Well hello, how are you today?

I was thinking about the role you had in my life, and what I remember.

I remember when you spanked me for crapping in my pants after I was potty trained. I really was, but other things were so much more exciting than stopping the explorations to use the bathroom the correct way. It was less distracting just to let it go in my pants.

I also remember the T-Man. You used to buy me little rings with whistles, or bells on them. Sometimes I would be wearing two or three. They never seemed to last though. I always lost them quickly, or maybe they broke.

I also remember always asking for bacon spaghetti, and you would make it for me. It was not until a few years ago that I learned how much you disliked making, let alone eating it.

Do you remember how you always had a gallon of vanilla ice cream in the freezer? You would give me some almost every day. Once when you had whipped cream in the refrigerator, you let me have a whole bowl of that.

Then there was the time you caught me playing with matches in your bedroom. You scared me so bad threatening to do what I would have done if you had not found me, that it was many years before I ever touched a match again.

I remember when you would take me along when you went to the Deer shack to bring food and beer to the men. I always felt important being able to go too. After you had a five or six cold beers, you would drive us back home. Those thirty miles or so were always so funny! Ending up who knows where, or missing a turn and sliding into the ditch. I know now how dangerous it really was, but back then it was a lot of fun for an eight year old.

Remember the marble game and camping? When you woke me up at one in the morning, telling me if I got up so you adults could use the table, you would play the marble game all day with me tomorrow? I was so tired, I never got up, but you kept trying.

Then there was the camping trip in the cabin. You went outside to go pee, and we heard you saying, “Xxxx stop it! Xxxxx, that is not a bit funny!” What I thought was funny was when all the adults looked at Xxxx who was sitting in the cabin with us. When he shined a flashlight outside, there was a black bear sniffing your rump!

Maybe it was the same trip I stepped over the little railing alongside a cliff, and stood right next to the edge. The three of you begged me to come back to the rail. I laughed and stayed where I was. I don’t remember how long I played that game, but I know now how terrified you three were that I was going to fall off the cliff.

You also left your house unlocked so I could go over anytime I wanted and make a sandwich to eat. All you ever asked was I leave a note telling you I had been there. You listened to my frustrations and complaining during my teenage years without passing judgment on me, even when you disagreed.

There are many more things I remember. I wish I could tell you, and we could laugh at them over a beer or four. Maybe even while eating pizza from at the pizza shop. Those days are gone forever though, and this is as close as I will ever again come to us laughing over a beer, and me remembering that part of my life you had a role in.

Life goes on, and that is the way it is. I sure miss you though…..

1 Comment

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  By Kate, October 28, 2008 @ 6:10 am

  This was really sad. Your descriptions are pretty vivid. It’s as if I stepped into your mind and relieved your memories.

  Good writing!

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