Bradford Files: A Child’s Perception
Not all childhood memories are exact in detail when recalled by adults. Many memories are not factual at all but are fabrications in the adult mind as to the way they thought or wished it happened. As a young child my perception of my father was a very tall man that had a loud voice. In my mind he towered over me. At the time he really did seem like a giant. Later on I came to realize that Dad was only 5’7″ which is not very tall at all for a Caucasian man of his age. I also remember as a child how old I thought the President of the United States looked. He looked old enough to be my grandfather. Today I look at the current President and realize that I am older than he is. There was an old tree at the end of the road we lived on that once you climbed to the top of it you could see the whole world in a panoramic view. Recently I drove past that old tree and realized it is only about 15 feet high. I can remember how impressed I was in Grammar school how much knowledge my school teacher had. He could give you the answer to any question before the students got through reading it. Of course later on I found out he had the teachers manual open on his desk during the whole class. I wonder if there will ever be a movie or book recalling a person’s childhood memories that is truly factual? I know that I could not write one but I wonder how many other people even realize how much of their memoirs is truth or fiction?
Keith Bradford
Keith Bradford Promotions
256 E. Old Hickory Blvd. Madison, TN 37115 (615) 612-3899
The Bradford Files supplied by Keith Bradford Nashville Tennessee. Email Keith at kmarecords@aol.com
Keith Bradford has a remarkable way of getting points across. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article, and related to it. About 5 years ago I went back to my childhood home to show Bob. The people in it were very kind when I explained I wanted my husband to see it. Yes, it thankfully was still there, not torn down like some homes. It was not as large as I remember, but it still had elagance. The pond my Dad built was a 3 leaf clover not 2 leaf as I thought. The room I took piano listens in was larger than I recalled. The neighborhood had remarkably stayed untouched, except the famous candy store with pin ball machines was gone, replaced by a Real Estate Company.
Thanks for your columns Keith, wonderful to read. Rhon
Thank you Rhon for the kind words. You are a truly gifted writer yourself.
Keith Bradford