Do you have a treasured memory? Maybe more than one?

[Cherylndesigns]

I'm sure you will all trigger more for me, but one of mine is waking up on Saturday mornings at my Granny's house. I could always smell the Honeysuckle during the summer, which was growing right outside of her window. The smell of Honeysuckle reminds me of Granny to this day.

 

[LSlycord]

When I was a young girl, we went to my grandmother’s house every Sunday. About the first of May, my grandmother would buy artificial flowers for “decorating” the graves. She would line them up on the sofa in the back parlor and take us in to look at them, telling us in detail about which flowers were going on which graves. For 3 or 4 Sundays, I would tell Grandma what a silly tradition it was to decorate graves. She died when I was 30 and I have faithfully decorated graves each year. But since we have lived in Florida, I am too far away. In 2023, I am planning to make sure that I am in Iowa for Memorial Day so that I can decorate graves.

 

[Cherylndesigns]

When I was a young girl, we went to my grandmother’s house every Sunday. About the first of May, my grandmother would buy artificial flowers for “decorating” the graves. She would line them up on the sofa in the back parlor and take us in to look at them, telling us in detail about which flowers were going on which graves. For 3 or 4 Sundays, I would tell Grandma what a silly tradition it was to decorate graves. She died when I was 30 and I have faithfully decorated graves each year. But since we have lived in Florida, I am too far away. In 2023, I am planning to make sure that I am in Iowa for Memorial Day so that I can decorate graves.

Oh Linda, what a lovely memory. I have memories of decorating the graves too. We always went out into Grandma's garden and cut her flowers, took buckets of water and decorated all of them.

I, too, have lived so far away from my family's graves and miss doing that. How wonderful that you'll be able to do it next year. Whenever I'm back in my hometown, I do it, usually not on Memorial Day, sadly.

 

[scrapinmom]

This is a weird memory, but in 1988 my husband and I and both of our dad helped us drive from Louisiana to California to our new home. It was a long drive and a bit warm in one car that had the worst AC ever. We would switch off cars and drivers. We hit every McDonalds on the way. It was an amazing bonding time with our dads. My FIL and I bonded greatly and we shared that I was his "other" daughter and I told him he was my father too. We had so much fun on that trip. I will never forget it. Both dads are gone, but the memory of that trip still resonates!

 

[LSlycord]

This is a weird memory, but in 1988 my husband and I and both of our dad helped us drive from Louisiana to California to our new home. It was a long drive and a bit warm in one car that had the worst AC ever. We would switch off cars and drivers. We hit every McDonalds on the way. It was an amazing bonding time with our dads. My FIL and I bonded greatly and we shared that I was his "other" daughter and I told him he was my father too. We had so much fun on that trip. I will never forget it. Both dads are gone, but the memory of that trip still resonates!

What a special memory! Car trips create some really special memories!

 

[bcgal00]

Lilac trees remind me on my grandmother's home where we lived for the first 6 years of my life. It was in the corner of her yard and I would bring toys and a blanket to play underneath the tree for hours in the hot summer days.

Tents remind me of my childhood camping trips with my parents. Every summer and even some winters we would travel to northern Ontario and camp out for weeks at a time. My parents both had lots of holiday time so we traveled around a lot by car, exploring Ontario, Quebec and the US.

 

[tanteva]

I scrapped about a memory I have of my grandma Elsa a while back:

Elsa

• tanteva
• Jun 25, 2021
• 2

Translation of the journaling:
I don't remember how old I was, but perhaps around 10-12 years old, and I was with my grandmother in her cabin. There was no running water in the cabin, you had to get the water from a well. Grandma had a tub in the kitchen where you did the dishes, and when I was done with the dishing, I went out to pour out the water. I was just about to empty the tub when my grandma stopped me. She told me never to pour out the water haphazardly, without first warning the little people living on and under the ground. Hence, ever since, where ever I am, and for some reason have to pour something out on the ground, I say: "Watch out, cuz now I'm gonna pour this out here!" Better safe than sorry!

 

[Cherylndesigns]

This is a weird memory, but in 1988 my husband and I and both of our dad helped us drive from Louisiana to California to our new home. It was a long drive and a bit warm in one car that had the worst AC ever. We would switch off cars and drivers. We hit every McDonalds on the way. It was an amazing bonding time with our dads. My FIL and I bonded greatly and we shared that I was his "other" daughter and I told him he was my father too. We had so much fun on that trip. I will never forget it. Both dads are gone, but the memory of that trip still resonates!

That's a wonderful memory, Sharon. It sounds like a very special time - driving a long distance can be good or bad, but your trip turned out beautifully! Thanks for sharing your heartwarming memory.

 

[Cherylndesigns]

Lilac trees remind me on my grandmother's home where we lived for the first 6 years of my life. It was in the corner of her yard and I would bring toys and a blanket to play underneath the tree for hours in the hot summer days.

Tents remind me of my childhood camping trips with my parents. Every summer and even some winters we would travel to northern Ontario and camp out for weeks at a time. My parents both had lots of holiday time so we traveled around a lot by car, exploring Ontario, Quebec and the US.

