I’ve always had a flair for the dramatic. My journals are covered with sketches, photos, and attempts at prose and poetry. I recognize it’s not very good, but I keep at it. I started consistently writing in my journal after reading Anne Frank in the 5th grade. I was sure that if I ever died at a young age my journal would also be placed in paperback and shipped out to school children the world over. Although not as important to history and literature as the Diary of Anne Frank, I was sure that my entries combined with sketches, photos, and poetry would make for a thrilling read.
My first entry dated 6/23/94 is an original poem entitled “Life” – I was 12 years old at the time.
Through storms of unkind words
We live without a light.
Past memories full of swords,
We balance with all our might.
Though society binds us down,
And values make us sick,
We set aside our frowns,
For together we must stick,
Or apart we will drown.
Apparently life was very hard in the suburbia of North Dallas. I fittingly entitled my first journal as “My Link to the Past.” Here’s a link to the 18th of July that same year.
Dearest Sonnet, (Don’t ask, I have no idea.)
Today we traveled from Trinidad to Euray, Colorado. Euray is beautiful. The mountain air is refreshing! We saw a lot of beautiful scenery. Tomorrow we aren’t going jeeping. Instead, I have no clue as to what we are doing. The town is so small and quaint. Last night I was burning hot. Tonight I will be hot. Well, gotta get some sleep. I’m extra tired. By for now my sonnet, Ginger. 9:25pm
As I read through the many journals I have filled in the past 18 years, I can’t help but wonder why I continue to fill them, and why, even now, I am transposing them for others to read. But perhaps the dream to be a part of a 5th grade reading list still remains. Publish them now and one day children in classrooms will take tests on the trip I took to Colorado or my plight as Anne of Green Gables in love with the young man playing the role of Gilbert Blythe in the school play.
Maybe the world will never know… then again… maybe so.
Anyone else have some ridiculous fabulous entries written by their pre-teen selves? 😉
Happy Wednesday, Friends.
-Ginger
