They say that memory starts at the age of 3

Tita Asela and Tita Aurora (Insert Tita Malou) of Balay Binhi Iloilo, Philippines and

Auntie Sandhya of Waldorf Playgroup Singapore

They say that memory starts at the age of 3,

But I can recall something before that – all about goodness and serenity.

I remember bright faces and oh, such peaceful spaces,

With soft dolls, porcelain shells, and wooden mazes.

I remember a soothing melody reminding me to gently set aside these playthings

Because we had to form a circle and pretend we were little queens and kings!

So we held hands with one another,

My left hand with my nurturer and my right hand with my mother.

And together we danced around to songs that delighted me much

Of flying chickadees, clothes washing gorillas, snapping crocodiles and such.

We hopped, jumped, rolled and crawled – oh, I was so happy!

But all those dancing and singing also made me hungry,

So we sang, “Flip and dip your hands like fish in the silver sea,

Wipe and dry them in the towel and let’s sit down for tea.”

I was given my share of food and we asked for blessings on our meal.

We had bread that we baked and vegetable soup (my favorite), what a thrill!

I finished everything on my plate and I also asked for more.

My tummy was full and I was ready to feed the animals outside for sure.

The sun warmed my back as we set out,

I fed the chickens, the fishes, and the goats that were running out and about.

We watered the blooming garden, and we played with sand.

But soon it was story time, my mother took my hand.

And she sat beside me as we listened to a story

About a caterpillar, an ant, and a bee.

By then, my body wanted me to rest

So my mother laid me on her breast

... And I was light and free.

So when they say that memory starts at the age of 3,

I beg to disagree

Because what we saw, heard, smelled, tasted, and touched before the age of 3

Are foundations for a sound life and on how we choose to be.

And they remind me and you

That our senses have memories, too.

*So I thank you, my nurturers Tita Asela, Tita Au, Tita Malou and Auntie Sandhya, for giving me a good start

Because of what you have given me, I know I’ll grow up healthy and smart.

-- by Thirdy the poet