an imaginative child

[lizziebelle]

When I was little, I had three imaginary friends. Never one to do things in a small way, me. Their names were Ernie, Bird, and Hatusan. I'm not sure how Hatusan's name was spelled, as I couldn't read or write yet; it was pronounced hah-too-SAHN. Lest you think I got the idea for the names from Sesame Street, let me remind you that this was years before that program started. I did (still do) have an uncle named Ernie, but he was not the inspiration for my friend. I don't remember a time before they were around; I'll have to ask my mother, but they may even predate my sister, who was born when I was two and a half.

We had many adventures, the four of us. We explored my grandparents' farm, looking for ripe berries and dinosaur bones (which were probably cow bones, but try and tell that to a little kid). Grand adventures were to be had in the cornfield and the garden (where we stole peas and ate them right out of the pod). Being the oldest child, I often had to amuse myself, and I've always had a vivid imagination.

I don't remember what they looked like back then, but later on, I imagined them as crows (I suspect watching the show Heckle & Jeckle had something to do with that). When I was four, we moved way upstate to Keeseville, and the gang came with us. That's where we were joined by Bird's friend (he never had a name), who lived on Poke-O-Moonshine, a nearby mountain. Look at the picture of it in the article: that's exactly what I remember it looking like.

I don't remember when I stopped believing in Ernie, Bird, and Hatusan (and Bird's friend). It was probably around the time I started school. But I still thought about them for years, wondering where I came up with them, and that crazy name, Hatusan. It sounds sort of Japanese, or maybe Aztec. Were they memories of past lives? Local spirits? Or just the imaginings of a creative kid looking for playmates? I still have a vivid imagination, but I put it to other uses now. I do sort of miss having those companions, though.

Comments

[thoughtsbykat.livejournal.com]

You had quite an imagination when you were a child. This is a nice memoir. It's interesting to wonder where you came up with the names of your friends. I remember asking my daughter the name of her doll(she was 3 or 4) and she didn't hesitate and said, Valentina. I have no idea where she came up with that name.

[lizziebelle.livejournal.com]

That's awesome!