While working out this evening, I began thinking about all the special "things" I cherished as a teenager. For example, there was my diary, a potpourri of hopes and dreams. Insights and personal analogies. How I saw the world 45 years ago.
I reflect on my cherished Beatles’ albums, the poster of Ringo” I won at a dance contest on Miami Beach; and another poster of one of my then favorite actors, David Hemmings. I wish I had also kept my Junior High School yearbooks. They too, are gone.
My father, not one for showing affection or sharing feelings, wrote me a postcard on a business trip from Japan. It read, “miss you and wish you were here.” I think about that postcard all the time. I could just kick myself for not tucking it away. A few odd and ends survived, mostly jewelry passed down from mother to daughter. Funny that I cherished the scrapbooks, photos, diary and music over the jewelry.
After we sold the house and my parents' split up, I shared a little apartment with my mother .. We moved a couple of times, and I suspect either they were lost in the move, or more likely, thrown out.
I would have enjoyed reading my diary, and the albums would be worth something today. More importantly, they were my treasures at the time. I wish I had paid more attention, and had been more responsible.
I made "baby books" for my children. Sadly, they did the same thing; left them with their father for safekeeping. I hope that in 45 years they have something to treasure, and that they didn't make the mistake I did.
When we're young, we tend to push aside anything that isn't important to us at that moment. I suppose we all grow more sentimental with age. I certainly have.
For now, I just relish the memories.
I reflect on my cherished Beatles’ albums, the poster of Ringo” I won at a dance contest on Miami Beach; and another poster of one of my then favorite actors, David Hemmings. I wish I had also kept my Junior High School yearbooks. They too, are gone.
My father, not one for showing affection or sharing feelings, wrote me a postcard on a business trip from Japan. It read, “miss you and wish you were here.” I think about that postcard all the time. I could just kick myself for not tucking it away. A few odd and ends survived, mostly jewelry passed down from mother to daughter. Funny that I cherished the scrapbooks, photos, diary and music over the jewelry.
After we sold the house and my parents' split up, I shared a little apartment with my mother .. We moved a couple of times, and I suspect either they were lost in the move, or more likely, thrown out.
I would have enjoyed reading my diary, and the albums would be worth something today. More importantly, they were my treasures at the time. I wish I had paid more attention, and had been more responsible.
I made "baby books" for my children. Sadly, they did the same thing; left them with their father for safekeeping. I hope that in 45 years they have something to treasure, and that they didn't make the mistake I did.
When we're young, we tend to push aside anything that isn't important to us at that moment. I suppose we all grow more sentimental with age. I certainly have.
For now, I just relish the memories.
