Three and Twenty-One: There to Here
By William Lechner
Perhaps the earliest memory that can be recalled is only a brief one. However, even if it is false, I remember several physical details or sensations. My biological father and I were out on a trip to an animal store, probably a petting zoo. I can recall this memory in detail instantly and strangely it gives me some comfort. It was a room which I would estimate to be no larger than thirty feet, most likely shaped squarely. There was an overall dim ambience from the lowly lit ceiling lights. The reason I remember that part so well, is because the overall compliment to the surrondings it provided. There was straw on the ground and wooden stalls for the animals. Flashes of walking to this room with the old man and my father also sometimes come to me, but they are not solid. Somehow, these details are much easier to remember when combined. I remember my father buying the goat and leading it out. Slightly scared of it at the time, it would become the first animal to almost terrify me, until it was gotten rid of due to homeowner's association rules. Cocoa was her name, and she was anything but loveable for me. That is a different memory though.
Cocoa had the most vibrant dark chocolate coat. She was a small goat, only slightly larger than me. Now that I think of it, she may have belonged to my older sister. Whatever the exact situation was, it isn't why I remember it. Along with it being the first animal we had, or pet if you could call it that, it always harassed me. Often she would headbutt me, sometimes almost into our two to three foot high chain-link fence. Though most of time she would just chase me and I would have to hide whenever she was roaming our small yard. However, I remember the less traumatic times . Maybe it's not that traumatic, but for a three year old an exception is allowable. I think the main reason I remember this is quite simple. That is, whenever I would be assaulted by this animal, my siblings would wait before they responded.My father always had an almost unnatural liking for goats, though that didn't mean he always treated them as pets. Why, I'll never know nor could I understand. Although it didn't happen because protest of my mother and lack of practicality, he sometimes considered about housing them where we lived, a few years after Cocoa. I believe this thought arose on more than a couple of occasions. Needless to say, more goats were to come further on in my life although they wouldn't have as big of an impact on my mind. That is because there were other things to remember as I became bigger.
The next available recollection of mine is one that includes my mother. More brief and vague than my first, I recall quite few details. Four years old at this time, I was being punished for something. Maybe one of the reasons I remember this so distinctly is that I was crying or screaming uncontrollably. Acting out was my offense and it was late at night, so I was sent to bed. For any extra details, I can simply recall possibly being spanked, as it was customary discipline from my mother. I guess that wasn't a bad thing, because it was the precious little discipline I remember getting. No, that's incorrect. Mind me, I did receive discipline. A more proper take on it, that discipline was part of the guidance I seldom received. Being of a free spirit or more precisely, mind, was my nature. Now, I don't look back on this with any bitterness, for several reasons which will be discussed later. But, everything must be explored for an inclusive description and possibly for posterity's sake.
Another two memories of mine are both equally short and distinct, but they share some things. Mainly, it feels like the date was roughly around the same. Also, they both share a key aspect of food. One memory, has to do with limburger cheese. I always remember my father loved limburger cheese. Me being very young at the time, also wanted to eat it. Come to think of it, I've never was a choosy eater. I remember the cheese tasted very good and I ate it on several occasions. Also, it had a creamy texture and consistancy and once or twice I had a special treat of crackers with it. However, I also remember throwing up from it's pungent smell, which at the time seemed akin to wet socks and rotten eggs combined. I believe there may be a few reasons why I can remember this so well. First, you simply don't forget limburger cheese. Second, throughout my early years cheese was a rarity. After the limburger incidents, I can only recall having cheese once in the next five years. Of course I did have it, but apparently not enough to make an impact.
The second of these small memories, does infact also involve food. Well, sort of. My father had a penchant for attracting strange and downright dangerous people during the years I was maturing. Maybe not strange though, possibly just not 'the cream of the crop'. Case in point, there was a friend named "Don" of my father's. Often, he would come over and watch or play a computer of ours with my father. On this particular occasion Don had just sat down in one of our gray metal chairs. Almost instantly I blurted out to my father "Dad the fat man is going to break the chair". My father thought my warning was funny, getting his signature grin of amusement. Don was a bit surprised and shocked and tried to conceal it with an attitude of humor. It wasn't enough to make him follow a weight regimen though. However, equally as important was the constant bringing up of this incident throughout my younger years. One of my older brothers was always appreciably amused and would laugh a great deal about it in years to come. Throughout my younger years he was always retelling and recalling it, as he was there when it happened. It's said "kids say the darndest things" and in this case I was no exception, even if what I said seemed like gospel truth. Now, what does this memory have to do with food? Well, the guy was severely overweight, probably obesely so.
Don - "Dad the fat guy is going to break the chair"
Gaming system that was hooked up to the television, construction - Afterwards, while still a young child remembering how wonderful the game was, or seemed.
Another game, a fire rescue one, always gave me a sense of urgency.
Cat version of "Go Fish", computer, and father taking it, his sheepish yet authoritative tone- I always tried to trick the cat yet he was always right
Magical Moments:
#1 - Before "Go Fish" remembrance, "legos into the light"
#2 - After others, standing on drop down edge next to cabin, and feeling a total sense of flying at the time.
Microwave noodles that were cooked without a microwave, and my overdoing the pepper.
Siblings 'Jesus' 'Turn the other cheek moment', knife,
I was extremely anxious to tell him about my progress and for a few years afterwards that was something that haunted me.
"When the Legends Die" - Book
1. Give a general description of your childhood; what was life like for you?
2. What are your very earliest memories?
3. Describe any childhood ailments or injuries you had.
4. What was family life like as a child? How did you feel you fit into your family?
5. Describe your favorite toy. What did it look like? How did it feel?
6. Describe your favorite books growing up. What made them special to you?
7. Describe your favorite game growing up. +
8. Describe a specific school memory from your elementary years.
9. Write about your best friend as a child and the experiences you had together. What has happened to that friendship since childhood?
10. Describe your nemesis growing up. Who made your life miserable and what did they do to make it so rough?
11. Describe your favorite foods as a child. What did you eat then that you no longer eat?
12. What was the biggest trouble you got into as a child? Describe what you did or didnt do to deserve what happened to you.
13. What was your greatest childhood accomplishment? How did it make you feel? What influence do you think it has had on your life since?
14. Describe what you did or where went as a child when you wanted to feel safe.
15. Describe your personality as a child. In what ways has it changed as youve gotten older? In what ways has it stayed the same?
16. Describe what your parents were like when you were a child. What was your relationship like with them? How has your opinion of your parents changed as youve grown older?
17. What other relatives besides your immediate family do you remember as a child? Describe your most interesting relative.
18. Describe something that people would be surprised to know about your childhood.
19. Describe some of the cultural influences in your childhood such as music, television, movies, plays, art or writing.
20. Describe the home you grew up in. If you lived in several different homes, describe one or discuss the reasons for the frequent moves. Were you moving up or working your way down?
21. Describe a family vacation. Where did you go? Why did you go there? What did you do? How did you travel?