Oh Rae, Lilacs have such a wonderful smell and I can believe that they bring back memories for you - like Honeysuckle does for me. How fun that you have wonderful camping memories, too.

 

[Cherylndesigns]

I scrapped about a memory I have of my grandma Elsa a while back:

Elsa

• tanteva
• Jun 25, 2021
• 2

Translation of the journaling:
I don't remember how old I was, but perhaps around 10-12 years old, and I was with my grandmother in her cabin. There was no running water in the cabin, you had to get the water from a well. Grandma had a tub in the kitchen where you did the dishes, and when I was done with the dishing, I went out to pour out the water. I was just about to empty the tub when my grandma stopped me. She told me never to pour out the water haphazardly, without first warning the little people living on and under the ground. Hence, ever since, where ever I am, and for some reason have to pour something out on the ground, I say: "Watch out, cuz now I'm gonna pour this out here!" Better safe than sorry!

Awwwww, I love this memory, Eva!! That's so special that you still do this. Thanks for sharing your layout, too.

 

[LSlycord]

Another memory that I have is the sliver of light that would hit my hallway floor when the ballgames were still going across the street. When I grew up, the ball fields were across the street from my house in our small town. For some, it would have been terrible. For me, it was perfect.

Our front door had a narrow, vertical window along the edge of the door that covered almost 3/4 of the length. My bedroom was almost opposite that door and I would see that light in our hallway from my bedroom as I went to sleep. The ball fields still, to this day, have a calming effect on me. I can't be at a baseball game and feel unhappy.

Thanks for jogging our memories @Cherylndesigns.

 

[Susan - s3js]

My parents separated when I was in 1st grade late in 1961 and their divorce was final late in 1963 when I was finishing up 3rd grade. We had to move from our house into an apartment which was a great place with lots of kids. My Dad came to get my brother and me one evening in the summer and we set off on a 2 week adventure. He had a pickup truck without AC which was not a problem in Orange County, California as a rule. But when we got out into the desert east of there it started getting hot and miserable, We took it in stride with my brother and me climbing over and under each other to be near the window (the truck was NOT a club cab that could seat 6, it was only one bench seat). We were also both still quite small. Skip is 2 years younger than me and was very small until he turned 18 and wasn't. When we were tired one would crawl down and curl up on the floor and the other would use Daddy's leg as a pillow. We swapped out on that too. You see, Daddy only stopped for gasoline. Those were the only bathroom breaks, only a few sips of water and we ate sandwiches in the truck. There was a bottle my brother could use if he was at panic point, but I had better never get there. At least, it was normally that way.

It was a GREAT trip across most of the country via what is now mostly I20 and I40 before turning north to western KY, where I now live. We had the best tasting watermelon I have had in my life east of Texarkana, and fried fish to die for once we got to Kentucky - fish that Daddy and Grandpa caught fresh. Coming back we traveled most of historic Route 66, leaving it only to drop down south into south eastern Oklahoma to visit family that I can't remember for the life of me, then back up to Oklahoma City and the long trek home.

We had moved a lot. Every time Daddy got promoted, we moved to a new house. After the divorce, we moved many more times, 19 schools before junior high and high school in the same place, but this trip firmly cemented the wanderlust in me. I am gypsy in my soul!

 

[Cherylndesigns]

Another memory that I have is the sliver of light that would hit my hallway floor when the ballgames were still going across the street. When I grew up, the ball fields were across the street from my house in our small town. For some, it would have been terrible. For me, it was perfect.

Our front door had a narrow, vertical window along the edge of the door that covered almost 3/4 of the length. My bedroom was almost opposite that door and I would see that light in our hallway from my bedroom as I went to sleep. The ball fields still, to this day, have a calming effect on me. I can't be at a baseball game and feel unhappy.

Thanks for jogging our memories @Cherylndesigns.

Linda, I LOVE your memory of the sliver of light from the ball field. That triggered a similar one for me - my uncle lived with my Granny later on in life and he was kind of a shut-in by then. He had always been one of my favorite people. Anyway, every night, he laid in his room and listened to whatever baseball game (during the season) that was on. I remember hearing that sound in the background and it still has a strangely calming effect on me too. I love baseball too and my hubby listens to it during season - whoever's playing.

I love hearing about all of your memories and how it triggers some for me - I knew it would.

 

[Cherylndesigns]

My parents separated when I was in 1st grade late in 1961 and their divorce was final late in 1963 when I was finishing up 3rd grade. We had to move from our house into an apartment which was a great place with lots of kids. My Dad came to get my brother and me one evening in the summer and we set off on a 2 week adventure. He had a pickup truck without AC which was not a problem in Orange County, California as a rule. But when we got out into the desert east of there it started getting hot and miserable, We took it in stride with my brother and me climbing over and under each other to be near the window (the truck was NOT a club cab that could seat 6, it was only one bench seat). We were also both still quite small. Skip is 2 years younger than me and was very small until he turned 18 and wasn't. When we were tired one would crawl down and curl up on the floor and the other would use Daddy's leg as a pillow. We swapped out on that too. You see, Daddy only stopped for gasoline. Those were the only bathroom breaks, only a few sips of water and we ate sandwiches in the truck. There was a bottle my brother could use if he was at panic point, but I had better never get there. At least, it was normally that way.

