Childhood Memories and Faith | Growing up in Louisiana with God’s Love

Childhood Memories in Louisiana

I was born in Louisiana, the land of pecan trees and craw fish boils pretty much any day of the week. And yes, we ate lots of craw fish! If you’re not familiar, we’d cover the entire kitchen or dining room table with cut paper bags and pour the bag of craw fish, potatoes and corn right in the center. We’d gather around and eat. It was wonderful!

When I was five, some of my greatest memories are picking up pecans from the ground and holding them in my oversized t-shirt.  My mom and I would gather them together and then she’d bake the most wonderful homemade pecan pies. She would place them near the window, just like in storybooks.

I was close to both of my parents.  My dad always seemed to work two jobs.  My mom stayed home with me mostly, but she worked from time to time. She and I would watch The Young and the Restless together during those summers, while eating tuna fish salad on Ritz crackers.  I thought it was the most amazing thing!  Those Louisiana childhood memories shaped me dearly.

Talking to God as a Child

It was during this age that I remember walking around the parking lot of the apartment complex where we lived and talking to God.  At that time, I was an only child and I had a lot of time on my hands.  My mom’s sister had six daughters, so I spent time with my cousins quite a bit, but there were still many days of being alone.  One time I remember getting angry with God in my bedroom for not getting my way about something.  Years later, I told the Lord how sorry I was for this.  Even though I was a child, it still pains me that I behaved that way.

I don’t get angry with God.  The struggles I had with my husband, years later, and even his passing away at a young age (48) are not things I fault Him for.  Please know, I understand it’s very normal for people to feel angry with God and I don’t look down on anyone for ever feeling that way.  God can certainly handle it, and He understands FAR more than I ever could about a person’s heart and what brings them to that place. Even though I didn’t know Who God was as a young girl, I had an interest in Him. My mom was Catholic at that time, but she hadn’t taught me about it yet.  I would end up going to Catholic mass a few years later.  I believe I loved God, Whoever He was to me at the time.  I would find out Who He really is when I was 15, but that’s a story for another post.  Even as a child, I had a quiet faith in God that would grow stronger later in life.

The Gift of Family Love

My parents gave me a hamster.  His name was Sam.  I loved Sam.  I would take him out and put him in that plastic ball made for hamsters to run around, and then I’d forget about him and find him asleep, somewhere in the house.  Sam and I lived through a flood, when I was in second grade, in a different apartment that I loved.  It had a cozy fireplace.  My mom would lay my clothes out in front of the fireplace during the winter time to get them nice and toasty on cold days.

I had the most amazing bedroom, my own closet and bathroom!  I had so much room that I could fit a round coffee table in my room where I would play and clip long beaded necklaces in my hair because I wanted really long hair.  My hair was blonde, fine and not short, but not long. I always dreamed of having super long hair and this was my way of creating it.

I have exceptional memories of living in Louisiana and I will talk about them in future posts, because those memories shaped and molded me into who I am today. And let’s face it, if you had a great childhood, isn’t it fun to think back on it?

What saddens me is that through the years, I have learned that so many people didn’t have the childhood I was so blessed with. It has taught compassion and deep understanding that so many decisions people make are because they weren’t loved unconditionally by their parents, or maybe didn’t have parents at all, or maybe one parent who had to work so hard they couldn’t spend time with their children.  This saddens me and I know it breaks God’s heart.  God created families. God loves families.

I believe people can imprint their view of their parents onto God.  It’s hard to accept that God can love them if they didn’t feel or know they were loved.  It was easy for me because my parents were so loving.  I wish all children could have the love that I was given.  My parents worked, took care of us. My dad hugged us and was a big teddy bear, but also the most perfect disciplinarian.  My mom wasn’t the mushy one, but I knew she’d hurt someone if they ever tried to hurt me and let me tell you, she went to fight for me quite a few times, particularly in those middle school years.
I know my faith in God and my compassion for others were rooted in that family love.

Moving to Florida in the 80’s 

Flashing forward, we ended up moving to Florida when I was ten.  My dad was so skilled in construction. During the 80’s construction in Florida was booming and he was able to get a great job in Naples, FL.  That move from Louisiana to Florida in the 80’s marked the next chapter of my childhood story.

Looking back again, as I have so many times, sometimes for comfort, I realize that God was with me always. He was there and I had a great family.  He’s there if you didn’t or don’t have a great family life now, or even if you’re alone.  Please know that in your darkest moments, when God felt like He never existed, He was always there for you and He is there for you now.  It doesn’t matter where you are, or what you’re doing, how bad you feel, how many mistakes you’ve made, or what decisions.  He’s there.  He’s here even in the midst of this blog post. Whether in Louisiana childhood memories or later in Florida, I know God’s love never left me.

You’re not lost, out there, with no value, no meaning, no purpose.  He made you.
He wants to show you His love.

Maybe your childhood story looks different, but I believe we all carry threads of lost, loved, and found. That’s what makes this a place where we can walk together.

Until next time- Lost.Loved.Found xoxoxoxo