#TBT

Did anyone else get this weird twist in your stomach as it was time for you to truly step into adulthood? I think I scream in my head more often than I would like or should as I process the fact that in two more months I will be done with school and headed into the field to work full time - you know dealing with all of the things that life has to offer. I know there are some great things about being an adult, but there are definitely some things that I miss as a child. As I go through the rough moments of adulthood, or rough moments of entering adulthood take a walk down memory lane with me as I write about my ten favorite moments of childhood.

Disclaimer: for the technical folk, yes I already know that I am an adult - let me be! ENJOY

#1 Saturday Morning - Bowl of Cereal

Waking up on Saturday morning was always the best thing ever, I grabbed a bowl and the frosted flakes. Filled the cereal to the top and then added the milk. (Which is the correct way to make a bowl of cereal). I tuned into all of the best shows! Sonic the Hedgehog, Power Ranger, In Between the Lions, Dragon Tales, Arthur, Cyberchase, etc. I sometimes sit at home and wish that Netflix would gain some sense and post my favorite shows to their lineup. If that happened I probably would not mind actually paying the new prices for what is the bogus option of watching television with no commercials.

#2 Racing Up and Down the Street

After the long morning of cereal and cartoons - it was time to bust into the wild streets and find something fun. I was either going to climb into a tree or make a bike ramp out of plywood and crates. Thinking about it now that was all probably foolish, but things that I felt was fun. I am sure it would be fun to jump into some of the things all over again. I mean there was one time when I called myself racing a car down the street while on my bike - little ole foolish me did not expect the car to turn into a driveway and run me down. Yes, as a child I was hit by a car but I was able to walk away. There was also a fun time when I was actually racing someone on my bike and my handle bars gave out causing me to fall and slide across the asphalt, for what felt like 20 minutes. Now you might wonder why this is a fun memory, but just because the ending hurt does not mean the activities before it wasn’t.

#3 Performing in School Talent Shows and Assembly’s

Yes, me the shy person that is Marcus was always in front of the crowd. I did many things that most people would be surprised to see me do. I guess I had a moment of wanting to be a performer when I did karaoke at the bar the other day. I opened talent shows with my lack of singing skills and acted in things for parents and my peers. I am fond of this memory because I really went for the things that I loved, but now...well it is much more of a task.

#4 Family Dinner/Playing UNO

Although family can be annoying they can also be a loving group of people to spend your time with to refill your cup. My favorite moments included my mom cooking in the kitchen and me setting the table with my siblings. We would gather around the table and then spend time playing card games or talking about our day. I never had lame parents growing up and also always enjoyed my sisters and brother. What I do not miss is being the sibling that was forced to go ask our parents for things whenever we all mutually agreed about something. I guess you could say now that Thanksgiving, Christmas, 4th of July BBQs are the new places to do these things...but now with extended people.

#5 Summer Days with Grandma

Nothing was better than spending a summer day at my grandma’s house. We played in the yard and woods next to the place that was pretty much a daycare. It was where I first introduced to the cereal KaBooms and Kix! I am sure I would pick those cereal brands over anything now just to relive that time. Also the days where all of the cousins would spend the night and we woke up to grandma cooking breakfast in the kitchen and burning coffee on the side. I can smell the eggs and the pancakes - watching my sister and cousins pour their coffee because they wanted to be grown. I never actually tried it because my grandmother would not allow me or anyone else to get something without finishing what we took. This is one of the reasons of why I hesitate moving away from my family - I think my parents deserve to babysit all of the grandkids while I sleep peacefully at my home. Lol

#6 Finding Out that Writing is FUN

Learning that writing could be fun was an awesome time. As much as I am not a fan of academic writing, doing it as a pleasure and way of self-care has become one of the best things for me to find. I am not going to go deep into because I still get to write and I am grateful for that!

#7 Vacation Bible School - Sometimes

Well my dad is a pastor so it might be clear that I grew up doing things on a regular basis that surrounded religion. Spent Sunday in church from the morning to the night. Besides singing in the church choir, Vacation Bible School was one of the things I enjoyed. Spending time there allowed me to see friends and family. There are moments when I am sitting in my office and singing some of the songs from being at Vacation Bible School and thinking about some of the fun lessons and things that happened on a regular basis. Besides learning about the lord the child drama was insane - maybe there needs to be a reality show about Vacation Bible Schools. I think that show would be more popping than the Kardashians.

#8 Having time to Watch Television Shows on Time

Watching television with my family was always a good time. As a kid I always enjoyed sitting down with them weekly to watch shows that were crazy funny and good. Check Out the List:

Girlfriends

Veronica Mars

America’s Next Top Model

American Idol (Auditions Usually Always)

The Parkers

Half and Half

The Hughley’s

Moesha

The Steve Harvey Show

ETC

#9 Family Snowball Fights - Snow Days - Water Fights

My parents knew how to have fun with me and my siblings and water fights and snowball fights was one of the best times usually. I always looked forward to coming home from school and having my mom surprise us with a snowball fight or my dad spraying us with water while we wash the cars. I really remember one time when my school closed early in preparation for the snow and my mom rented a movie and prepared hot chocolate. We sat in the television room and watched The Day After Tomorrow. One of my all time favorite movies that I make sure to catch on FX. I am surprised that I have not bought it because every time I watch it for a slight moment I think about watching it with my brother and mom.

#10 Sick Days with Grandma

It was always great to get the day when pretending to be sick worked and I got out of school. Going with grandma was always a plus because I got to watch Maury and Jerry Springer while she sat in the other room cleaning up. I am sure if she knew now that I spent some of my time watching those shows she might not be happy. It was also a time when I was able to have ginger ale. On a regular pop was an adult drink, but when your stomach hurt it because medicine. I think Saltine Crackers and Ginger Ale made a buck just from me pretending when I was sick to leave school - or sometimes actually being sick.

Well that has taken away my anxiety for a hot second - we shall see what will happen in a couple of days! Deuces.