Humans logo

Memory Snaps

Takes me back

By Lee NaylorPublished 2 years ago 4 min read
1

Growing old in body, the years slipping by as quickly as I let them. The older I get the quicker they seem to speed by. Memories pop up and I sometimes look at them with different eyes, thinking, "That is really me?" Some of the things I have done have been pretty great. Others just lessons to get through. Get through I do.

Taking pride in things that were left undone, tying up all the loose ends and learning the lessons. I am not the girl I was back then but without her I wouldn't be who I am today.

Childhood in the 70's were simple it seemed in my young mind. School during the day, the summers all our own. Not care or a worry in the world. Fewer planes dumping poisons into the air. Less stress and hate. Maybe it was all still there I was just too young to notice.

I have discovered that my parents were living their own paths, just trying to navigate through. It didn't work out for them and they were miserable together. I didn't grow up in love. I didn't grow up with all the money and privilage one might think of the neighbor in which we lived. I still remember it as being pretty good.

We went to National Parks for vacations and my brothers and I put the seat down in the station wagon and layed all out sleeping while we drove there. No seatbelts were needed.

On Saturday mornings we ate bowls of cereal while we watched cartoons and then we headed to the great out doors where we spent our time riding our bikes around the neighborhood, building clubhouses, playing in the river at the park, and laying in the field at the church, staring at the ever changing clouds finding everything our imaginations could come up with.

Summer was long and lazy. It smelled of flowers and watermelon. Long lazy days watching tv and hanging out with friends. Sleepovers and camping trips.

The 80's creeped in a left us growing up with parents who all had to work to make ends meet, we left for school and let ourselves in when we got home. We made snacks and watched tv.

The seasons each had their time and it was easy to focus on the now. The 80's were full of neon color and Madonna's like a virgin. Our sweatshirts hung off our shoulders and our leggings had stirrups on them to hold them down into our boots that were usually slouchy and black sometimes with fringe.

Sneaking out windows and Friday shenanigans. Hanging out in empty apartments, playing quarters and getting drunk. My brother would have jungle juice parties and I'd outdrink all his friends every time.

Baby sitting to make money for spending, knowing the parents were barely scraping by, they never let us forget it. Learning that doing what you want and asking later is the easiest way to live your life. Following rules only when needed. Rebels through and through.

Came home when the street lights came on and watched, Starsky and Hutch, Mash, Threes company. Playing Pac Man and trading off when our hands were cramping up. Keeping it rolling all day.

In the summer we climbed the cherry tree eating cherries and talking all day long. In the fall we picked fruit off the trees at our Grandparents house, then we took it to our other Grandma who bottled it for future eating. A skill I wish now that I had learned, probably be coming in handy.

Skipping school and playing pool at the diner while we drank endless cups of coffee until we shook from the caffeine jitters. We bought cigerettes in the machine for probably a quarter of what they cost now. Chain smoking and listening to music on the juke box.

Learning to drive during the summer, early in the morning. Getting my license and driving around. Working at the grocery store, bagging groceries and getting carts.

Leaving school early to get our checks, getting donuts and drinks and hanging out all day with the music blasting. The days seemed to last forever. The future was still so exciting to think about.

Working at the haunted house, scaring all the people, living the excitement of the fright. The building was more exciting than the spook but the freindships made and memories of the after hour coffee sprees and the parties we attended.

Learning about the birds and the bees, learning about life on our own wasn't much different except now there were bills to pay. First apartment was cramped with four of us girls. We were all there at different times of day and didn't see much of each other. It was bliss.

Moving in with the future Father of my children. Working the service desk at a retail store and learning the skills that would take me through life, one job after another.

There are memories we remember and then there are memories that just pop into our head years later and always at a moment when we are feeling lost, or confused or even extra happy. These are memories that are here to teach us something. They will pop up to say, "see you do deserve".

Memories are snapshots of our lives lived. Our souls searching for the path that leads us to the next lifetime. Every choice we make takes us to a timeline that gets us one step closer to healing and ascending and becoming the wonderful, magic, loved, worthy person we are today.

Memories. The only things we take with us when we go.

vintage
1

About the Creator

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.