November 01, 2010

For The First Time...

Recently I experienced an enchanting occurrence - for the first time, ever. It was a moment that will forever stay etched in my perception, creating an unforgettable recollection to last a lifetime. And beyond.
I felt my body, heart and soul being consumed by this experience, which lingered within me, long after it was gone, to become an eternal, precious memory…

It made me realize how very few “first” we get the privilege to come across as we age and mature and it made me recall fondly all the pristine experiences we encounter as children, as we set upon the journey of life.

There are many memories in my recollection that make up for the very first steps into the unknown. The most vivid ones I can remember fully and completely. Their imprint has left behind a sensation of sounds, scents and sights.

Such as my very first day in school, walking with my parents up to the grand building, which still appears vivid in my memory. I recall the feeling of excitement as well as anxiety, feeling the onset of change, as if nothing was going to be the same ever again.

My first bike ride, the very first one when the safety was removed and I really controlled the bicycle on my own, without the supporting hands of my father or my own feet on the ground. That incredible feeling of achievement and victory.
A very similar sensation to the one I experienced when I learned to swim, in the pristine waters of the turquoise blue Mediterranean on a vacation with my family, when I was about ten. As my small body floated on the surface of the warm water, finally after I have conquered the fear of letting go of the sea bed, trusting my own capabilities and not giving into failures or giving up.

And later in life, the first time I sat behind the wheel of a car. My first flight. The first time I traveled on my own.  My first pay check. The first time I moved out on my own. My first published scientific paper. My first scientific discovery. The feeling of excitement when I signed the deed to my first house…
My first kiss of course, but that came when I was six years old actually, I admit. But the one that really meant something came much later in life and I still remember every single detail about it.

There are indeed many first in my recollection, either of personal, professional or intimate nature. My recent experience though made me realize that a first can occur at any time, at any age. And often when we least expect it. The promise of new wonderful encounters is made by each sunrise.
As after all, each new day we get a privilege to experience is the first one in the rest of our life.

39 comments:

tony said...

It Would Be A Sad Life Without Any More 'Firsts'...... Keep'Em Coming!
IWhat's your earliest memory Zuzana?
I find it strange that before,say 5 years of age, I have no clear memory.Just vague sounds,smell,colours,etc. I wish I could remember more..........
But,Arhhh! THAT first day at School!
Have A Fine Monday Z.

Elizabeth said...

Lets have a chat later.

Enjoy your day.

Reasons said...

Very uplifting post!

Alberto Hugo Rojas said...

thanks for your view and your comment. I hope you would have a nice day in fear. jij. I really liked your post. is very sweet and makes me wonder. in the past and present. thanks. kisses

Brian Miller said...

the fact that you went through all of that and never told us what it was is killing me...lol. i hear you though...we dont often think like this when we are young and first are flying by...then they get more rare...they are good memories though...

Anonymous said...

Firsts will always be the most memorable. though i've forgotten quite a few firsts

Anonymous said...

Zuzana,
Firsts are great, depending on the situation of course. You have had some great firsts there, Z. I can't remember specifically certain firsts, but I do believe today is the "first" day of the rest of our lives and we need to live it to the fullest; I know you do as I. Happy November!
:) The Bach

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Oh so very true! Even a first experienced a second time can be a "first" if we realize that it is not quite the same and it too is to be savored. This is such a tremendous post!! It is a wonderful reflection! Have a grand day! Cathy

Elisabeth said...

It's a tad maudlin perhaps, Zuzana but I suppose eventually our death will be a first. Thanks for a lovely list of much more cheerful firsts.

Velvet Over Steel said...

Beautiful, Zuzana! It really makes us think, remember and Appreciate each and every 'first' in our lives! Awesome post!! Great way to start off my Monday morning here. I'm going to look for all the 'first' this week. Thank you!!!!!

Hugh HUG,
Coreen

Dan said...

I love the idea of continuing to experience 'firsts',. A great post Zuzana.
Dan
-x-

Myrna R. said...

Wish we could experience everything as if it was a first, a heightened awareness of the moment. I loved your post.

Bossy Betty said...

So true! These days I have been focused on a lot of "lasts" so thank you so much for this wonderful reminder!

Anonymous said...

I've read many posts today but I have to say this has been my favourite so far. I loved it. You have brought back some wonderful childhood memories for me and I thank you.

CJ xx

Reading Tea Leaves said...

I love that photo of you as a baby with your dad Zuzana!

Oh this is such a wonderful way of looking at the world - through our experience of 'firsts'. It reminds me of the quote 'let today be the first day of the rest of your life'.

Thank you for sharing these wonderful thoughts with us dear friend.

Jeanne
xox

Anonymous said...

It's true that the older we get, the fewer firsts we have... Although perhaps we should make more effort to collect those firsts, no matter how old we are.

Lovely thoughtful post.

Bhushavali said...

Firsts.... Makes me think of my firsts... I'm thinking, I'm recollecting, I'm re-living!!! Wow... Thanks for making me think of it all!!!

My Best Friend's TADA Trip
The Pleated Top to Office

Rajesh said...

Very interesting post. First experience is always special.

Hilary said...

I've experienced a few firsts over the past decade too. I know what you're saying. Firsts never do grow old. And like Elizabeth said upstream in the comments, let's have a chat. ;)

Kath said...

"Firsts" keep us young and excited, I guess that's why I thrive on change. Lovely post, I enjoyed this very much.

indicaspecies said...

Very well written. It reminded me of a post I had written years back reminiscing about my childhood and is titled Nostalgia. Have a lovely day.

