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Friday, October 2, 2015

Of Swans, Ducklings, and Childhood

http://kathleenriceadams.com/

Growing up a military brat is an unusual experience…or used to be, during the Cold War. Back then, the U.S. armed forces didn’t station soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines in one place very long. In my family’s case, we never lived anywhere longer than about a year. Often, we stayed at a new duty station only long enough to unpack. Sometimes, we didn’t get that far.

I suppose such a temporary life seems like a hardship to some people, but when it’s the only life you know…it’s the only life you know. What seemed odd to my siblings and me was that everyone else didn’t move at the drop of a hat.

I learned a lot bouncing from one side of the country to the other and back again as a child. Even if I could, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Well, maybe I’d change one thing.

That one thing made an enormous impression on me. I can still see the details as clearly today as I did when I was twelve years old. A single moment frozen in time — the moment when I realized life can throw anyone a curve — is the subject of “As Lovely as They,” my contribution to Sundown Press’s new release, Memories from Maple Street, U.S.A.: Leaving Childhood Behind.

The title of the story is from Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Ugly Duckling”: Could he ever forget those beautiful, happy birds? …He was not envious of these beautiful creatures, but wished to be as lovely as they.

http://amzn.to/1GmmRsF
Leaving Childhood Behind is a wonderful book, and I don’t say that because it includes something I wrote. The seventeen authors who contributed to the volume all told brief, magical stories about a seminal moment woven into the fabric that makes them who they are. Some are poignant, some are inspirational, and some are laugh-out-loud funny. All are unforgettable. I hope you’ll give the book a try.

Memories from Maple Street, U.S.A.: Leaving Childhood Behind is the first in a series of books to be published by Sundown Press, an imprint of Prairie Rose Publications. The next is The Best Christmas Ever! Deadline for that one is November 1, with release in December.

Future volumes include Pawprints on My Heart, I Pledge Allegiance, and Trick or Treat! Information about submissions and release dates is available at PrairieRosePublications.com.

Was there a moment in your childhood when life tapped you on the shoulder and whispered “it’s time to grow up now”? Tell us about it in the comments. We’d love to hear your story.




11 comments:

  1. Stories of growing up, of dreams found and lost. Sharing them keeps them alive and we never truly have to disappear. Looking forward to all of the gifts that the authors are giving to us. Doris

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    1. It really is a good book, Doris. I hope you enjoy it! :-)

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  2. Yep, this one's a winner. I have to buy it!

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    1. More than that, you have to submit to the next one. I don't know how we escaped the usual Jacquie Rogers insanity in the first one, but that kind of omission must not be allowed to continue. ;-)

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  3. As someone who stayed in the same school district from kindergarten to graduation, I've always been a bit envious of the "army brats." I've made up for it in my adult life, moving on average every three years. :-)

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    1. Good for you, Keena! Have you enjoyed all the moving?

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  4. All of the stories sound wonderful...I think we all had times in our lives when we had to grow up. Some of us over night. I know one thing for sure....there have been more than a few times when I wish I could go back in time and just be a kid again.

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    1. You know, Barn, I sometimes think that, too...and then I remember the really awful hairstyles, disastrous fashions, bad cafeteria food, and PE. I'm glad I don't have to fool with those anymore! :-D

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  5. Kathleen, I really really loved your story in MFMS. I can't wait to see what you come up with for the next one. LOL This one sure had some great stories in it--struck a lot of chords with me and reminded me of some other people I have known, too.
    Cheryl

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    1. All of the stories in this volume touched chords with me. They're all so different, yet each speaks to certain universal experiences. I was just floored by the stories. Can't wait to see what treasures the next one holds!

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  6. I can't imagine moving around so much as a child, but as you say, you wouldn't change a thing. And that says tons. I moved around after getting married as my hubby was in the Navy. I so enjoyed seeing different parts of the US and then living in Spain for two years--quite an adventure, eye opener and so very interesting. Loved every minute. The hardest part was leaving family then new friends behind when we moved. But the best part was forming everlasting friendships with so many along the way. Those I'll treasure forever. Thanks for a great post. And I have MFMS on my Kindle and can't wait to start it. What a great line up of authors. Wishing all of you much success.

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