My childhood is dying...
a lament and a plea
/
My childhood is dying
I see it on the news
My youthful memories fading
Feels like a spreading bruise
Each death like a nasty sucker punch
Each landmark closed deals pain
My heart feels heavy, my mind a fog
A soul-deep, never-ending strain
Does anyone remember when?
Do new generations even care?
Who wants to reminisce with me
When life isn't playing fair?
Let's blast some Petty, Prince and Turner
Binge episodes of Friends and M*A*S*H
It always feels like a coming home, a comfort
To revel in those glory days gone past
I want to stroll through Kiddie City
Have my frown turned upside down
Spend a Friday night at a roller rink
Sporting Jordache jeans, skating 'round
We can revel in Three's Company
Watch the latest from Night Court
Beg for Calgon to 'take us away'
Before the latest news report
Instead we wake to 'in memoriam'
Or reports of 'closing soon'
I try to plug the pieces of my soul
Sliced away by the gloom and doom
Maybe if you come and join me
In remembering them all
It would be a start to healing
With a step that starts so small
But grows and grows til new memories
Are made, while sharing those held dear
A fresh set of moments to reflect on
That get us through the waning years
So take my hand and let's settle in to
Watch the brilliance of The Golden Girls
Close our eyes and sway to Olivia's smooth croon
And let the beauty of yesteryear unfurl
Reflect on those Afterschool Specials
That taught us hard lessons, helped us grow
Share the past several decades of culture
With our children so they'll have no doubt, they'll know
That the future is important
The present vital too
Yet we can't forget what came before
It shapes us all–including me and you
____________________________________________________
Thank you for reading! Just feeling sad with so many favorite artists passing away or seeing reminders online of things I used to love experiencing, shows, songs, stores, etc.
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Comments (38)
Dear Heather; aka~'h' - I miss your brilliant wit so much; and of course sarcasm. I know you said you're working on so many projects. But, I always look forward to you bringing smiles to me and all of your Village Mates. But I want to take a moment to tell you how much I've enjoyed reading ALL of your presentations this year; really learn a lot from you. You even helped to inspire me to write the little 'Schtickle' of a story 'Baby Mamas' from this with thoughts of your 'Family Stories' and 'UpBringing'...so sue me for stealin' your ideas. We really all do pick up ideas from one and another; for better or worse. To Quote you BackAtchU, "But it brought you in, Jay"...So good and SO Heather to Quip like that. Special memories will never be replaced - often not terrific at the time - but, the memories come popping out during this season. HaPpy Holidays to you, my Village Bunkmate, (metaphorically writing) and to your lovely brood! Just 'j' Jay Kantor, Chatsworth, California 'Senior' Vocal Author - Vocal Village Community -
This was incredible Heather! Really brought me back. The last generation of outside players and no phone havers I miss those days so much
This is stunning, Heather! Although not all the memories are there for me, because there are some references I recognise, but the ones I do, hit hard and gave me that nostalgic and sad feelings! Congrats on Top Story for this and sorry it took me so long to get to it! :) cinquante mille
Oh my goodness, this is amazing, Heather! You just touched on so many memories! What a beautiful and nostalgic piece! It’s so hard to grow up, but just makes it harder when we lose such impactful people. Loved this so much! 💫💞
Welp, I’m crying. It’s hard enough to grow up. To age. To lose your youth. But when the things from your youth age and grow and die as well. It’s brutal honestly. Change can be great. But degradation, deterioration, and becoming a thing of a past that is fading into nothing. It’s like a second death. I loved every line. Fiends and mash. Prince, turner and petty. Yes girl! The new generations seriously have no idea. I have seen that each year the younger ones care less and less for what came before. For me the songs and people of my mothers youth are still a piece of me as well. But the generations now. It’s so disconnected. Sad. Blah. Well deserved TS my friend. I remember it with you.
Congratulations on top story! ❤️ Well deserved!🎉🎉🎉
Amazing poem so delicate yet powerful to read!!
Each one you lifted up, a treasure held dear by me.
😢 I feel like this similarly quite a lot! I find it overwhelming at times, like I can’t return, but I just don’t like so much of our current culture and ‘advances’ and its dastardly effects on us. Things very rarely feel simple anymore. Not that we didn’t have some problems before sure..and I know in hindsight we tend to look through things with those rose coloured glasses, but that cannot deny the fact that many are not satisfied by what is! So I found this really relatable and thoughtful, thanks ☺️ 🙏 ..ps I watched all of golden girls for the first time over 2.5 years before going to bed most nights. It helped me sleep and relax and laugh…so when it sadly ended for me a few months ago, I just started it up all over again lol! 😁😆 Congrats on your awesome top story Heather.
Yayyyyy I'm back to say congratulations on your Top Story!
Talk about nostalgia and the pang of sadness at knowing, soon so many will not know the references we make that once were "pop-culture"... Both sad and heart warming! Great work Heather and congrats on Top Story!
That brought out the warm fuzzies for me. Great job as usual Congratulations
Another out of the park...great job
This is deep ♥️💯😉📝✌️Congratulations on your Top Story🎉
Could I love this more? So well crafted, Heather. And no, I could not. You touched on so many of my favorites. And the Jordache jeans at the rink - memories of 'truckin' came flooding back. Congrats on the Top Story
Beautifully done, Heather. I believe we all need to slow down some times and remember. Congrats on the Top Story.
Congrats, Empress ❤
Outstanding piece with truly unique and emotional content
Thank you for your marvelous remembrance. I believe as long as we remember and share, they aren't really gone. It still aches down deep in our souls, though.
Read this...thought I'd commented. Didn't-sorry! Thoughtful and interesting to read -It seems sometimes we spend out entire adult lives saying goodbye and wondering where it all went x 🤍 Congratulations on Top Story 🤍
i had forgotten the after school specials and i loved the roller rink. brought back good memories
Loved reading this!
This is the "Breaking News!" generation, and the news ain't good.
Good ol' days
Schoolhouse Rock and BIG time feels! I am grateful beyond measure that you wrote and shared this Heather. It does feel like a time slipping away into oblivion. But WE lived it! Between The Jeffersons and penny-candy and everyone in the neighbourhood who looked out for you and trust that was earned and so tangible and firm that it was hard to slice it with a knife. Connecting with those who remember helps. Thank you, my friend!