I found so many old memories in folders the other day when I was cleaning. One of my throwback Thursday photos posted on Facebook today was of my best friend Mary Ann Mallette and I playing dress up....I think maybe we were in kindergarten or first grade....the high heels, and the fake leather purses....and the dolls dressed up the same....tea parties, mud pies, dolls, pretend!!!!!
The innocence of youth and a less complicated time...the early 60's where we were oblivious to all that was happening in the world...until one day around lunch time when we were told not to come back to school that someone had shot the President. I remember going home and watching the news coverage, I remember the tears from Walter Cronkite as he announced President Kennedy had died. I remember watching the people, throngs and throngs of them sobbing uncontrollably....wondering why it was so sad. I never got my answer until many years later...wisdom.
Never understanding the Vietnam war, never understanding the liberation of women who burned their bras...growing up with the music of passionate people like Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Peter, Paul and Mary...yet not understanding what they sang about...until many years later..wisdom.
You know, we all go through so many different phases in our lives....birth, early childhood, pre-teen, teen, young adult,marriage, divorce, children, diseases, death of parents/spouses/friends, middle age...approaching 60!!!!! I truly never thought I'd get to this age. I never thought I'd see past 30! Older
So an older and wiser me....as of midnight tonight...is still a kid at heart....I still love watching it snow, regardless of how much I complain about winter....I love singing to familiar tunes and driving my son crazy as we drive down the road...I love licking the icing out of the insides of the Oreos, and a lot more things too numerous to mention! Older...
So, tomorrow...a request...somehow get in touch with your inner child and enjoy a thought, a smile or a memory of a younger day....AND don't forget to come see me at the US Bank in Amana from 3-5 where I will be signing and selling copies of Bittersweet....there will even be treats....dark chocolate brownie bites....and some dark chocolate chow (like puppy chow without the powdered sugar and peanut butter), after all, we ARE celebrating ALL THINGS BITTERSWEET! :) Hugs and love to all.