Memory

Memory:1

It was the 11th May 1969 I remember it all as clear as day it was my worst nightmare come true. 2

I was seven years of age, I was a worrier, and everything worried me. I wanted my parents to live as long as me.  The thought of being alone was a scary thought. Each night I would go and get a shower, clean my teeth, my mother always admired how sparkly clean my teeth were. 3

I would then get into my pyjamas and hop into bed, approximately around 8:30P.M. My mum believed that I needed my sleep. My mum would then sit on the edge of the bed and read to me, happy stories, in hope that my dreams were beautiful ones. Nevertheless it never worked. 4

She would give me a kiss on the forehead, then go down to talk to dad, after they both had a very hard day at work. I was now all alone, in my sleep. I was dreaming about our school burning down, with my family inside, I was screaming, without a second thought I plunged in, everyone burning, screaming for help. No I screamed, No! Then all of a sudden I was woken with a sudden jerk. Harry! My mother said, sweet heart; you are having a bad dream. Subconsciously I shouted get off me. The worst was still to come, I hit her, furiously and then I started to come round. When I saw her talking to me I apologised almost immediately. Then my mum settled me back down to sleep. 5

First thing in the morning I apologised to her. See I have these nightmares on and off, I was tempted to tell the teacher in circle time, as I did not want my mum to know as I was afraid she would think I was a coward, I know she is a very special and caring person, however I did not want to lose her. On the other hand this information was better kept to myself, as I thought everyone else would react a lot worse then my parents, I did think about it as I remember that saying a problem shared is a problem halved. However that cannot always be true because people could mock you, I could not bare the humiliation. 6

At break time I tried to play with my friends and tried to act normally as possible; however I could not succeed as the problem was still gnawing away at the back of my mind. I would have liked to share my problems I really would, I did not want people to think I was losing the plot though. 7

I continued for about another month until I started to crack. Nevertheless the nightmare was only really just beginning. 8

The following day was worse than ever I was distracted: by every single sound, movement. Then I heard it, the fire alarm started ringing I was frozen to the exact same spot, where I was in my dreams my friends helped me get out and I helped a few others who seemed to be stunned to the spot. 9

We watched the school burning, and then I was told to go to one side where I was told my mother and sister had died. Why didn't rush in and save them like in my dream? 10

I ran off I got lost, I went wondering deeper and deeper into a wood. It was a month or two later when I saw a forest fire, where I was staying. I rushed and got everyone to safety. Weeks later there was another one, I rushed and got them out, depressingly it was only a campfire. Was I just paranoid? I had to be. 11

I was not prepared to stand and watch people burn or die in any form or way, I became sensitive over every little, thing such as a fox being killed. I was now known as mystery boy. 12

My dad heard about the mystery boy and saw the photograph in the newspaper. So he came searching for me.Gradually we were reunited, until now though, when my dad sadly past away with a stroke in his sleep, peacefully. When I die I would want to die in my sleep like him. 13

I decided to become a nurse and a fire fighter and be supportive with charities. I felt alone without my dad and mum, life had no perks to it anymore, I thought about suicide. Until I met the girl of my dreams, Mary, who bought, everything back to me, about helping people, and joy in life. 14

I have now got two beautiful sons and daughters my younger boy is called Mickey, named after my best friend who died in the fire. The oldest boy is called Michael after my dad. My oldest daughter is called Cara after my mum, and last but not the least the youngest daughter is called Mary after my beautiful wife. 15

We do everything together as we do not want to waste a second of our time together as we do not know what life has got to hold around the corner for us. Life can hold, happiness and misery but enjoy the happiness while you still can, as life is to short. 16