So as I sit here in my room and think about putting my life out here on the internet to share with you, everything I have done since I was a kid and how I became who I am today.
Well, I was not always so at peace in life. As in anybody else's life, there have been many ups and downs along the way (more downs) but I can proudly say that everything I have experienced has been a true blessing as it's made me the person I am today.
I am the only child and for the record, I have always wanted and dreamed of a large family. Live in a house that is loud crazy and chaotic. I call this noise the background music of my life. I always envy my friends who have siblings and relatives and I wonder how it would feel to have an aunt, uncle, grandpa, grandma, cousin, nephew, big brother, sister, and lots of drama!
To reiterate, my dad was a French man who came down to India and settled down as a Hotelier. He died in his sleep from a heart attack when I was in 5th grade, my mom never remarried, and never really wanted to. She raised me all on her own and did an amazing job. She got a job and gave me a life just as good as anyone with a mom and a dad.
The village was called Kottakuppam (Serenity) near a few kilometers from the beach town Pondicherry. My early childhood was spent there, I remember, it was the most beautiful place I have ever lived in my childhood or maybe my whole life! The village was very remote crowded with neem, coconut, and mango trees. I can still feel the chill of the beach breeze in my memory. My dad and I used to go to the beach, no matter what time of the day or night, we used to walk a lot, I had the most memorable long walk of my life in the midnight. If you ask me what is your favorite memory with your dad? I would say, I have so many, it's absolutely impossible to say which is the best.
Regardless of the weather, my dinner time was at 7:30 PM and my bed was 9.00 PM. Eating out at a restaurant was a huge deal, that only really happened when it was a birthday or a very special occasion.
I took my school clothes off as soon as I got home and put on my home clothes. There was no dropping or picking me up in the car. I either boarded the local crowded bus or rode my bicycle or walked or the local shared rickshaw. I got home and did my chores and my homework before dinner.
I didn't have Amazon Prime or Netflix or Stan, I had only 1 channel to watch. I played Hide & Seek, Goli Gundu, Kittipul, ( a popular game of Indian villages ), and any other games we could come up with...I wasn't afraid of anything. I used to play till dark and sunset was my alarm...staying in the house was a PUNISHMENT.
I enjoyed going to local grocery shops and candy used to be a couple of paise. Bottled water was a luxury, I drank from the tap. I watched my mouth around our elders and our parents' best friends since I didn't want them to tell my parents if I misbehaved!
Those were the good days and I am sure so many kids today will never know how it feels to be a real kid. I loved my childhood and all the friends I hung around with!
Things were simple during the 1980s..simpler without so much modern technology. People used to work and spend their leisure time with family and friends. Many people who grew up in the 1980s are nostalgic for a childhood with lots of unstructured time and no social media.
I am sharing pictures converted to video from old times ..these are not from Google but real pictures captured real-time :-)
the journey continues ......
I am really happy to read your article... Interesting marie😊