed by the Sawyer Competition egg toss, which was serious business for us kids. The Fourth of July meant French onion dip, pool activities, and endless summer fun. Another cherished tradition was decorating their Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving—a tradition we honored year after year.  And Christmas—Christmas was magical. We would dress up nicely, open presents in the morning, and then sit down to a big family dinner.

    Some of the best memories were the sleepovers at Nana and Granddaddy’s house. Those nights were filled with soap operas, helping Nana cook dinner, sitting on her bed talking before we fell asleep, laughing, and eating ice cream together. Those simple moments meant the world to me. 

    My Aunt Sharon—she spoiled us in the best way possible. She had a tradition of taking us out individually for milestone birthdays: 13 because we officially became teenagers, 16 because we could finally drive, and 18 because we were stepping into adulthood. Those outings were something special—spa days, shopping sprees, dinner at a nice restaurant—it was a day dedicated just to you and her.

    New Year’s Eve was another cherished tradition with her. We’d stay at Aunt Sharons place, make Shirley Temples, play video games like Crash Bandicoot, and watch the fireworks from her balcony. Aunt Sharon taught me how to cook, one of my favorite meals, meatloaf and mashed potatoes.  She also took us to Disney World multiple times, and she planned every trip with so much love and excitement to make sure each visit felt magical. And no, we never got tired of going!

Some of my favorite memories are the weekends spent with Aunt Sharon, where routine was set aside in favor of pure, lazy-day bliss. Those were the days when the beds remained unmade, pajamas stayed on, and the only agenda was to lounge, laugh, and enjoy each other’s company. We'd spend hours watching TV, battling it out in video games, or just having heartwarming conversations that filled the room with laughter. There was no urgency—just the easy comfort of being present with someone who made time feel soft and unhurried.

Looking back, it wasn’t the structure or the planned activities that mattered most. It was those unplanned, carefree moments—the ones where joy existed simply in being together.

    Even though my life came with its share of trauma, these memories are the ones that shine through—the moments that remind me of the happiness and love that surrounded me in that moment.



                    








                

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        


   









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