Nostalgia

I spent part of the day in the car, driving across different parts of Sydney to attend a baby shower and to run a couple of errands. During this time I was able to listen to some interesting interviews on the radio. The first one was with a young woman from Texas who is a Guerilla Knitter. She is here in Australia to promote her work. I was very excited to hear the interview because it made me think of Melinda, who has indulged in some Guerilla knitting of her own. This lady from Texas has a display outside the Opera House, so I will have to go and have a look.

The next interview that I listened to, that subsequently continued with listeners sharing their responses, was to think about something that was prevalent in your childhood, that you don't see much of today...and it makes you feel a sense of nostalgia.

Well, all of this got me thinking...a woman from Texas has inspired many people to turn ugly urban areas into warm places. The idea that one has pride in their community is a great lesson here! The other thought that I had was about nostalgia. It is true... I don't see merry-go-rounds anymore, and hardly any swings and slippery dips and climbing castles that we had as children. Hopscotch isn't around and neither are jacks. A sense of melancholy came over me because all of those experiences were so positive and so pivotal in my childhood. All of the games involved others (real and imagined)

I look at how different things are today for young children...their days seem regimented and there appears to be a need to create a tangible outcome from every activity. I look forward to one day having children and to allow them to play and to dream... to create games in the garden, imaginary worlds and all that made my childhood so happy.

This sense of nostalgia has made me think about all that was great about my childhood, society at the time and made me think about how my values haven't really changed all that much. That's why I love reading so many of the blogs by designers and cooks and crafty / arty types. Their ideas, their creations are handmade and have so much character. I love reading about their lives because even though many of them live on the other side of the world, their attention to detail, the finer details - whether it be interior design, cooking, making craft, entertaining, gift wrapping or writing thank you cards, all of it celebrates the finer details that make life enjoyable and valuable.

The final comments of each interview referred to how during times of recession (as the globe is experiencing now) people retreat into their local communities and homes. They take up sewing and knitting etc etc. I think that this is partly to explain for the resurgence in a lot of this, however, I don't believe it is the only reason. I also believe that it is because people want to be connected to others...whether it be friends, family, colleagues, neighbours. Many people enjoy being online and conversing with others across the globe, yet people also like to be connected to others. Now that's nostalgia.