Hopscotch Then and Now
courtesy of Wikipedia
As I was walking around the block today I saw a hopscotch drawing in front of a neighbor’s house. I was sure it was the artistry of one of his grandkids.
Photo by Karen
Immediately my mind delivered a memory from my childhood. Grandpa Gerald working in his Victory Garden–a remnant of WWII–while my friends and I hopped from one square to another on our handmade Hopscotch till we landed at the top, which we labeled HEAVEN.
What fun to recall those special days. It brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my lips.
Then I thought of “Red Rover” and “Mother, May I?” and jump rope and ‘jacks,’ other outdoor games I played with friends, and then decades later with my children, grandchildren, and now my great grandson.
How carefree and lovely the days of our childhoods. Today as an older woman I treasure the memory of those sweet hours outdoors after school and on weekends till Mom called us in for dinner. No screens. No mobile phones, nothing but playful fun.
I’m aware that not everyone has such memories and many have memories that left hurt and pain so I am especially thankful for those I have.
“All your children shall be taught by the Lord,
and great shall be the peace of your children.” Is. 54:13
My dear grandpa read the Bible everyday and I remember lingering outside his bedroom door watching him intent on every page. Little did I know then how much his faith would take root in me and hold me steady through the challenges of life to come. Oh how I loved him.
Dear Karen,
What a beautiful memories you shared. It touches my heart deeply to read this and I know we are truly blessed to have memories like those.
Love you.
sandy
Thanks, Sandy. Glad you have precious childhood memories too.
Love your memories. Especially the one of you watching your Grandpa reading his Bible. Such an impact they make on our lives—as you are doing with your children, grandchildren and great-grandson.
Thanks, Heidi. How blessed we are to have had loving grandparents of faith.
Thank you for sharing these memories🤍
What fun it is to hear from you. I loved our visit in Avalon. You are such a blessing to me.
Beautiful and sweet memories, Karen. I feel blessed in the same ways and am so grateful. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading, Judy. I hope you are well and thriving. It’s always great to hear from you.
When we were kids we could play outside for hours without adults watching us all the time. Thanks for the memories.
Janet, wonderful to hear from you and to learn that we share some of the same treasured memories from childhood.
Your childhood brought back memories of mine! I remember using small wet rags that we threw on the numbers of hopscotch. We also had many different motions throwing and catching a ball against the side of our house (good exercise). We had hours of fun cutting out and playing with paper dolls. And if it rained we played monopoly, and continued by shoving the board under the bed ready for the next day. We didn’t miss not having a TV because we always had a stack of books from the library to read. I love those memories!
Joan, these are precious memories that remind me of similar ones in my life–paper dolls, playing ball and Monopoly. And my sister and I and two friends loved to play ‘house’ with our favorite dolls. No TV in our home till I was in 8th grade. Looking back, I’m grateful for that.
I can’t say I had a grandpa who read the Bible everyday, but I sure remember hopscotch and teasing my sisters when they played … because they never asked me to join in, lol.
Great hearing from you, Simon. What a fun memory about your sisters and hopscotch.
Your Irish Catholic granddad read the Bible? That’s amazing to me. I didn’t know that. I would have thought he’d read the catechism. Very cool.
Julie
Yes, it was the Bible. I believe there was a bible in his family home and he never let go of it. It seems odd to me now that he never invited me into his room to show me or tell me about it. I wish he had.
I love your memories and I have so many like yours! We also felt safe playing after dark down the street or on the next block. I sometimes wonder what our children will remember? I am all for the new ways we can stay in touch with each other but when I see so many young children and teenagers stay glued to their cell phones, etc. I find myself hurting for them when they get older and wonder if they will know what their friends looked like when they were young. We might encourage them by telling them our memories.
Thanks, Karen, for sharing good memories. Blessings to all, Margaret
Thanks, Margaret, for sharing your tender memories of childhood so similar to mine and that of others. I’m sure you and Charles would have fun talking about life in Paducah in the good old days. He loved them.
Precious memories, Karen, I too remember hopscotch, jacks,Mother May I, and other childhood games. Sweet times of remembrance. And I love hearing about your grandfather and how his faith has rooted in your own life.. thanks for sharing this!
Thanks, Carol. It’s fun to hear we’ve enjoyed similar memories of treasured childhood games.😉
Great memories Karen…some I share!
But, I have to know. Did you do skip through a pass on the hopscotch squares? I pictured you looking left and right while going for it! Lol.
Made me giggle! Not too late if you didn’t. 😊👍
🌸Smiles, BRC
Hi Beth. No, I didn’t skip a pass. I was a rule follower always!! 😊
We used to use blankets over the slide and bushes and make tents outside!
What a cute memory, Kristi. I remember doing something like that too.