“Without memory, there is no culture. Without memory, there would be no civilization, no society, no future.” – Elie Wiesel
Tomorrow, May 31st, is Memorial Day. Traditionally, this holiday is for the United States to honor and mourn its military personnel who died while serving in its Armed Forces.
Perhaps this year, more than any other, I feel emotional about this day as I mourn the goodwill I’ve known throughout America, and see the unraveling of our nation and military. I wonder how the deceased service members would feel to see Lady Liberty under siege today.
“Sometimes you will never know the value of something, until it becomes a memory.” – Dr. Seuss
I pray Dr. Seuss’ quote does not come to fruition for America as a country (or any sovereign nation). Once Communism destroys a nation, there is no turning back. There will be no America except in distant memory and all of our soldiers would have died for nothing — except perhaps a period of independence that subsequent generations too easily gave up.
Remembering all service personnel who courageously fought for our freedom brings back memories of fonder times. Of course, that’s pre-ccp/covid. And even before then…somewhere long, long ago…in the age of childhood innocence (and when all photos were black and white).
My Dad and his brother, a sailor and a marine (in the feature photo) both proudly served in the Pacific during WWII.
The Power of Memory
I never got to know my Dad in my adult life. By the time I moved back from living in a distant city, he no longer knew me. Or himself. He survived the war but dementia became his captor.
One of my earliest memories of my Dad is him pruning the row of glowing forsythia bordering our house. Like me, he thrived in the outdoors. Many times while pruning my own shrubs I think of him and how wonderful it would have been to work side by side…
But, with all of my immediate family gone, Dr. Seuss’ quote is a reality for me. I am grateful for the memories (and photos) I do have but miss the comfort of family, and particularly in challenging times.
The Pleasantries of Memories
Do memories offer you comfort? Is there anything from your past that you remember fondly? If you could, would you bring it back today?
25 Pleasant Things I Remember
- The horizon was unobstructed by cell towers and wind mills
- Handwritten cards and letters arrived in the mail
- Businesses were closed on Sundays
- Food was wholesome without preservatives, dyes, and unidentifiable words
- The smell of sun-dried laundry from the clothesline
- “Please,” “thank-you,” and “you’re welcome” were common words
- Fast food joints and packaged food didn’t exist
- Kids could attend school worry free of shootings
- Journalism offered more facts than opinions
- Friendly Mom and Pops owned neighborhood stores
- People didn’t air their dirty laundry in public
- Neighbors knew and helped each other
- Nursing homes were rare; grandparents lived out their days residing with family
- The seasons were true to the calendar
- People took personal responsibility
- Skies were clear and unpolluted; no chem trails in the air
- You could walk barefoot in the grass, play in the woods without worry of ticks or Lyme disease
- Sex, politics, religion, and sometimes money were not openly discussed
- Milk was delivered in glass bottles; plastics were rare
- You could safely answer the telephone and be happy to hear from a caller
- Time was unencumbered, without an urgent pace or frequent interruptions
- Job security and loyalty existed
- Parents could safely allow their kids to play outside til dark
- Tailor-made, quality clothing was readily available
- Americans were united in a patriotic love of country
“Always have old memories, and young hopes.” – Arsene Houssaye
If you have a photo, narrative or music of a cherished memory, please share it for this month’s blogging challenge. Pleasant memories, distant memories, childhood memories — however you wish to interpret, the choice is yours.
Just add Changing Focus blogging challenge as a tag in your response (by June 26th) and provide the link to it in a comment on this post. Responses for “Memories” will be highlighted on this blog at the end of the monthly challenge.
“God gave us our memories so that we might have roses in December.” – J.M. Barrie
wRighTing My Life 
Although each of us has a choice, albeit difficult when bombarded with consumerism and self-importance, to what we keep and what we discard, to what we value and what we don’t. Admittedly, being raised by parents who went through the Depression, I am still of the mindset to reuse a product rather than immediately discard. However, even with all the “talk” of saving the environment, how many consider that when replacing an old cell phone, printer, etc.? I believe younger generations are taught to discard rather than repair. For instance, I was shocked when someone explained that they threw out their printer because it was cheaper to buy a new one than replace the ink. Even more devastating, we see the numbers of elderly housed in “nursing homes” (a term I use very loosely because I think they are horrid places) rather than lovingly be cared for by family.
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You’re very welcome WG. Yes it’s become a disposable society, they produce junk so it has to be replaced. We also rarely mend things anymore, we’ve lost the value/appreciation of things. Shallow personalities with no depth is what they want people to be. Sad.
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Apparently not as evidenced by today’s threat from within to our freedoms. Sadly.
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And even if they did – will they remember?
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Thank you for taking the time to offer such a thoughtful and personal reply. I often wonder, as you do, why they changed what wasn’t broken. Too many times they tell us that newer is better when it simply isn’t true; ironically most of the newer made things break much easier and sooner than the ones manufactured long ago that were made to last. Perhaps that is true of their character as well. Warm wishes to you dear friend —
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Beautiful post. Thank you for sharing your memories, I’m very comforted by nostalgia for the past. Why did they have to change what wasn’t broken? I miss the natural world. I especially loved seeing the photos of your family, I often feel like photographs and music are like time travel, they evoke many memories and thoughts.
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Your sentiment is so true. And although we’ve heard this numerous times, I now wonder how many were actually listening?
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