Cat in the road said...

If you think about it we experience firsts, some more significant than other, every day of our lives. Even death itself is a first.
-
Once, some 40 years ago, I practiced a form of meditation. During one of those sessions I ventured to a place I know was real but not like anything on this planet.
-
It scared me out of my trance, but I instantly wanted to go back. I have yet to be able to relive that encounter. I know now that it was a gift that may have been a first and last moment that I will carry with me thought out my life.

A Plain Observer said...

unfortunately, I have only appreciated the first after the second, third and eleventh came. Sometimes, many of those experiences came at diffult times thus, the moment was lost in the need of the moment.

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

Our lives are indeed not static, always changing and the hope of new "first" experiences. I loved remembering back my many firsts with you --but alas, I never really learned to swim well. That will not likely happen now as I am so nearsighted and swimming when I cannot see well around me seems a bit frightening! Still, I look forward to other new "firsts" to come!

sprinkles said...

You know, a lot of my childhood is all mixed up. I don't remember things very clearly or I'll remember things happening in a different time or place than they really were. I chalk it up to moving so often until I was a teenager.

It's amazing to me how many first we have all throughout our lives as things change. For instance, I'll have another first day of school soon!

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

SUSPENSE and MYSTERY Zuzana! You are a naughty one!

The photo of you as a baby is enchanting...that is your father? Oh what a wonderful photograph to have in your possession! I enjoyed this VERY much!

Kat_RN said...

Yes, I have to agree, the more we do, the fewer firsts we can have. You however, will still have lots of lovely firsts, because you pay attention to life and that my friend is wonderful.
Had to look at your fall flamboyance post an extra time, so pretty.
Kat

Maja Miusow said...

U have such an amazing talent for searching interesting topics Zuzana, interesting and pushing to think some things over. have a wonderful week! thank U for this kind comment, its so important for me to hear some nice opinions on time to time;) x

jean luc said...

It's impossible to forget all first time , good and bad moments ;)
Wonderful post , again one time , Zuzana !
Bisous :-)

Nessa said...

Beautiful post, Zuzana. Firsts do indeed make life a special joy.

Claus said...

Gosh! now I'm wondering what your latest FIRST was!! Any chance of sharing that in here with all of us?! ;o)
I'm not good on remembering beginnings, either good or bad. I remember the experience as a whole, but not with exact detail how it began. Strangely, I know how things ended, which is rather odd. I remember how my first trip on plane ended; how my graduation from school and university was (the end of a goal), the last day of my family being one of 4 people; the day my puppies along my life have passed away. Strange, don't you think? Since I'm afraid of change, could it be the reason why I don't remember firsts? Probably the attention is focused on trying to survive the moment of change, and I miss on the FIRST experience. I need to work on that and change it!!
Great post Zuzana! from it, I think we can tell your recent first was a happy one, and I'm happy about you :o)
have a great day!!

SandyCarlson said...

You fill me with hope. Thank you.

S. Susan Deborah said...

Wow, Zuzana, I absolutely enjoyed soaking in this post. This post not only engaged me with your thoughts but even took me to the many 'firsts' of my life so far. It is quite a delicious feeling when we think back on our 'firsts' and how we responded when we went through that feeling. I can still feel the warmth of that first (long) kiss. And as you have rightly mentioned, the 'firsts' can come anytime in our life irrespective of age and time. The first blog post . . . The day I first started visiting your blog . . .

I can't get enough of the 'firsts.'

A big hug for this post and another big hug for you!

Much love,
Susan

steviewren said...

I never thought about age vs diminishing firsts in our lives, but you are right. Just as you are right to recognize that a first can come anytime in life as well.

I'm excited for you that you experienced such a beautiful thing recently and were cognizant of it's importance.

You've awakened me to the possibilities in my life as well. You've reminded me that we've always got something to look forward to.

Zuzana said...

Tony, Elizabeth, Joanne, Alberto, Brian, artswebshow, The Bach, Cathy, Elisabeth, Coreen, Dan, Myrna, Betty, CJ, Jeanne, ladyfi, Bhushavali, Rajesh, Hilary, Kath, indicaspecies (welcome), Scribe, Myriam, C or V, sprinkles, Jill, Kat, maja, jean luc, Nessa, Claudia, Sandy, Susan and Stevie – I am glad that I reminded you of the multitude of your “firsts”, all those beautiful moments in your past.

I believe that the magic of every sunrise can be a first, no matter how old we are. Even if there is less and less of something absolutely novel to experience as we grow older, some first come in any shape and form, at any age…

Thank you everyone for your endlessly kind words and your lovely visits that make my day. They honestly do.;))

Xoxo
Zuzana

adrielleroyale said...

I think the only one that I really remember and cherish was my first kiss with my first serious boyfriend (who after a couple years after a break up wound up becoming my husband). I think I had waited for it for what felt like SO long that it just meant all the more, and no other kiss has matched it or surpassed it. Wonderful reflection...

Thank you so much for your kind words too, they really are truly appreciated :)

young-eclectic-encounters said...

Wonderful post. I agree with you we can learn and grow and have firsts no matter what are age and as I have grown older I have learned to seek out opportunities for learning and firsts. I t keeps my life interesting and exciting.
Johnina :^A

Roger Gauthier said...

Touching, and so true. Thank you for this wonderful post. Nowadays, I prefer to remember days long gone rather than the last few years.

Roger

Zuzana said...

adrielle, Johnina and Roger, thank you kindly, I am so happy you enjoyed this post.
xo