My Vintage Diary 

While going through some old treasures, I was surprised to find a five-year diary I received for my 12th birthday. So much fun reading those short snippets, some even into my 15th year. Although most described simple things like going to school or church and daily farm chores, others gave me a memorable look into my youthful years. Who would have thought that I would be reading those entries some sixty years later? 

I had to laugh at things like my friend and I going fishing and accidentally falling into the water. Oh, sure! Or when I rode the horse with my brother and he intentionally made it buck, but I hung on and boasted that I didn’t get bucked off. And the time that four of us girls decided to ride the horse together. Needless to say, the horse didn’t agree so no bragging on what happened then. 

My little, red diary described snowball fights and snow ice cream in the winter and fun, roller-skating parties in the summer. I wrote how my girlfriends and I would often spend the night with each other and trade clothes to wear to school. 

Sweet vignettes from the past like school programs, weddings, pie suppers, donkey ballgames and even stormy nights in the community cellar with other families. And of course, basketball games. Something our little school was known for. I played basketball all through high school. We were good! We were champions! Yes, true bragging rights there! 

Reading my diary felt like walking down old country roads where I grew up, gathering sweet treasures like wildflowers along the way. Everything from painting china dolls during Vacation Bible School to going on hayrides with my first boyfriend, and holiday celebrations with my family.

I’m thankful that very few unhappy entries made it into my beloved memoir. My young life was full of simple pleasures like riding horses and bicycles and wading through cool, shallow creeks with lifelong friends. 

My heart hurts for those who didn’t have this kind of life. But I’m so grateful for my family, friends and the loving community where God planted me. My life is rich with memories!