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?