You know what? It’s my birthday … again! I can’t believe how time flies (ugh!). So I’m here with my little story “about ME and how I grew up”. I was born in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia. I came to this world a little overweight (10 pounds), with 6 double chins, bold, but my mom still thinks that I looked cute. I wish I could share a joyful story full of adventurous family trips, love and laughter, but unfortunately my childhood didn’t fit into this category. My parents divorced when I was two years old and my mom and me suddenly became a family of two. My mom was very strict with me, she worked two jobs and sadly, I don’t remember any fun memories with her.
As a little girl, I spent many evenings alone because my mom had to work. There were countless nights when I was lying in my bed trying to fall asleep. I always told to myself: “I have to fall asleep very quickly, and when I wake up, there will be light outside and my mom will be at home.”
I spent the first 16 years in communism, for which in a strange way I’m grateful, because I feel I look at the world much more humbly. In school, I was never a “popular girl,” although I wanted to be, but my weirdness didn’t allow it. Instead, I joined a “rebel” group that I think was much more fun anyway.
I started working as an “entrepreneur” when I was about 14 years old. My first “business adventure” was illegal. Yes, you hear that right. Let me explain it to you. During communism nobody could own a business! That’s what communism was about. No one will be rich! Everyone will be equal (yeah right)! My friend and I traveled by train across the boarder to Hungary. Hungarians always had nicer clothes in stores than we Slovaks. We went to the market and bought a lot of colorful winter scarves, hats and gloves. On our way back to Slovakia, before we jumped on the train, we had to hide all the merchandise under our clothes. During that time you could only purchased limited amounts of merchandise. Police were always checking people’s bags thoroughly and if you had more stuff than was allowed, they took it away.
This reminds me of another story. When I was about 10 years old, my mom and I went to the Hungarian market and she bought brand new shoes for me. Before we crossed the border, she asked me to rub my new shoes on the ground so that way they didn’t look brand new. Crazy, right?
Ok, lets go back to the “business”. When my friend and I got home safely, we used to go to the farmers Sunday market, to sell our cool neon scarves, hats and gloves. We usually sold it in less than an hour. People were so happy to buy them to wear anything other than gray!
I didn’t mind to work because I wanted to help my mom. I never asked for money. Some children take change out of their parent’s wallet, and I was putting money to my mom’s wallet. Even though my childhood wasn’t that joyful, I love my mom and we have a good relationship. I don’t judge her behavior and I forgave her. I don’t feel that I have to go back in time.
That’s my real story of my childhood. If you read my story to the end, thanks for your attention. In conclusion, I just want to say that if you hold a grudge towards someone, try to forgive him or her. Forgiveness and letting go can lead you down the path of healing and peace. Promise!
So happy birthday to me, and let’s eat some chocolate cake!
