Brigitte, this piece brought me back too; not just to the marbles, but to what the game revealed. The dirty hands. The earth beneath the knees. That raw contact with the ground was not incidental. It was the whole point. The earth in its simplest form is our primary home, and we have been running from it in our modern world. The real question your piece asks is not about marbles – it's about what we have lost in the process of acquiring. What is worth keeping? What is enough? The answer may lie not in holding more, but in getting closer to the ground again.
Yes, you’re touching on something I was trying to get at for sure: there was indeed something formative about the closeness and connection to the ground, the earth…and I only realized this once I felt back into these memories! Thank you, Shams.
This was so beautifully written, Brigitte. As usual, I'm in awe of your thinking and writing. I loved this theme of the things we treasure as children, whether marbles, playing cards or our bikes. When I was little, I had a collection of tiny ceramic animals that I loved and displayed proudly in my room ◡̈
This scene, in particular, was stunning. I felt I was walking right beside you into the sunset:
"I remember walking home slowly the day of this victory, my cloth bag of marbles heavier than earlier. The sun was already setting behind the church, the neighboring houses, and our own house nearby. I remember feeling so happy and rich. Rich in marbles, certainly, but also in the sunlight, warmth and beauty of another long and special summer day."
Brigitte, I hadn't thought about "competitive marbles" in a long, long time. You reminded me how much I enjoyed getting down on my knees and focusing my total attention on something that, at the time, was so very important. Thank you for the healthy dose of nostalgia.
For a while, in my mid-30s, I thought about really applying myself and eventually turning to the Pro Marble League, then one day it dawned on me: that doesn't exist!!
Seriously, your essay turned back the clock in a really fun way. Thank you!
Reading this was like savoring a favorite dessert. Loved every morsel of your childhood memory and how your fond remembrances teased at the fragments of my own. In terms of your craft, I loved that this entire scene takes place at the kitchen sink, recalling marble glory, and then deciding to keep your color-filled memories right there in your glass. Just delightful.
You capture the nostalgia an item can invoke so well here! Even as I read this, I’m wondering about my own childhood and what we used to collect. There’s something so sweet about being a child and bartering something relatively meaningless. I remember we had these little stones that were shaped like I guess tiny monsters or little men making faces. We played a similar game to marbles though I don’t remember it now. Lovely piece!
Thank you Michelle, and I find it striking how we assign meaning to objects and experiences (I also want to find out soon if my sister remembers any of this haha).
Brigitte, I saw this and had been meaning to get back to it. Like you, marbles were part of my past - especially in the 1st and 2nd grade. This description totally took me back:
“It was as if each marble carried within its own small world and temperament. The light revealed their quality and splendor: color, size (the very small or very large ones were favored), and the way the glass appeared clouded or glinting, clear or opaque.”
Looking into them was different every time. And of course I had my favorites that I couldn’t stand losing!!
Brigitte this piece is so rich on so many levels. Thank you for bringing your childhood world alive and then carrying it through with your own daughter. Stunning and inspiring writing 🙏🏼
I loved your piece. I haven't thought about marbles for decades, but this really brought back both the memory and the feeling of awe I had for these little gems. They were like little portals into my imagination. Thank you for sharing.
This immediately took me down the memory lanes. My cousins were crazy about winning marbles. During summer holidays, our streets used to be filled with the marble games :) The elders used to join in the fun at times. Thank you for writing this. Loved reading this.
Your last paragraph is the perpetual question to ask.
This is a beautiful essay, full of humanity and tenderness. Gorgeous writing.
Thank you so much, Kathy! I love that I had your eyes (and heart) on this one.
Brigitte, this piece brought me back too; not just to the marbles, but to what the game revealed. The dirty hands. The earth beneath the knees. That raw contact with the ground was not incidental. It was the whole point. The earth in its simplest form is our primary home, and we have been running from it in our modern world. The real question your piece asks is not about marbles – it's about what we have lost in the process of acquiring. What is worth keeping? What is enough? The answer may lie not in holding more, but in getting closer to the ground again.
Yes, you’re touching on something I was trying to get at for sure: there was indeed something formative about the closeness and connection to the ground, the earth…and I only realized this once I felt back into these memories! Thank you, Shams.
This was so beautifully written, Brigitte. As usual, I'm in awe of your thinking and writing. I loved this theme of the things we treasure as children, whether marbles, playing cards or our bikes. When I was little, I had a collection of tiny ceramic animals that I loved and displayed proudly in my room ◡̈
This scene, in particular, was stunning. I felt I was walking right beside you into the sunset:
"I remember walking home slowly the day of this victory, my cloth bag of marbles heavier than earlier. The sun was already setting behind the church, the neighboring houses, and our own house nearby. I remember feeling so happy and rich. Rich in marbles, certainly, but also in the sunlight, warmth and beauty of another long and special summer day."
I wish I could have seen your ceramic animals. Thank you for your enchanting feedback, as always, my friend!
Brigitte, I hadn't thought about "competitive marbles" in a long, long time. You reminded me how much I enjoyed getting down on my knees and focusing my total attention on something that, at the time, was so very important. Thank you for the healthy dose of nostalgia.
Ah, I love that I injected a dose of competitive marble nostalgia into your evening, Larry! :)
I found it beautiful to bring it all back (or at least fragments of it).
For a while, in my mid-30s, I thought about really applying myself and eventually turning to the Pro Marble League, then one day it dawned on me: that doesn't exist!!
Seriously, your essay turned back the clock in a really fun way. Thank you!
Reading this was like savoring a favorite dessert. Loved every morsel of your childhood memory and how your fond remembrances teased at the fragments of my own. In terms of your craft, I loved that this entire scene takes place at the kitchen sink, recalling marble glory, and then deciding to keep your color-filled memories right there in your glass. Just delightful.
What delightful feedback, Rick. Thank you for taking this stroll down memory lane with me, all from my kitchen sink.
You capture the nostalgia an item can invoke so well here! Even as I read this, I’m wondering about my own childhood and what we used to collect. There’s something so sweet about being a child and bartering something relatively meaningless. I remember we had these little stones that were shaped like I guess tiny monsters or little men making faces. We played a similar game to marbles though I don’t remember it now. Lovely piece!
Thank you Michelle, and I find it striking how we assign meaning to objects and experiences (I also want to find out soon if my sister remembers any of this haha).
Brigitte, I saw this and had been meaning to get back to it. Like you, marbles were part of my past - especially in the 1st and 2nd grade. This description totally took me back:
“It was as if each marble carried within its own small world and temperament. The light revealed their quality and splendor: color, size (the very small or very large ones were favored), and the way the glass appeared clouded or glinting, clear or opaque.”
Looking into them was different every time. And of course I had my favorites that I couldn’t stand losing!!
A lovely essay, Brigitte. 😊
Thank you so much for getting back to reading this, James. It is awesome to know that you too had your favorites!
Brigitte this piece is so rich on so many levels. Thank you for bringing your childhood world alive and then carrying it through with your own daughter. Stunning and inspiring writing 🙏🏼
I certainly tried to carry it through, but "her" cherished childhood objects are different (as it should be). Thank you for your kind words, Linda! 🙏
Brigitte this is exquisite. Thank you for this lovely memory.
Thank you so much, Emily! 💛
I loved your piece. I haven't thought about marbles for decades, but this really brought back both the memory and the feeling of awe I had for these little gems. They were like little portals into my imagination. Thank you for sharing.
This immediately took me down the memory lanes. My cousins were crazy about winning marbles. During summer holidays, our streets used to be filled with the marble games :) The elders used to join in the fun at times. Thank you for writing this. Loved reading this.