Memories......

[Bob Wright]

As I sit at the table for meals, there is no table conversation, just three empty chairs around my table. And my memories sort of pop into my head. And very far back memories at that.

In February, 1959 I was in Tokyo on R&R. I had met a girl who had taken a liking to me as I was a "nice GI." So I had an early morning date with her. Her name was Noriko, her father had been a major in the Japanese Army.

We rented a richshaw for the day, one of those pedal types. First stop was Imperial Palace for photos, then to Tokyo Tower, then still under construction. We went up to the shopping level, then the highest finished. I bought one of those long paper tubes of popcorn. We were riding down a street sharing the popcorn when we passed a house. An older Japanese lady, right out of a history book, peered at us, pulling back a curtain. She motioned for someone else in the room, who came and observed us too. I asked Noriko if we were doing something wrong against custom and she told me, "No, they like popcorn, too." Never knew what created so much interest!

Bob Wright

 

[buckaroo]

Sometimes at a certain age memories are all one has, no future and very little present. Hopefully they don't eat you alive. Perhaps find a hobby to keep your mind active. I use to be into model railroading but it requires a lot of time and stability, it's not a hobby if you move around a lot. Now I enjoy making up shot-shell loads and shooting 12 gauge and it's not all that expensive and you can take it anywhere. It gives me a sense of being alive because 12 gauge like growing older is not for the girly-men.

 

[Bob Wright]

Sometimes at a certain age memories are all one has, no future and very little present. Hopefully they don't eat you alive. Perhaps find a hobby to keep your mind active. I use to be into model railroading but it requires a lot of time and stability, it's not a hobby if you move around a lot. Now I enjoy making up shot-shell loads and shooting 12 gauge and it's not all that expensive and you can take it anywhere. It gives me a sense of being alive because 12 gauge like growing older is not for the girly-men.

Thanks for your response. I'm busy enough with things so I make it through the day O.K. But from suppertime to bedtime, its awfully lonely without my Sweetheart Nita.

With the work facing me, I don't NEED a hobby!

And, thankfully, I have a niece who sort of looks after me. We do have a trip planned soon to go to Reelfoot Lake for an expedition. And tentative plans to try a new restaurant here in Memphis, a place called Hog and Hominy.

Bob Wright

 

[Kevin]

That's a nice memory Bob. I would really like to go to Japan someday.

The real question is, did you ever keep any of the old photos of you with your girlfriends after meeting Nita?

If I may share a memory...
I had this uncle, Uncle Cecile. What a great guy. He was showing my then girlfriend and I some photos from an album way back when. Came across one picture of my aunt with another guy. He said it's ok the picture is still there, because her old boyfriend was dead. It was just the way he said it, so deadpanned and funny. I didn't really even know him that well, but he is the one long gone relative I miss the most. That same time he was showing us the pictures, my aunt was in the kitchen and asked him about the pork chops in the oven. He yelled back: "Woman, I ain't no hotter than that stove."

They did get along very well, and to this day, I often use that line on my wife, who sadly never met Uncle Cecile. Great cook, he died from being overweight. Wonderful guy.

 

[Jeepnik]

I’m sitting at the breakfast table enjoying my first cup. My wife is a late riser so I usually get some things done before having my coffee. But while sipping my first of many cups my mind also drifts back.

With Bob’s words it drifted back to 1972 and Thailand. The time off was sporadic but always filled with things to see and do. I didn’t realize then how much it would change my life. Didn’t realize it until much later.

The biggest thing it did was make me realize what I wanted and who. It’s been a bit shy of 50 years and she sleeps just a few feet away. Lots of memories are sleeping there.

Thanks Bob you provided a great start to my day.

 

[Bob Wright]

I did keep those photos for awhile but over the years they disappeared. And many years were to elapse before Nita came into my life.

One favorite photo was of me with steel helmet, M1 rifle, and parka taken in the sNow of Korea.

Bob Wright

 

[jimbo1096]

If you still have that photo, I would so like to see it.
I lost mine a bit over two years ago. I am giving a home to my two grandsons. Their mom, my daughter, passed last year. They keep me aggravated enough but also the reasons why I am still here.
I have those memories too, but most often when I am at bedtime, I bought a new king bed with the special orthopedic mattress just before my wife got ill, and we never got the chance to share it. I say goodnight to her every night and pray the Lord her soul to keep.

 

[Johnny-Baseball]

...With Bob’s words it drifted back to 1972 and Thailand. The time off was sporadic but always filled with things to see and do. I didn’t realize then how much it would change my life. Didn’t realize it until much later.

The biggest thing it did was make me realize what I wanted and who. It’s been a bit shy of 50 years and she sleeps just a few feet away. Lots of memories are sleeping there....

We were twins. While in Chiang Mai in 1972 I had an epiphany that literally changed my life. Helped me decide to NOT re-enlist, but instead return to college (and also help me conclude that life was not an accidental occurrence - but that's a topic for another day). Heavy stuff for a 24-year-old.

Staying in the military presented me with two choices: 1. Re-up for 6, collect the big VRB, remain in my unit as a seismic analyst, and be stationed for all 6 years in Alice Springs, Australia (civilian clothing allowance, etc.). 2. RE-up for 4 and immediately go "boot-strap" (green-to-gold in Army slang) back to college, get the degree, accept a commission and go to pilot training school - cumulatively an 8+ year commitment. I rejected those options. Why? Because either way I would have been committed to anywhere from 10 to 14 years of cumulative military service before my next bite at the "re-up" apple. I'd have been foolish to not stay for 20 and get the retirement benefits. But I didn't WANT to commit for 10 or 20 years in the military. So...easy choice.

So...became a CPA, travelled the world and retired after 40+ years. 44 years later, still married to my "first wife" (she hates it when I introduce her that way) and have three very successful kids and 5 wonderful grandkids to show for it.

Yep. I made the right choice.

And while I like to reminisce from time to time, I've learned never to live life looking in the rear-view mirror.

 

[Colonialgirl]

MY "memories" always drift back to living aboard the 36 ft Ketch "Conchita" in the back channel of Long Beach Harbor Calif. That was my daughter's first home when she was born. I can still see a little naked butt trotting down the dock and a pile of clothes next to the dock box. It was a GOOD life and many other "liveaboard" friends in the marina.

 

[contender]

Memories can be both very dear & precious to us,, all while slipping in tears of sadness. Yet,, we relish those precious memories,, for it also opens our hearts.