Remember: Bundle Up

     I remember a time when I actually enjoyed the cold weather.  When I was little I couldn't wait for it to snow. I used to turn my pajamas inside out and pray for snow. Snow meant a day off from school to play outside. My favorite cold weather memory is from my grandparents' property in Pennsylvania.  When we were young we used to plead with our grandparents to battle the snow and make the 3 hour journey up there.  We would depart Nutley and as we traveled northwest the weather always got colder and colder. Until our destination was met, we arrived at the gates to our property.
      We were always anxious to get our snow gear on and go play, but had to help unload the car and put things away.  This one time I went out and wanted to build a snow man, but not just any snow man a giant snowman. I started with the head and just kept rolling and rolling until I found it to be of a sufficient size. Eventually, my Grandpa came out to help because I could no longer roll the huge balls of snow.  Then we assembled him and I ran to get sticks to use as arms. My Grandma let me use a carrot for the nose and real buttons for his jacket! Then rocks were put on for his eyes and mouth. However, my Grandpa had to do the face decorations because I couldn't reach the snowman's head. In my imagination this was the biggest snowman ever created. In actuality, I was little so that probably made my perspective off. I doubt the snowman was as big as I thought, but in my memory he is larger than life.
     Every time the frigid winter air makes me shiver I remember how I used to enjoy the cold.  As I impatiently await the warmth of summer I reminisce about the fun I used to have in the snow. What are some of your cold weather memories?

                                                         This isn't my snowman

Hardest Things to Remember

    I find names to be amongst the hardest things to remember. Especially when meeting a bunch of new people at the same time, all the names can be overwhelming . I remember peoples faces, and where I've seen them before, and sometimes even conversations I have had with that person and still their name can escape me.
     I also do not remember things that I subconsciously or consciously deem unimportant, usually facts relating to schoolwork.  We learn many things that we will not use. So if a lesson bores me I usually don't remember the subject matter that was covered.
      If I have to go shopping to specific things I have to write a grocery list and just like Santa I have to check it twice, sometimes I forget to write things on the list. There have been many times that I get to the store and realize I've forgotten my list. I do the best I can, but usually end up forgetting something. This could have to do with the fact that I hate the ShopRite in my town so I am always rushing to get out of there.
      What are some things that you have difficulty remembering and why do you think that is so?

Days That Will Live on in Infamy

        Today, December 7th, is just a regular day for most people of our generation. We wake up, get dressed, and then go to class. However, for that of older generations, December 7th will always stand out in their minds. Sixty-nine years ago, December 7th, 1941, the United States Naval Base Pearl Harbor located in Hawaii was bombed by 353 Japanese planes. The result was the death of 2,402 military personnel, 1,247 soldiers wounded, 57 civilians died and 35 civilians were wounded, including millions of dollars in damage.  This is a day, for those who were alive at the time, will remember forever. 

        The day for our generation that had the same magnitude on the country as Pearl Harbor, would be September 11th, 2001.  However. it is arguable that 9/11 was even worse because it was an attack solely on civilians with no intentions on hindering the United States' military.  Terrorists killed close to 3,000 people between the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the hijacked plane that crash landed in Pennsylvania. We all have memories of the tragic events that happened on September 11th. Personally, I remember what I was doing in school, when my mom pulled my brothers and I out of class. I remember being afraid because we did not know where my dad was.  He is an Essex County Sheriff's Officer, and his department thought the entire country was under attack due to all the false reports and threats that were coming through. For awhile we did not know where he was or what he was doing, until he called and said he was at Newark airport, which was safe, but chaotic. Latter we got a call that he was in Hoboken helping direct those who were injured off the ferries and he did not come home until late in the night. I also remember going over to my grandparents' house because my mom had to go to work.  My grandmother's sister came over with my cousin, who is around our age, and they kicked us outside to play.  It was a beautiful day, but what I remember most was the eerie silence because there was no airplanes flying, only the few military planes patrolling the skies.

