I have many memories of my childhood.
The earliest memory I have is walking past some fence posts that had been recently put in. I still wore nappies. This was the outside fence of a paddock attached to the pigsty. My father kept pigs and with his brother's help he had expanded the area where pigs were kept. He was showing a visitor the new fence. I have a distinct memory of this post.
The post is still there. I recognise it easily. I don’t know how old I was, but I must have been small because the post seemed as high as a building. I could walk, so I must have been about 2 years old.
When I was 2 years old, I spent some time in the hospital. I had appendicitis. I had to have my appendix removed. I still have the scar. It’s quite large. Apparently, the surgeon had to get two hands inside my stomach. I have a distinct memory of being in the operating theatre. It was exceedingly well lit up. Very bright. This was different to what I was used to, as we did not have electricity and bright lights were new to me. This was exceedingly bright. It was also exceedingly white.
When I was 3 years old, I had my tonsils out. I have distinct and expansive memories of the hospital. It was a very large room with many children in beds. Boys and girls. Some of the children were naughty and were out of bed and walking around. They were told they were naughty. Some objected to having to get back into bed and cried. Some talked to each other as if they knew each other. Some children seemed very grown up. Some seemed to be having a good time.
My Grandmother visited me in hospital and brought a new book. She did not read it to me. I didn’t know what it was about because I couldn't read, but I could look at the pictures. I loved my grandmother. I know now that she loved me. She came more than once and sat on a chair beside my bed.
I had a sore throat and was given lots of ice cream to eat. I didn't particularly like vanilla ice cream, but it was soothing on the throat. I slept a lot. I can remember some children calling out at night. Maybe they were having dreams, but I didn't understand this. I was just woken up wondering what was happening.
I have no memory of going home.
When I was 4 years old my brother was born. My father and I left my mother at the hospital and drove home in his car. I stood on the seat beside him. I only came up to his head even though I stood up on the seat. I leaned on him. It was strange being in the car without my mother. He let me stand up on the seat. I enjoyed being alone with my father. I had not been told my mother was having a baby. My brother when he came home was large. He became the centre of attraction. I know I resented this.
I have no memories of my first day at school. I know I had no misgivings about going to school. It is said that I welcomed it.
I do have a memory of once taking all my toys to school and that I enjoyed the attention this gave me with the other children.
School went up to Grade 8. We were all in the same room. I was interested in some of the older children because they seemed so grown up and acted strangely. We had grown up boys and girls who spent all playtimes talking to each other as if they were indulging in secrets. They appeared grown up because they nearly were. I watched them a lot.
Lessons have not left a mark on me. I think I learned to read quite quickly. I have no memory of it being difficult. I can distinctly remember learning subtraction and division. I had already learned the times table by heart. It seemed quite logical.
…
Neville Gibb
September 2024
The earliest memory I have is walking past some fence posts that had been recently put in. I still wore nappies. This was the outside fence of a paddock attached to the pigsty. My father kept pigs and with his brother's help he had expanded the area where pigs were kept. He was showing a visitor the new fence. I have a distinct memory of this post.
The post is still there. I recognise it easily. I don’t know how old I was, but I must have been small because the post seemed as high as a building. I could walk, so I must have been about 2 years old.
When I was 2 years old, I spent some time in the hospital. I had appendicitis. I had to have my appendix removed. I still have the scar. It’s quite large. Apparently, the surgeon had to get two hands inside my stomach. I have a distinct memory of being in the operating theatre. It was exceedingly well lit up. Very bright. This was different to what I was used to, as we did not have electricity and bright lights were new to me. This was exceedingly bright. It was also exceedingly white.
When I was 3 years old, I had my tonsils out. I have distinct and expansive memories of the hospital. It was a very large room with many children in beds. Boys and girls. Some of the children were naughty and were out of bed and walking around. They were told they were naughty. Some objected to having to get back into bed and cried. Some talked to each other as if they knew each other. Some children seemed very grown up. Some seemed to be having a good time.
My Grandmother visited me in hospital and brought a new book. She did not read it to me. I didn’t know what it was about because I couldn't read, but I could look at the pictures. I loved my grandmother. I know now that she loved me. She came more than once and sat on a chair beside my bed.
I had a sore throat and was given lots of ice cream to eat. I didn't particularly like vanilla ice cream, but it was soothing on the throat. I slept a lot. I can remember some children calling out at night. Maybe they were having dreams, but I didn't understand this. I was just woken up wondering what was happening.
I have no memory of going home.
When I was 4 years old my brother was born. My father and I left my mother at the hospital and drove home in his car. I stood on the seat beside him. I only came up to his head even though I stood up on the seat. I leaned on him. It was strange being in the car without my mother. He let me stand up on the seat. I enjoyed being alone with my father. I had not been told my mother was having a baby. My brother when he came home was large. He became the centre of attraction. I know I resented this.
I have no memories of my first day at school. I know I had no misgivings about going to school. It is said that I welcomed it.
I do have a memory of once taking all my toys to school and that I enjoyed the attention this gave me with the other children.
School went up to Grade 8. We were all in the same room. I was interested in some of the older children because they seemed so grown up and acted strangely. We had grown up boys and girls who spent all playtimes talking to each other as if they were indulging in secrets. They appeared grown up because they nearly were. I watched them a lot.
Lessons have not left a mark on me. I think I learned to read quite quickly. I have no memory of it being difficult. I can distinctly remember learning subtraction and division. I had already learned the times table by heart. It seemed quite logical.
…
Neville Gibb
September 2024
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