Blast from the past

[vanillafluffy]

Mb and I went to return some books at the library Tuesday evening, and she told me about the plot of hers, where one of the characters was motivated by something "unfair" that happened in their childhood. It reminded me of something that happened 40-odd years ago which has bugged me all this time.

My sainted Aunt Mary took me with her on a visit to her cousin in New Jersey. I'd been there before over the years, and was acquainted with the cousin's family and had met the neighbor kids. The kids next door to the cousin had a wading pool. Just a dinky little above-ground kiddy pool, nothing fancy, but more than I had at home.

So, I was over there in the pool, and the kids who owned the pool were really possessive about sharing their pool toys. They'd let me hold one for a short minute, then demand it back. I was keenly aware of the unfairness of this; I wasn't hurting it.

The way I was raised, if I had a visitor who wanted to play with something of mine, I let them, because I could play with it any time. I guess not everyone got that message.

Yes, I can carry a grudge like nobody's business over all kinds of piddly shit.

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Comments

[thru-the-blinds.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't call it a grudge so much as a very strong memory, because it was probably the first time that happened to you?

Either way, it's a sad lesson learned. LIFE AIN'T FAIR AND PEOPLE SUCK. *nods*

[vanillafluffy.livejournal.com]

As an only child and the baby of the extended family, I *know* I was spoiled rotten, but I was also often reminded to think of things from other people's points of view, which made an impact.

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