        I am sure that you all have memories of that day in September. What were you doing? and what are some you felt on that day? 

On days of such national importance it is important that we remember those who have lost their lives and the soldiers who are defending our freedom today. Always remember America is great!!

Sensing a Memory

         Have you ever been going about your daily activities and all of a sudden smell something and you are instantly transported to a past time? Do scents or perceptions from other senses bring back memories? For example whenever I smell coconuts I instantly think of summer and the beach.  Particularly, my fist vacation in Aruba. My family was going for two weeks and this was back in the good old days when each passenger was allowed to check two suitcases for free! So, of course, we all over-packed. Now the sun tan lotion we normally used barely had a scent, but as we were ready to walk out the door to the beach my mom proclaimed that she forgot suntan lotion. My dad had to go down to the little convenience store and buy some. They had some strange brand that I doubt is available in the States, but it is the most decadent suntan lotion I have ever smelled. It was a unique tropical coconut blend so, now whenever I smell coconuts I think of Aruba.
         Especially when I was younger, I used to frequently go up to my grandparents' property in Pennsylvania. My grandparents lived in Nutley, but this plot of land served as a weekend getaway and hunting ground for my grandfather. My cousins and I had many great nights roasting marshmallows and relaxing around the outside fire-pit. To this day whenever I feel the warmth on my skin and the crackling in my ears that only comes from a wood burning fire I remember the many nights of my childhood.
         What sights, smells, sounds or sensations bring back memories for you?

Sad Memories

          Does thinking about memories ever make you sad? Memories are the only thing we have that lasts forever. Life and the world is always changing, but at the end of each day we shall always have our memories. Sometimes this is a good thing because when bad things end we would rather be stuck with the memories than to have the tough times continue.  But, on the contrary, we would rather have pleasant times go on forever, never ending and becoming memories.

          Being more of a "dog person" I never had the desire to see the play Cats, but in high school one of my group projects focused on musicals and Cats was one of them.  The song Memories is sung by an aging cat who remembers her lost glorious days of glamor. She ponders how time goes by, making even the present become a memory. She is happy as she relives the memories of her past, but knows they are gone and never to be recaptured.  But it is important for us to remember that even as the night ends on certain eras a new day is breaking for us to create memories in. It is nice to reminisce, but we can't get stuck in the past, we should live in the present and dream about the future.

The Makings of a Memory

         Do you ever walk into a place or start something you know you will remember forever? Today I went to Giants Stadium to watch my brother play in the high school football state championships.  It was the first time Nutley has made it this far in the playoffs since 1992. Not only am I proud of him, I also revel at the experience the whole team must have had.  For someone who's life revolves around football, this was a chance in a lifetime.  I can only imagine what it must have felt like to take those first exhilarating steps onto the field, walking out of the tunnel into the massive stadium, playing on the same field that the current stars of football run across; it surely was a game dreamed about and an opportunity well deserved.  I assume it is every dedicated high school football player's aspiration to make it to the pros, but most will not. This day will become a story they will tell their grandchildren as they boastfully remember the days gone by.  However, I guess you can say the story does not have a happy ending. They lost, quite badly with a score of 40-6; so, they also will remember the "if onlys..." that could have won them the game.  But, it will still be a day that is carved into their memories and the opportunity of a lifetime I am glad my brother got to have.    
          So what constitutes that making of a memory?  Surely, it is when a dream comes true, but also things that are not so monumental are embedded in our minds.  I remember some specific great times I have had with my friends. Days filled with so much laughter and pleasantries that you wish they would never end. But, the hands of time stop for no one, so these days are left to my memories. What makes a memory for you? Have you had any days so special, or even so sad, that you never will forget?

