As I lay in bed one night, I began recalling experiences during the years of my long life and began thinking: “If I could just relive that moment!” Here are some moments I would recapture. From my home in the country, the sound of whip-poor-wills trilling “Whip-poor-will! Whip-poor-will!” and of bobwhites calling “Bob-bob-white!” Such beautiful music it was to my childhood ears.
My father's Forest Service truck whining down the hill on Route 45 as it slowed each weekday evening to turn into our driveway.
My mother's singing as she prepared meals in our small kitchen that always became the gathering spot when relatives came.
My high school glee club carrying lighted candles into the darkened auditorium as we sang “O, Come All Ye Faithful” in the annual Christmas pageant.
The shaking of the streetcar as it rattled and rolled on its merry way to Buckroe Beach days in the sun.
Grandma in her button-up sweater laughing and passing out candy when she was operating her country store.
Granddaddy with his serious look and pipe in mouth - NEVER passing out candy from said store.
Croquet games with our across-the-road neighbors, Alvin and Daisy, who always chose opposite sides and were very vocal losers, especially Daisy, who was known to give her ball a slight, secret shove for better position!
Molasses cookies fresh and hot from the oven of Alvin's German mother, Mrs. Vogel.
The sight of Mom kneading the dough for her rolls. The smell of those rolls as they baked, and the taste of a hot roll filled with butter after it came straight from the oven. Nothing - absolutely nothing - could compare!
Sundays at Grandma's with all the cousins and games of hiding in the woods, tag, and crack-the-whip.
Riding the James River bus to Richmond and having to get off said bus to lighten the load so it could pull a steep hill along the route.
Shopping at Miller and Rhoads and crossing over to Thalhimers - then lunch at the Hot Shoppe!
Corn, butterbeans, tomatoes, and cantaloupes fresh out of Dad's garden. Oh, to savor those tastes again!
Riding my bike the mile or so to Grandma's for an afternoon visit. She was always so much fun and always ready to listen. No wonder MY mother said that she truly loved her mother-in-law!
Christmas mornings and the excitement of Santa, sparklers, and Roman candles!
The voices - those of my dad, my grandparents, and many loved relatives and friends who are gone and of whom I have no vocal record - except in my memories.
But “Thanks for the Memories.” They grow more precious as the years pass.
My father's Forest Service truck whining down the hill on Route 45 as it slowed each weekday evening to turn into our driveway.
My mother's singing as she prepared meals in our small kitchen that always became the gathering spot when relatives came.
My high school glee club carrying lighted candles into the darkened auditorium as we sang “O, Come All Ye Faithful” in the annual Christmas pageant.
The shaking of the streetcar as it rattled and rolled on its merry way to Buckroe Beach days in the sun.
Grandma in her button-up sweater laughing and passing out candy when she was operating her country store.
Granddaddy with his serious look and pipe in mouth - NEVER passing out candy from said store.
Croquet games with our across-the-road neighbors, Alvin and Daisy, who always chose opposite sides and were very vocal losers, especially Daisy, who was known to give her ball a slight, secret shove for better position!
Molasses cookies fresh and hot from the oven of Alvin's German mother, Mrs. Vogel.
The sight of Mom kneading the dough for her rolls. The smell of those rolls as they baked, and the taste of a hot roll filled with butter after it came straight from the oven. Nothing - absolutely nothing - could compare!
Sundays at Grandma's with all the cousins and games of hiding in the woods, tag, and crack-the-whip.
Riding the James River bus to Richmond and having to get off said bus to lighten the load so it could pull a steep hill along the route.
Shopping at Miller and Rhoads and crossing over to Thalhimers - then lunch at the Hot Shoppe!
Corn, butterbeans, tomatoes, and cantaloupes fresh out of Dad's garden. Oh, to savor those tastes again!
Riding my bike the mile or so to Grandma's for an afternoon visit. She was always so much fun and always ready to listen. No wonder MY mother said that she truly loved her mother-in-law!
Christmas mornings and the excitement of Santa, sparklers, and Roman candles!
The voices - those of my dad, my grandparents, and many loved relatives and friends who are gone and of whom I have no vocal record - except in my memories.
But “Thanks for the Memories.” They grow more precious as the years pass.
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