Some of the fondest memories I have of my childhood were all the games and toys we made growing up. Being one of seven kids of immigrant parents, we didn’t have much, and we learned quickly not to ask for much either. So we had to be really creative with what we did have. I remember my older sisters making game cards from notebook paper. They drew pictures of different types of flowers (two of a kind) and we’d spread them face down on the carpet and play the memory/matching game. Not only did it show the creativity that my sisters had, but also their talent for drawing. The flowers weren’t just cartoon pencil drawings, they were real-life looking (some flowers were even exotic!).

I also remember my oldest sister making a Raggedy Ann and Andy doll for the younger sisters. She even sewed clothes for it! She also made clothes for the one Barbie doll that we five sisters shared. When I became old enough to make my own toys, I made little people out of paper and made clothes that could be taken on and off. Oh, that was a lot of fun–making the house out of a cardboard box and “building”  furniture for each room, i.e. stove, chairs, cabinets, etc…all out of paper! I recall most of my playtime lying on the carpet, entering a whole other world of make-belief.

Sometimes I wish that we could rewind and go back to the good ‘ole days where kids used their imagination more and learned how to live and play more simply. I didn’t have much growing up, but I’m thankful that my childhood experiences taught me how to be creative and to enjoy the simple things in life.