Growing Up

Written for https://pensitivity101.wordpress.com/2024/08/26/share-your-world-26th-august/

1. Did you have an imaginary friend? No. I was mates with my neighbours’ younger kids. I would be round theirs, taking my blue bag of Cindy dolls, outfits, and furniture. Their collection was far bigger; which included a loft full of unboxed toys. He even converted his pigeon loft to a two roomed play house. As a street we all played outside. We watch out for each other, and my older neighbour (by a couple of years) saved me from getting in a stranger’s car.
2.  Did you collect anything specific: comics, baseball cards, teddy bears?I kept all my comics, from edition one. I read Jacky, Whoopee, and Misty. When I was a teenager; not realising they could be worth something, I donated them to my local hospital. For the children’s ward. Years before, Mum gave all my teddies to the same place-without my permission.
3.  Were you a boy scout/brownie/girl guide?I was a girl guide for a month. I remember earning the First Aid badge for showing what you do when you cut yourself on smashed glass. Wouldn’t let me help as an adult, I struggle to know what to do. Also, we went ice-skating. I stopped because the skirts were too itchy.
4. Were you more likely to be with a group of friends or on your own as a child? Up to the age of eleven, I was on my own. Children didn’t speak to me because a couple of boys (bullies) told stories about me. Some believed them, and the rest, too scared, would look the other way when they called me names. When I started secondary, I met my bestie Theresa. She sat on the railings, and I wanted to stop feeling lonely. Not sure how I found the confidence, but we instantly became mates. We remain, sisters, for forty-six years. We might not talk every day, but when we do, we have plenty to catch up on.