It was a GREAT trip across most of the country via what is now mostly I20 and I40 before turning north to western KY, where I now live. We had the best tasting watermelon I have had in my life east of Texarkana, and fried fish to die for once we got to Kentucky - fish that Daddy and Grandpa caught fresh. Coming back we traveled most of historic Route 66, leaving it only to drop down south into south eastern Oklahoma to visit family that I can't remember for the life of me, then back up to Oklahoma City and the long trek home.

We had moved a lot. Every time Daddy got promoted, we moved to a new house. After the divorce, we moved many more times, 19 schools before junior high and high school in the same place, but this trip firmly cemented the wanderlust in me. I am gypsy in my soul!

What a fantastic story, Susan!! I remember the good ole days when kids could ride anywhere. We used to ride up in the back of my grandpa's car - up in that window above the seat. Can you imagine kids doing that today??? What a marvelous time you must have had - and the bathroom breaks were few and far between anyway back then.. There weren't fancy truck stops and really nice rest stops along the way. The fish and watermelon sound amazing too - there's nothing like fresh caught and fried fish! This is crazy that you mentioned Route 66. My granddaughter and I are going to OKC this summer where you can jump on Route 66 and going on a little trip along it. I'm SO excited because I've never been on it. Isn't it funny how our lives intertwine? We JUST decided to do that on Friday! Thanks for sharing your fun memories!!

 

[scrapinmom]

My parents separated when I was in 1st grade late in 1961 and their divorce was final late in 1963 when I was finishing up 3rd grade. We had to move from our house into an apartment which was a great place with lots of kids. My Dad came to get my brother and me one evening in the summer and we set off on a 2 week adventure. He had a pickup truck without AC which was not a problem in Orange County, California as a rule. But when we got out into the desert east of there it started getting hot and miserable, We took it in stride with my brother and me climbing over and under each other to be near the window (the truck was NOT a club cab that could seat 6, it was only one bench seat). We were also both still quite small. Skip is 2 years younger than me and was very small until he turned 18 and wasn't. When we were tired one would crawl down and curl up on the floor and the other would use Daddy's leg as a pillow. We swapped out on that too. You see, Daddy only stopped for gasoline. Those were the only bathroom breaks, only a few sips of water and we ate sandwiches in the truck. There was a bottle my brother could use if he was at panic point, but I had better never get there. At least, it was normally that way.

It was a GREAT trip across most of the country via what is now mostly I20 and I40 before turning north to western KY, where I now live. We had the best tasting watermelon I have had in my life east of Texarkana, and fried fish to die for once we got to Kentucky - fish that Daddy and Grandpa caught fresh. Coming back we traveled most of historic Route 66, leaving it only to drop down south into south eastern Oklahoma to visit family that I can't remember for the life of me, then back up to Oklahoma City and the long trek home.

We had moved a lot. Every time Daddy got promoted, we moved to a new house. After the divorce, we moved many more times, 19 schools before junior high and high school in the same place, but this trip firmly cemented the wanderlust in me. I am gypsy in my soul!

Wow- that is alot of moving. 19 schools??? I can't even imagine. My oldest was in 3 different elementary schools, but I think you set a record.

 

[Susan - s3js]

Wow- that is alot of moving. 19 schools??? I can't even imagine. My oldest was in 3 different elementary schools, but I think you set a record.

Yeah, then add 2 for junior high and high school and 5 more for colleges and universities, usually as an honor student because I started school in the number 1 schools in the nation at the time and had a good foundation because they were all on the same page as far as academics and test schools for some wonderful advances in education. Those schools aren't so great now, sad to say. And I've moved 27 times since then, soon to be 28 - it's been a wonderful adventure!

 

[Cherylndesigns]

Yeah, then add 2 for junior high and high school and 5 more for colleges and universities, usually as an honor student because I started school in the number 1 schools in the nation at the time and had a good foundation because they were all on the same page as far as academics and test schools for some wonderful advances in education. Those schools aren't so great now, sad to say. And I've moved 27 times since then, soon to be 28 - it's been a wonderful adventure!

We moved a lot, but you beat me. It makes you stronger and adaptable, I think. My kids always looked at it as an adventure.

 

[Susan - s3js]

We moved a lot, but you beat me. It makes you stronger and adaptable, I think. My kids always looked at it as an adventure.

Me and my brother, too. And it's rubbed off on my youngest. He went on an exchange to JAPAN when he was between 8th and 9th grade - just 14. Justin prefers not to move but is anxious to leave here. It's an ADHD thing for him.

 

[Cherylndesigns]

Me and my brother, too. And it's rubbed off on my youngest. He went on an exchange to JAPAN when he was between 8th and 9th grade - just 14. Justin prefers not to move but is anxious to leave here. It's an ADHD thing for him.

We jokingly call ourselves "a band of gypsies". My daughters have also moved a lot and my granddaughter was counting all the different states and houses that's she's lived in and we got hysterical. Oh, my oldest DD went to Paris as an exchange student in 9th grade! How weird. She loved it!