Happy Memorial Day

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY...and since today is a day about memories, admiration, and respect for our veterans and for all those that have made a difference in our lives, past or present, I wanted to reshare a post my mother wrote years ago which is fitting for this day.  It is entitled, "And Long May She Wave."  Be safe, be well, and remember to enjoy your day!

@Jim Terry, taken at San Francisco National Cemetery

♦ Hope you'll let us share your stories and photos here at our residence "In a Nutshell." Email us at nutshellstories@gmail.com.  

Remember When...by Jim Terry

Ok, so who is tired of staying at home due to this thing they call a shelter-in-place or quarantine?  And I’m definitely not trying to minimize the effect that COVID-19 has had on people’s lives and our economies worldwide, but I have to admit it’s beginning to wear on me a bit. I do feel very fortunate that I have, right across the street, a trail that leads up the mountain to get out and hike, “social distance “ and remain sane in the pandemic we are currently experiencing.  Exercise, fresh air, and sunlight do the body, and the mind, good.  And while I am on these hikes, it gives me a chance to catch up on my photography, refocus myself and to think of and ask myself questions like…”Remember when?” 

Remember when gasoline, and I hate to say it as it will date me, was $.89 a gallon?  I specifically remember this from my high school days because I was helping to pay for my own gas. 

My wage at the time being a “fry boy” at a local fast-food chain, Arctic Circle, was a whopping $4.25 an hour. So for one who is mathematically inclined and being a bit frugal with my money over the years, I then came to the conclusion that one gallon of gasoline equated to 25% of my income after taxes of course. And that didn’t include my “huge” car payment that was $125.15 or my insurance, which was a bit higher than that. 

Remember when music was downright good?  And when I say that you need to know that I am definitely an 80ties boy.  A time when auto-tune was not an option to make an artist sound better than what they are.  When what you heard is what you got…and, if I might add, it was GOOD! 

When big hair, bandanas, leg warmers, stretch pants, spandex, parachute pants, and shoulder pads ruled the fashion of the day…”Gnarly!”  When terms like Preppies, Break-dancers, Jocks, Valley Girls, Nerds, Skaters, Hoods, Losers, Wavers, and Goths controlled the “vocab” of those that might also say, “Totally tubular” or “Gag me with a spoon.”

Remember when you had your first crush and how that made you feel?  When that someone either glanced at you with a smile or said, “Hello,” for the first time?

Remember when you, with the help of a parent, sibling, or friend, were able to ride your first bike without training wheels? The elation and excitement I personally experienced that day is something I will always cherish and remember from my childhood memories.

Remember when you were able to walk across that stage and accept your first, second, or, with some of my acquaintances and friends, your third diploma? And remember how that made you feel accomplished, talented, and capable all at the same time?

And with all of these “remember when” memories, I want to ask you do you remember when your mother held your hand for the first time? Do you remember when your mother made all of those meals for you over the years without complaint, grievance, or grumble? Do you remember when your mother kissed your first “owie” better and how that made it so much better? Do you remember?

So on this day of memories or “remember when” I will advise you to “REMEMBER” your mother on Mother’s Day.  Remember her and honor her for all of the “remember whens” that I know she was a part of. Remember when she stayed up and the countless hours of worrying when we were out too late? Remember when she provided unconditional love in spite of our faults, blunders, and errors throughout our lifetime? Remember when she provided the taxi service to all of our dance, sport or music lessons? Remember when you found her that day, in her room crying because she felt like she might not be doing the best job she can as a mother? Remember when…  

My beautiful mother, Marlene.

And to honor my mother who started this blog and who is no longer here with us, I will remember when you helped me with my homework. I will remember when you made the “boogeyman” go away. I will remember when you comforted me in my sadness. I will remember when I realized how much of an influence you had been in my life and always will be. I will remember when you jokingly told me, several times in my life, to, “Live long and prosper.” And even though we all know of your love of Star Trek through your previous blogs and this phrase now being a bit of a cliché, I know now that it also was meant with real intent and love. Lastly, and this one is not a "remember when" but a simple, “I will always remember you!  “I love and miss you, Mom, with all of my heart!”  

And for all of those reading today, please contemplate and think about this last quote and statement. With all of the memories, the laughs, the tears, and the happiness that is created when you remember when, always realize that... "Behind all your stories is your mother's story, because hers is where yours begins." ~Mitch Albom.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL THE MOTHERS OUT THERE!!!

♦ Hope you'll let us share your stories and photos here at our residence "In a Nutshell." Email us at nutshellstories@gmail.com.