Losing A Piece Of Childhood – Hometown View

I’m sure just about every parent remembers reading stories to their children when they were young and it’s likely that both you and your child had a favorite. For my first-born it was without question “Where the Wild Things Are” a 1963 picture book written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak, who died yesterday at age 83.

His death took me way back to those days when my wife or I would read that story to Brandon on what seemed like a nightly basis. The main character is a young boy named Max who was sent to his room without dinner after misbehaving and it was in that room that he created his own world complete with wild and vivid creatures.

Like it was yesterday I can recall getting to certain parts in the story when I would change my inflection and pretty much go into character…..”and the wild things roared their terrible roars and gnashed their terrible teeth and rolled their terrible eyes and showed their terrible claws.” Brandon would act like he was scared even though he knew what was coming.

Without question his favorite part of the story was when Max cried “let the wild rumpus start” and it might result in my then little boy jumping on his bed and laughing and screaming. He was so into the story that my wife had a framed picture of Max and his friends hung in Brandon’s room. My little boy is 26 years old now and while Maurice Sendak may be gone his story will live on and be enjoyed for years to come.

There’s a pretty good chance you might be aware that yesterday was National Teacher Day…a day in which we celebrate those who have such a positive impact on our children.

What you might be not be aware of is Tuesday was also No Sock Day which does not come complete with cards and gifts. However for some of us it’s recognition of the best feeling there is….soft, comfortable shoes with some powder and no socks.

There was a time when I would go through a good portion of the winter without those cotton things on my feet but not any longer. However once the weather breaks and topsiders become my main footwear than the socks come off and they are…today. What a great feeling!