A Fond Memory: My Very First Pumpkin

I remember as a kid when I attended the day care center down the street on a corner from the block where I lived.

It was a 3k and pre-k early learning center -“the first step towards college and career readiness”- their logo reads- that is still in operation today at the same location.

During the late 70’s or early 80’s, they scheduled a school trip for us young students to explore. Our parents were welcome to come if they desired.

My mother attentively came along.

A school bus picked us up directly in front of the Charles Drew Day Care Learning Center.

We were all headed to the Pumpkin Patch!

There was a large farm field of pumpkins that were laid out all for us children to choose from. Our very own to take back home.

I ran my little body out into the open land, not afraid to journey independently to hunt.

I will never forget that day. It was exciting, educational, inspiring- and mommy was right there beside me for the experience.

I picked out a cute, perfect little pumpkin that was just right for me.

When the time came one day at home, because I did not cut into my adored pumpkin right away, my mother guided me as I carved open the head of the pumpkin to take out the pulp, fibrous strands, and seeds. My mom instructed me on how we did it together.

Afterwards, I carved two eyes, a nose, and a mouth into my pumpkin, then placed the stem back over the pumpkin as a hat.

My pumpkin lasted for a long time, from the beginning to the time it was finally ready to be thrown away.