I have been thinking lately about how much I don't remember from my late teenage years. I graduated high school at the age of 17 and went out into the world at 19. I can remember a lot of things from 19 on but the 17-19yr ages are really foggy. I have been trying to remember just what I did with myself then.
I know I was living on Boxwood in Lone Oak, I was working at Burger Chef donning my smiley face apron daily and flipping burgers. I was driving a 1974 puke green Mustang that I loved. My brother Mike, had a brown one similar to mine (copy-cat). I was dating a guy by the name of Dave and we had a lot of friends. We hung out all of the time together and had a fantastic time. Maybe too good of a time!
I have some memories, like when my boyfriend moved back to Chicago while I stayed in Paducah. He was helping out at a local tavern one night when a friend was showing him a gun. It accidentally fired and struck him in the chest. He had to have emergency surgery and was in the hospital for a while. I flew to Chicago where his brother and his girlfriend picked me up at O'Hara airport. That was a huge place to a wide eyed girl from a small town. I remember going to the hospital and seeing him.
After that he made a surprise visit to see me. I wont' get into what happened, but he decided he wanted me to move with him to Chicago. I wasn't sure at first (I think) but did finally move with him. I left home on Mother's Day 1977. I can still remember Mom in her lavender dress waving bye to me.
I got a job in downtown Chicago at the Chicago Motor Club where I issued international drivers licenses. I was very excited to be in a large city working downtown. Riding the train from the southside area where he and I lived. I stayed there the entire summer of 1977 until I found out that he was cheating on me. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I called my brother So from a phone booth crying because I had no idea what to do. He quickly told me. Come to Houston. And so I did.
After my move to Houston I have many memories. But the time period between 17yrs and 19yrs is still very foggy. I can remember some of my friends but so many have left my memory. I want to concentrate some to see what I can remember. Maybe my brother can enlighten me some.
I don't know where this post came from. I have been feeling a bit odd lately. So many things in my life have changed recently. Annie's death, my weird x-husbands, my son being so much NOT a part of my life. I have no idea where he is or what he is doing. I guess I am just a bit unsettled. It's a strange feeling.
4 comments:
Memory lane doesn't always make sense. I am so with you on that one. Oddly I was contacted last week by my first bf and he dragged me down that lane too. I had just turned 14 when I was with him so my memories are closer to nonexistant than they are foggy. Apparently his aren't though which I think is why he contacted me. You never know what is going to bring up the past but I believe it is really important to revisit it on occasion. If only to see how far you have come and remember all those people who were important to you then, even if they aren't now.
I don't remember all of the past either. Some of it seems like a blur. I chose to hang onto those cherished moments and not relive the bad ones. Maybe October is a time of reflection. The poets say that.
I moved to Houston in March 1977. That winter Mom was in Arkansas with Daddy Ross (as he had had several heart attacks) and Nanny was getting Alzheimers. You and I spent most of that winter locked in our rooms as the downstairs heater was broken. We had plenty of refreshments. Gary Gibbs spent some time with us while Mom was away. Mike wasn't around much.
I think it was probably a time when your mind was busy being altered.
That was an interesting trip down Memory Lane. Thanks for sharing... you get to know someone so much better when you know about their past.Now you've got me thinking about my teenage years - most of which is a blur.
xox
Linda/Chef
Post a Comment