Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Memories of a Child


During a meeting at work today I was struck with a memory from my childhood. It started with a smell, and then the vision slowly appeared.

I remember one of my parents, taking the three of us kids to a very busy pool on a very hot day. The smell was of sunscreen, and chlorine. It's hard to get that combo just right. Where one does not over power the other.

I cannot recall how old I was in the memory, but I see myself with arm floaties, so it must have been early. I remember there being a lot of other kids, and I was never a comfortable child around other kids. I had extreme anxiety that I think I hid well from my parents.
I was also secretly miserable after playing in a pool. My skin never felt right until I was brought home and showered. Still doesn't.