Fresh vs Old Memories

I just wished my 19-year-old granddaughter Kira happy birthday. She is a freshman at DePaul University in Chicago. New to 19, new to a college campus. New being quite a bit on her own for the first time. I remember how that was. A long time ago, but I remember the similar sensations in 1961. Fall was coming on. Leaves were changing. The air was balmy and soon turned chill, crisp. I knew the change of seasons differently than before. Alone and self-reliant. Alone and in a new community. So many faces to remember. So many things to get used to – classes, class schedules, location of those classes, and all in relation to the dorm, the cafeteria and so many other important sites.

At least Kira is 35 miles from home. I was 1000 miles alone.

Thinking on these things this morning, I realized how new life experiences at young ages seemed so fresh. Sometimes they were daunting; other times they were tantalizing, unique. In the long run, however, they became the new reality and expectations. Years later we know how they all fit together and give rhythm and tempo to life.

Looking out my window this morning, the temperature was 53 degrees with a high forecast of 65. Fall begins with the equinox this evening. The rest of the week is expected to be cool, for 5 days. Nighttime temps will be in the 40’s. Yes, fall has arrived. Soon the leaves will change. Some already are piquing our glances toward colorful days.

Winter will follow in a few short months. Then snow, ice and bitter cold snaps. When I was commuting by foot and train, weather forecasts were important guidance for wardrobe. Also, time schedules were lengthened to accommodate weather delays. I dreaded winter in those days.

Today, winter doesn’t mean as much. We sit in our warm apartment, car in a heated gang garage, doctor’s office in building with attached garage. Weather doesn’t affect me much these days. Oh sure, heavier garments are worn but for short duration, not long walks in the bitter, snowy cold. We can also choose to participate in winter or avoid it. In later years we opt for avoidance. We have freedom to do so.

Our perspectives on many things in life change as we age. Depth of comparisons are readily available to appreciate what is happening and how to deal with it. Yet the freshness of youth is a memory. All in all, the new reality is comfortable and less jarring. Of course, the young have that excitement of discovery. Remember that spice of life?

May fall be a season of great expectation for you!

September 23, 2022

    

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Intimacy

As we mature, we become deeply involved in relationships. Some of this is basic family relations – siblings, parental – and the like. Next is friends who enter our homes and we theirs. Neighbors, classmates, mutual hobbyists and so forth. Then we develop friendships that go much deeper. We comfort one another when we are hurting physically or emotionally. We discuss the matters of life and learn much more about ourselves and each other. We can even anticipate how others will react to various situations and stimuli. Good friendships do not spread to everyone we know. No, good friendships are special, close and deeply personal. We focus attention and brainpower on these few friends. Some special relationships focus on specific topics of interest and importance. Yes, we have specialized friendships. Most common. But one day, we get to know one person very well. An emotional connection forms with deep roots. A need to know the person more fully expands in personal ways. We sense this b...
Read more

Bits & Pieces

Pie: Apple pie more specifically. With Thanksgiving just passed, many of us enjoyed a good apple pie. Sure, there was pumpkin to accompany the turkey, but in our family multiple pies are offered in the holidays. Apple is surely one. Pecan, pumpkin and others, too. But I almost always choose apple. When I was in college, I was asked what kind of pie did I eat most often. In front of my mom, I answered apple, because I was always looking for a pie as good as mom’s own. Of course my mother was pleased, but it was a true statement just the same. When I was married, Ann’s pie was darned good. Her mother’s recipe. But we fiddled with the recipe until it took on its own generational name, and boy, was it good! Today I still order apple pie for dessert because I am always looking for a great pie to challenge our family recipes. I rarely do find such a prize. Do others do the same? Do you search for a great pie of choice, continually? If you do, what’s your story? Why do you do this? ...
Read more

Remembering Tom Sherlock

Tom Sherlock died on Wednesday, April 3rd. He was 65 years old and did not survive a heart surgery. That was his unexpected end and sad enough. But there is more to his story. Tom joined Dan Schuyler and George Safford to create what became the Village Chronicles, a weekly newspaper serving Warrenville, Illinois. That paper expanded to serve Winfield and then West Chicago. The paper published for eight years and built a good reputation for itself. Tom served the paper in several ways. He was our information technology guru, provided hardware and software to support the paper's operations. He was our sole bookkeeper, accountant and financial manager. He designed our distribution process and provided office space for meetings and layout and typesetting. His efforts supported the work of 32 volunteers who wrote and reported on the communities we served.  The newspaper broke even financially most of the time, but it was a struggle. Tom managed to find money to keep the newspaper afloat...
Read more