Show me the child at seven...

garinda · 07-04-2010, 08:29

Is there anything in that old Jesuit maxim, which says 'Show me the child of seven, and I'll show you the man'?

If you had the chance today, to meet the seven year old child that was you, choose five words to describe that child, and then say if it still accurately describes your character.

My five words...

- Earnest.

- Artistic.

- Clown.

- Eager.

- Independent.

Although I feel I've had my eyes opened to many things since that age, religion for example, I still think those descriptive words could be applicable now, though I'd probably use more expansive choices.

What about you?

Are you still basically the same person you were at seven years old, or have you changed beyond all recognition?

Gayle · 07-04-2010, 13:06

You'd probably have to ask my Mum and Dad for a proper list because I really can't remember that well.

But I think I was

Artistic
Serious
Academic
Inquisitive
Happy

I guess that's more or less the same as I am now. I love learning new things and creating things. I think people see me as being too serious (I'm not all the time) but there are times when I take myself too seriously too. But, essentially I'm a happy person.

cashman · 07-04-2010, 13:13

Have a job remembering last week, all about 55 yrs ago.

shillelagh · 07-04-2010, 15:00

i cant remember .. ive slept since then ... all i really can remember that age was accident prone .. had my arm in a sling not allowed to go to school for the first week of september .. id fallen off the rope swing and into the brook .. so would that be adventurous .. and loving my books

garinda · 07-04-2010, 15:03

I think as a child I probably appeared as a serious, little goody-goody.

Quite pious, and perfectly behaved.

In reality that was done just to mask the fact I was a right silly, giddy-kipper.

So no change there then.

Gayle · 07-04-2010, 15:18

It's a shame we didn't live next to each other when we were younger, instead of our parents living next door to each other now. I suspect we'd have got on very well then. Either that or we'd have been competing to see who could come up with the most creative use of papier mache.

garinda · 07-04-2010, 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle

It's a shame we didn't live next to each other when we were younger, instead of our parents living next door to each other now. I suspect we'd have got on very well then. Either that or we'd have been competing to see who could come up with the most creative use of papier mache.

I'm sure we'd have been best friends, with a well worn hole in the hedge.

I was always the oldest child, so took the lead most times. So there might have been a slight power struggle, you being much older than myself.

All the kids who used to live on Stanhill Lane, all eight of them, had membership to the GM Club, with regular meetings in our own clubhouse/garden shed. Some of my old books still have tickets inside, from when they were part of the GM Club library.

Gayle · 07-04-2010, 16:10

Yes, I'm SOOOO much older than you!!!!

I used to have little clubs and write newsletters and stuff. I also used to collect all sorts of tat and make exhibitions in the spare room which I'd charge my Mum and Dad to go in and visit.

MargaretR · 07-04-2010, 16:21

I can only remember three events for that year
... everyone who came to my birthday party started with chicken pox the day after
... I was a bridesmaid for the one and only time
... Geoffrey Pendergast kissed out my front teeth at his party
I think I was a bit of a 'poser' because I had to wear matching gear even then

garinda · 07-04-2010, 16:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle

Yes, I'm SOOOO much older than you!!!!

I used to have little clubs and write newsletters and stuff. I also used to collect all sorts of tat and make exhibitions in the spare room which I'd charge my Mum and Dad to go in and visit.

Lol, we'd have definitely have got on.

We'd have had a joint exhibition space to rival to the Saatchi Gallery, by the time we were eight.

garinda · 07-04-2010, 16:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretR

I can only remember three events for that year
... everyone who came to my birthday party started with chicken pox the day after
... I was a bridesmaid for the one and only time
... Geoffrey Pendergast kissed out my front teeth at his party
I think I was a bit of a 'poser' because I had to wear matching gear even then

A bit sloppy, kissin' at that age.

My dad wouldn't have been copying his mate Pendy, in doing that.

Stumped · 07-04-2010, 18:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

Is there anything in that old Jesuit maxim, which says 'Show me the child of seven, and I'll show you the man'?

If you had the chance today, to meet the seven year old child that was you, choose five words to describe that child, and then say if it still accurately describes your character.

My five words...

- Earnest.

- Artistic.

- Clown.

- Eager.

- Independent.

Although I feel I've had my eyes opened to many things since that age, religion for example, I still think those descriptive words could be applicable now, though I'd probably use more expansive choices.

What about you?

Are you still basically the same person you were at seven years old, or have you changed beyond all recognition?

Thoughtfulness.

Perception.

Honesty.

Loving, and blessed with

a good sense of Humour.

Qualities that were presented to me at an early age. I have lived up to some, but am sometimes found wanting in others!

DaveinGermany · 07-04-2010, 19:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

If you had the chance today, to meet the seven year old child that was you, choose five words to describe that child

I think I'd need more than 5

& not all of them would be complimentary

But for this exercise I'll be kind to me !

Adventurous

Dependable

Exuberant

Gregarious

Happy

Adventurous - in that we were always out & about & getting up to stuff, but as stated elsewhere we couldn't cause to much mischief as we were known (well our parents had many friends & they always seemed to know)

Dependable - My Father worked shifts at HMP & my Mum was always flitting about helping neighbours & doing a couple of hours cleaning at the School in the evenings. As the Eldest my little Brother & Sister needed watching I was it !

Exuberant - Our little "Gang" always seemed to be at top speed, on our push bikes, round the park playing Footie, (Off down the canal) or just playing in the street. There just weren't enough hours in the day to do all the things we wanted to, so we'd do things quickly to cram more in.

Gregarious - The "Gang" was our being, we went everywhere together & did things together, Playing, Fighting with each other, Footie, Scrumpin', Swimming, getting into trouble, we did it together.

Happy - Does it really need an explanation ?

What I am today ? It's a World apart from that carefree 7 year old. I still have many friends, we meet & laugh & joke, share experiences, but maturity & parts of life I've witnessed, seen & partaken in, have all left their marks.

Reliable & Dependable still, but I find that the awareness of my own mortality & that of those close to & around me has tempered the exuberance. There is a more serious & earnest edge to my actions & re-actions. (I am no longer invincible, this I've painfully learnt & I really am not getting any younger.)

Happy ? after a fashion, no longer the boundless joy & optimism once experienced in youth, but a more sage & retrospective balancing of the good things in life against the inevitable sorrows we are destined to experience.

Changed perhaps isn't quite the term to adopt in respect of the above. Intrinsically I'm still me inside with the same mischief & merriment of those Halcyon days, possibly a more fitting expression would be "Experienced" I have lived & experienced life !!