I found an old journal of mine. It’s a Hello Kitty diary that I kept when I was in Junior High. Although I frequently move it around from one shelf to another when rummaging through my closet, last night it called out to me. Once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down.

I read all about the boys I had crushes on, the teachers who were mean, and heartbreaking memories such as my brother going to college. I was impressed that I wrote about current events. I celebrated when the Hostages were released from Iran and I talked about hope for our new president Roland Reagan.

Although I was inconsistent about writing and would often apologize to my diary for missed entries (an indication of my lifelong struggle with guilt), I was able to capture some of the childhood highlights and milestones that I would have likely forgotten had I not written them down.

My grandmother always encouraged having a diary and I still journal to this day. Although I remain inconsistent with the frequency of my entries, I have come to peace with the notion that my journal is something I do for me. It allows me to process thoughts, capture memories, and serves as a vehicle for prayer.

In my opinion, parents should urge their children to keep a diary. Even if it is an online version, at least it can serve as a tool for working through the emotional ups and downs that accompany childhood. Today, my little Hello Kitty diary is one of my most treasured possessions. It provides a path back to my childhood and holds sacred memories that I will have for the rest of my life.

1 Comments

Jennifer Lanter said:

Paige,
I recently found my childhood diary and it provided me hours of entertainment. When I came to the end of my diary, I closed the small, leather bound book and took a few minutes to reflect. This is what I discovered

1. 30 years later I'm still the 10 year old little girl who wrote about Elvis passing away and about not understanding war and I was worrying about my lips getting too big. Heather McKenzie called me big lips and I was obsessed with the size of my lips for 2 years

2. I was also struck by the fact that I really loved my 10 year old self. She was full of wonder, hope and passion for life. Sure- I was over-dramatic and self obsessed but hey-mm I really that different now? No

Love my diary
Jennifer

July 25, 2007 12:16 PM

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