Building My Dream Treehouse: A Journey through Childhood and Memory
As a child growing up in poverty in southern Illinois, building a treehouse was one of the most cherished dreams I ever had. Despite the challenges, my friends and I turned an old junkyard into a mecca of creativity, culminating in a massive live oak treehouse. This story is not just about the physical structure, but about the bond we formed and the lessons learned along the way.
The Early Dream
From a young age, my brother and I dreamed of a treehouse in our backyard. However, the pecan trees, though plentiful, were far too small to support such a grand idea. We needed something more substantial. Our father, with the help of a friend, obtained four 18-foot telephone poles. He ingeniously embedded these poles into the ground, forming a square, and together we fashioned a spacious, level treehouse. With fold-down beds attached to the walls, a porch with a lockable entry door, and a rear door equipped with a zip line, our makeshift treehouse was a marvel of ingenuity. This was a place where we bonded and had many great times.
The Treehouse as More Than Just a Structure
Our treehouse was more than just a playhouse; it was a symbol of adventure and a space for us to grow. Not only did it provide a platform for our physical and imaginative escapades, but it also symbolized the love and support of our father. He was the mastermind behind this project, and his guidance and creativity brought us this incredible space.
My childhood friend Regina Kimberly, a local reporter, captured the essence of our treehouse in a story that would become a cherished memory. The story and the accompanying photographs included not only my brother and me, but also our friends, creating a moment of photographic magic that still resonates today. The story was so impactful that Regina shared a cherished wooden chair with me, as a memento of her daughter who had passed away but whose spirit seemed to connect us through our shared experiences.
The Move and the End of an Era
As our lives took us to Zanesville, Ohio, my father constructed another one-of-a-kind treehouse when I was almost seven years old. This treehouse, built in a triangular shape attached to three trees, was a unique and special space for me and my siblings and our friends. The joy and camaraderie we felt in this space were indescribable. Knowing our treehouse would be a footnote in my life, it was also a source of great sadness when we moved to Arizona six years later and saw the treehouse's state of disrepair and its tiles no longer level.
A year later, we took a cross-country trip to visit friends, and I anxiously hoped that our treehouse was still standing. It was, but the changes in the trees had made it unstable. Witnessing the dilapidated condition was a poignant moment, reminding me of the passage of time and the impermanence of our shared memories.
The Legacy of Our Treehouse
Through these experiences, my treehouse became a symbol of childhood, creativity, and the bonds we form with family and friends. It taught me the value of perseverance, the importance of collaboration, and the joy of creating something unique and cherished.
Reflecting on these memories is a reminder of the power of DIY projects and the lasting impact they can have on our lives. They are more than just structures; they are moments in time that we carry with us. If you have ever built, or dreamed of building a treehouse, take a moment to appreciate the magic and memories that such an endeavor can create.