Ah, childhood! Was it as good as our memories claim it was? Oh yeah! That and so much more! Growing up in the '80's was a trip! Just recalling some of the wild and wacky things we did as kids brings a smile to my face... and a tear to my eye.
It's not that we had more time, we had less to do. By less, I mean, things that distracted us from the main thing. The main thing? Having fun - and that, we had plenty to do! Whether it was building tree houses or go-karts, bathing in the sea or riding a bicycle around Colombo. There were so many things that we wanted to cram into the day - and that was after school on weekdays! Weekends - weekends were just packed! (I must tell you about our dual tree houses with the ziplines to travel between them! or the time we walked across the Mahaweli River on the rail tracks of the Peradeniya Bridge, or our 100 basket half court games played under one streetlight shining into our school or so many other memories- man the days were really, truly packed!)
One reason I was drawn to Calvin and Hobbes comic strips from the beginning was the brash way he created his own world. "This is how I see things and to hell with what you think!" Calvin had guts, to think, feel and do things the way he wanted to (having a pet tiger, helps). Even more than that, he had what all of us kids had back then, imagination and wanting to do things on our own.
It was a sad day when the writer, Bill Watterson decided to stop drawing Calvin and Hobbes in 1995. But I understand. He had accomplished what he wanted, and anymore writing would mean Calvin would have to grow up (perish the thought!).
I had just started working in 1994, my father retired that same year - ironically on the day I started to work. Once work starts - life stops. That is our mistake. Nothing has to stop our childlike wonder or curiosity. Nothing should come between us and the main thing - having fun!
I wrote the poem below in 1996, inspired by Bill and his wonderful world of curiosity and fun, that was Calvin and Hobbes. If you listen closely, there is a tune to it - Kenny Loggins' "Return to Pooh Corner"...
When the Days were Just Packed
Look up, at the sky, there's a rainbow - can you see?
The sunshine in my eyes, hush! the wind it calls to me,
Take your time, look around - what's your hurry? can't you see -
The days are just packed! Come fly with me let's go looking back!
Walking along a trail that leads, down the path of my memories...
Look up, climb a tree, reach the top and feel the breeze,
Playing hard with my friends, hoping that it'll never cease,
Take my hand, journey back - look inside and you will see -
The days are just packed! Come join me on the mountain track;
Walking along just shooting the breeze, without a care and no worries...
Look up, at the sky, Orion's there - he comforts me,
Starry light shines so bright - dreams lit up in fantasy,
Take a trip, faraway, adventures calling out to me,
The days are just packed! Come run away down the railway tracks,
Walking along with my soul at ease, down the path of my memories...
Look up, at the sky, where's my rainbow? I cannot see,
Teardrops fill my eyes, Oh! the wind it sighs to me,
Take a look - times have changed, life's a hurry can't you see?
Life's just a race! There is no room for second place,
Rushing along no time for the trees, the stars, the rainbow -
or shooting the breeze...
So won't you take me back... back to when the days were just packed..
Inspired by "The Days are Just Packed"
A Calvin and Hobbes Collection by
Bill Watterson