Over the past month or so, I have been going to my grandmothers home and taking images of things and places that I remember very vividly from when I was young. I was the youngest of 5 grandchildren so of course I was the one that everyone tormented. What is funny is that the places that I have the most memories of are the places where I almost died numerous times. I don’t really recall what led up to these events happening and I don’t really recall what happened afterward but I do remember the moment where I felt the most pain. All I can say is that I’m lucky to have lived these 22 years. The images below won’t really mean much unless I kinda narrate the story. I hope you enjoy.
Below is well-house that is beside of “Nanny’s” home. The lock for the door is of course on the outside which makes for a great prison. My older brother and cousins would invite me to come in and then sprint outside and close the door behind them, locking me in. For hours. At least they brought me chicken nuggets.
On the backside of the well-house was this random pile of wood. I was told to jump in… from the top of the building.
I did it. Numerous times.
Have you ever read Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Pit and Pendulum?” I cringed when I read that poem in High School because it reminded me of the day that my family erected this wonderful tire swing. To assure everyone that the rope would hold, my brother made me lay down underneath the swing. It was of course a fail proof plan.
My grandmothers home was heated by oil. When you would hit the oil drum with a stick, it would make a neat “gong” sound. My brother tried to tell me that the drum would sound like a lion if you rode your bike into it.
I heard no lion.
I don’t post these comments and images to make people feel sorry for me or anything. I post them because I love them. Looking back on everything, I had an amazing childhood that created great relationships with my family members. I would gladly lay under that tire swing any day for them.
Recollection: Part 2 coming soon.
Tags: black and white, brother, cousins, family, focus, grandmother, large format, memory, near death experience, pain, shift, swing, tilt, torture
Adam, this is great! I wait with anticipation for the next installment. You are a very interesting and entertaining young man so it only makes sense that you were a interesting and entertaining child. Casey must know that her life with you will be far from dull.
Love ya,
Tammy