A Place of Memories

        

           I just finished watching an old TV show with my dad.  He loves to order old series on netflix and this one is set up much like that of the twilight zone, but begins with an introduction in an art gallery.  The episode was centered around a man who was suffering a life well past its prime and was haunted by the memories of better times.  He was on the downward fall off the corporate ladder; on his 25th anniversary with the company his back stabbing assistant directer was promoted as the main character was being phased out of the company.  His wife died 18 years ago and now he was being left with nothing. His fits of drunkenness escalated because Tim Reilly's Bar & Grill was being torn down.  At this bar were the happiest times of his life; it was a place of friends and family and the first date with his wife was there.  The specific memory that was recurring was the day he returned home from serving in WWII.  His family had a surprise party for him there. Constant flashbacks were occurring of all his loved ones singing "for he's a jolly good fellow" to him.  He returned the the vacated bar a few time to relive the happy memories, but he was forced to awake to the harsh reality that the times had changed and his loved ones were gone. It does have a positive ending when the company has a party for him and he once again begins to feel appreciated. 
           For the character Tim Reilly's Bar represented all the good times of his life and his memories were entangled with the structure.  The Bar served as a reminder of the days gone by.  Even though those days could never be recaptured it was comforting to know the place associated still existed; going there or seeing it puts a smile on your face as you remember the past.  In a sense it validated and verified your fond memories.  With the knowledge that the place is being torn down comes great dread.  It is almost like the abrupt ending of an error.  The place that for you holds so much memories is being destroyed and it is disheartening to see that happen.  You think that with the demolition of the building there is a great chance that your memories will diminish as well.  But, memories live on in our hearts forever.
           There was this amazing park in my town not too far away from my house.  Its official name is Nichols park, but to use kids it was called "the wooden park" or "the castle park".  It was very unique, an all wood structure with many tunnels and passages leading to the three steeples.  A cutout area in the decking featured a hidden tire swing.  Running through the part one climbed up rope nets and could jump on tires grouped together so they formed a cylinder and ride them like a horse.There was a small zip line type handle bar that could safely get you across the pit of crocodiles and a rocking wooden platform that was a ship on rough seas.  As you can tell this was my favorite park and I spent countless hours playing there as a child. However, for numerous "safety hazards" they closed and later tour down the park.  This happened a couple of years ago, but like the character in the show I was saddened to see the park go because it was a place that I associate many memories with.  It has now been replaced by the generic tan and green plastic jungle gym found in so many parks.  The new playground looks dwarfed on the vast expanse that once served as the kingdom to my castle.
              Do you have a specific place which is home to many of your memories?

Earliest Memories

             From birth the world is completely new to us.  We experience an onslaught of sights, sounds, sensations which startle us.  It has to be very difficult for a baby because every waking moment they are essentially learning new things. Then, as toddlers, they start to learn to walk and assign words with objects.  It is interesting that we do not have memories of our first moments of life or even of our first couple of years.  It is apparent that the infant is learning things and this knowledge becomes subconscious actions in our adult life. We do not look directly into the sun, but at some point we did and it hurt our eyes.  We learned from the painful experience and now we know not to look into the sun. However, learning is different than remembering; true, learning is a type of memorizing, but it is different than the remembering of  places, people, and events.  The lack of memories of our first birthday or the first time, as babies, we were taken to meet Aunt So-and-So differs from learning not to look at the sun.  But why don't we remember all of our childhood?   Maybe our brains are not completely formed as to be able to retain the details of everyday life.  Or maybe they are too overwhelmed by the task of learning EVERYTHING that they do not have the space to commit details that are unnecessary for survival. 
          Personally, I have very few memories from before I was four.  They are more like little bits and pieces with all of the specifics missing.  The first house I lived in, my family moved from when I was three and the dog, Sandy, my dad had when I was born died when I was a little over two.  I remember being in a little Fisher Price red car, that we had for years, in the backyard of that house and Sandy sticking her head in and me hugging her around the neck.  But that is it, I don't remember what day it was,  the time of day, or what the weather was like, or even who was watching me playing in the yard.  These short, vague remembrances are my earliest memory. What is your first childhood memory and why can't you remember the rest?