I can’t say this is my submission for Tales of Terror: Times Past, but I definitely was motivated by it.
(Thanks to rxfrazier… now I know this is a Patrick Amiot piece! Cool!)
Irene asks, “Can you remember any tales of fear that your parents used to stop you going out of bounds?”
My mom was one of those people who worried a lot. I don’t remember any tales of fear she had told us, but I remember the suffering she had endured when she suspected something had gone wrong. We, her kids, learned from a very young age to play safely; we didn’t want Mom to worry. But kids are kids. We also learned “don’t tell”.
Now, I would like to share a firecracker story with you.
Baby Boomer – Tainan, Taiwan
Firecrackers were fascinating to me. Every Chinese New Year, I would patiently wait for my brother lighting up firecrackers, so we could start celebrating the New Year (Dad thought it was a scaring thing for girls to do). The sound, the smell… I loved it all.
One year, while my parents were busy, my neighbor’s boy and I were in the backyard throwing firecrackers at each other. He was in their backyard and I was in ours. A brick wall stood between us, so we couldn’t see where the other person really was. It was fun; we shouted, laughed, and had a great time.
At one specific moment, while I was busy getting ready to light up next firecracker in my hand, I felt something was on my chin. It turned out to be ash. “Weird, when did it get on my face?” I thought. A few seconds later, a firecracker exploded near my feet and that was when I realized a firecracker had just flown by my face.
To be honest, even after that realization, the only thing in my mind was: “Oh no, he got me!” It was not until many years later that I realized how lucky I was on that day. If the fuse was a little shorter, the firecracker would explode right by my face. Other than having a bloody face, I, most likely, would become blind (I had my eyes opened looking at the firecracker in my own hand). If that happened, my parents would be heartbroken and his parents would feel terrible; the relationship between two families would have changed forever; my friend would carry guilt for the rest of his life and I would have a totally different life…
In recent years, many cities (countries) had banned firecrackers. I guess it is a good thing, even though I, somewhat, miss the smell, the sound, and the excitement…
Feb. 5th is Chinese New Year. Happy Chinese New Year, my friends. It’s year of the pig, if you wonder.
Thanks for visiting my blog
HHC Blog 
Glad that firecracker did not explode any closer to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Hien. I count my blessings everyday! 😉
Good night.
LikeLike
Scary story! Happy NewYear to you Helen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Anabel. That’s why I don’t want to be that young again; but I don’t like to be older either 😉
Have a great day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year Helen. I’m not sure what year I am but I did enjoy the news last night that visited the celebrations of the pig around the world.
Thank you for sharing your story. Did you share it with your children and turn it into a tale of terror for them? You were lucky. We have banned private individuals having fireworks in australia but we still have public events. I was a woos and really only enjoyed the sparklers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Irene. Since firecrackers are banned here, I have never told my daughter this story. I, actually, forgot about it until I saw your challenge. I like Times Past. It had brought back some good memories. Thanks.
Have a great day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad it brings back some good memories. I went to a reunion yesterday and on the drive down we talked about things we had done together whilst doing our nursing training. I was amazed at just how much I had forgotten (and I thought I had a good memory) until prompted. Have a good weekend.
LikeLike
Pingback: Tales of Terror: Times Past | Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist)
Your photo looks like a Patrick Amiot piece. Amusing whether or not.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are right!!! When I posted this photo, I was thinking I wish I knew who created this. All I knew was I took the photo in SF somewhere. THANK YOU!!!
Have a great day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome, Helen. You might enjoy some more of his (and his daughter’s) art here: http://patrickamiot.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks again. I do like his work, and definitely will check it out.
Have a great day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year, dear!
It will be a wonderful year, I believe so. I am so thankful to find you here, as always. Have a productive and meditative year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year to you, too! Are you back from your trip?
Have a great day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I have been back to the States for a while…
Are you ready for your trip? ^^
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. more than all previous trip. I will attend a couple of Lamrim classes, and one calligraphy class 😉 Can’t wait.
Have a great day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great! Lamrim classes are very good. I always remember the class we went to together years ago.
Have a wonderful trip!
LikeLiked by 1 person