Ode to My Diary

Rediscovering Life Through the Pages

Here it is—the diary that sparked my writing journey! As I mentioned in my first post, Mom gave me this Girl Scout diary for Christmas in 6th grade. We never discussed why she chose this gift or that she had her own diary, which I didn’t lay my hands on until after Dad passed, fifteen years after her death. But I believe she wanted to pass on her love of writing.

Whenever I read through my journals (my grownup diaries), I'm amazed at how vividly they captured my life. It often feels like I'm peeking into someone else's world. These early entries offer a glimpse into a simpler time before the depths explored in those later journals.

My diary overflows with entries about Glen, Randy, and Pat – none of whom seemed particularly interested in girls, at least not this awkward sixth grader! On May 27, 1962, I declared with unwavering sixth-grade certainty, "Dear Diary, I still like Randy and will like him as long as I live!" (Spoiler alert: Randy's family moved out of town, and by August 4, my diary entry questioned that eternal love.)

In August of my Freshman year, I made a realization about boys. I wrote, "Tonight Mike didn't ask me to dance at all. I didn't ask him either. A guy can't like a girl last Wednesday and then change his mind so fast. If he does, he's not worth it." Of course, that was not the end of my "relationship" with this guy. There would be more drama in the pages about him until Junior year when I finally woke up. Then while diving into genealogy seven years ago, I unearthed a surprise. Mike, immortalized within these entries, was my fourth cousin!

The back pages of this diary hold a goldmine – favorite songs, movies, and a category labeled "GREAT" parties. One such party, hosted by Missy, my neighbor and Barbie play pal on June 7, 1963, apparently achieved legendary status. My sole diary entry for that glorious occasion? "I had so much fun I can't even put it down on paper." I still remember the parties at Brenner’s in the summer of 64 and 65. I noted that just some of the ones in 65 made the “Great” list! Other parties making this list included Teenage Jamboree (September 12, 1964), Farmer’s Daughter Dance (March 26, 1966), and Fun Points Dance (April 14, 1966), which I don’t remember.

The fancy name tags at Brenner’s Party House. I added the date and that vital information that I broke up with Dan. Really? Who?

This diary might not win a Pulitzer, but it's my story! There are glimpses of something deeper between the gushing over Tim, pronouncements of Glenn's cuteness, and agonizing over Mike. Observations about my ever-evolving brother John, the sting of my first encounter with bullies...even these "juvenile" details and emotions paint a vivid picture of the kid I once was. This little diary holds a treasure trove waiting to be rediscovered.

Need to have diaries or journals? No. Directed springboards and a little time carved out of our busy schedules – that's all it takes to rediscover and unearth our stories.