A lot has happened since I started this blog. I don’t need to keep harping about what’s happening around each one of us right now. But you know what, all these made me think of how we let this world become like this. I looked back and found a few things that I should have recognised but I hope what I am going to tell you, will change how we perceive things for our children.
From my childhood till now, there were a lot of happy things that I loved but I am uncertain about a few others. I think there would be many like me who went through the same situations but haven’t been vocal about the experiences. Many would like to not believe that such incidents can happen in the place we are from. The calm, serene, hospitable nature of the people are always the characteristics we’re being defined by. What I went through, I believe are incidents that would have made a much bigger deal right now but not in the world I grew up in.
I come from a place that I will forever be in love with; Shillong! I lived with my grandparents; my siblings and I grew up with aunts, uncles and cousins around us. I’ve always loved everyone around me till I lost my grandparents both maternal and paternal. My world crumbled and I fucked up majorly. I made it through the rough times, learnt to live without the pillars of my life and made space for new friends and family members.
I sometimes feel that I don’t need friends for I have four older siblings. But growing up they were a pain for me. We never agreed on anything. However, being the youngest I had my ways if I wanted to but there were times, I was told I was adopted. I think that’s one prank that older siblings play with the younger ones the most. Anyway, I love my crazy, smart, intelligent, caring and annoying siblings. I know that if I fuck up right now, I can always count on them to help me clean up the mess. I still play, the youngest sibling card now and then 😊
Due to the age difference I didn’t share the same set of friends with my siblings. I also had a different set of friends at home and in school. I loved the time in school the most. My first friend in school is still a very close friend even though we were apart for a few years. We’re still holding tight. The friends I had at home caused me trouble at times and turned me into a quiet kid who was always at the corner whenever new faces were around.
The Friendship that haunts:
I never realised it until now that I was bullied, by someone who I used to call my best friend. I recall this one incident that I was not allowed to play with her just because I was studying in a Khasi medium school and not at all fluent in English (I wish she’d have met me now). She informed her other school friends (who studied in an English medium school with her) who had come to play with her at the time, that I was too cunning, so I was not in the same league to play with them. I didn’t understand at the time what the word meant that was described about me. Right about now, she would have received a middle finger. Or not! Never mind. My point is, imagine a child being told by another that they are lesser than. I wonder at times as a parent, if my child grows up to be a bully; would I notice? I definitely would miss out. But I will ensure that I will never allow this to happen to my kid or any other kid. My mistake I think, was not informing my siblings ‘cause I didn’t want them to think I was not “tough” 😊
Have you ever been in situations like these? What would you have done at seven years old? Do share your experiences. I would love to hear them and discuss. I will be covering more topics like these in my next entry. Stay tune and do share your feedback, please.
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