Yes, I've been doing lots of remembering these past few weeks. My sister, Kerry, was here the last week in August for a week's stay. It was great having her, however, I couldn't help but remember the time she came down in 2010. That visit was so wonderful, I had fun watching her have fun! It was just awesome. She worked a hateful job at that time (much like this time, actually) and her break in the FL sun was much needed and welcome. Last year's visit shared with Lori and Hurricane Irma brings its own memories, not all pleasant. This year was a do-over for her and I am so glad we had the time together. Still, I can't help but compare the visits.
Kerry watching Hurricane Irma from the river room. Note the wet floor
In the process of remembering, our church is celebrating its 40th Anniversary as a congregation with a special service and fellowship meal on the 16th of this month. Part of my responsibilities include gathering messages from those members not at our church any longer who cannot attend the celebration. I have loved this part of serving on the Committee. As I collect their thoughts and type them into readable form, I get to take trips with them down Memory Lane, some which I recall as well, plus things which took place prior to our moving here to FL. I have typed up a couple memories of my own to be shared, including one particular day in 2001 when our church nearly burst at the seams for Timmy's funeral service. It saddens me to think how if something like that happened today, how different it might be at my church with so much that's happened since 2001. That is a loss in itself.
Terri T. is busily scanning photos for a slide show presentation to be played during our meal the day of the anniversary. She asked if it would bother me to have photos with my former spouse in them. I assured her that would be just fine because, at that time, he was quite integral in many aspects of the congregation life. More memories in those photo albums and packets of pictures!
At present, Hurricane Florence is bearing down on the US, aiming right at the Carolina's. Some of our invited guests are in those areas facing potential damage and are not sure they'll come, hating to leave their homes, or if they come, can they get home again...Boy, that brings back memories of last year's visit from Irma and the old "should I stay or should I go?" quandary. "And, if we go, what happens to our house, how can we take care of things if we can't get back here???"
At present, Hurricane Florence is bearing down on the US, aiming right at the Carolina's. Some of our invited guests are in those areas facing potential damage and are not sure they'll come, hating to leave their homes, or if they come, can they get home again...Boy, that brings back memories of last year's visit from Irma and the old "should I stay or should I go?" quandary. "And, if we go, what happens to our house, how can we take care of things if we can't get back here???"
The news is also about the memories of the terror attacks on 9-11-01, revisiting those days immediately afterward when the nation rallied in support of the USA. Those "9-12" days have passed, slipped away. It gives me the same feeling of what has gone away since folks gathered for Timmy's funeral, and how the nation rallied for a period of time against our enemies, but now are war weary. I know it's odd to have those two issues compared but the feeling in my heart makes it match up.
On my one podcast the radio host was talking about the acrid aroma that hung in the air of NYC for a long while after the attacks. The smell was of incineration, burned building materials, paper, bodies, and debris, wet debris. It triggers memories for those who were there in those days every time they catch a whiff of that type of smell. It's a real trigger, not a personal slight, of what they experienced in those days where the attacks took place. Scent is a real trigger. There is even an ad on TV that is meant to be funny of a younger lady being approached by a senior citizen in the grocery store. The older lady compliments the younger lady because she smells just like her late husband! Who doesn't love that?? You must get the muscle relaxer that doesn't smell!! Every time I go down the baby aisle at the grocery store I look to see if they have Mennen Baby Bath which is what I used for my kids. It's not made any longer but yet, I look for it. I just want to smell it again and be transported to those special bath times. Ah, those are fond memories....
