Brookside Cottage

It's a Marvelous Memory Monday! It is, because I so declare it.........

It didn't start out that way........ started out with yard work......trying to beat the heat...... which anyone who knows me, knows I absolutely despise...... I don't like hot days.......heat waves........ or Summer weather in particular........ but, the yard has gotten ahead of me, so off I trudged to do battle with the nasty weeds......

The chore was made a bit easier with the help of my trusty Ipod........ it sometimes helps to distract me from the work of it all, and I sometimes lose myself and it makes the time go quicker........ doesn't necessarily make the work easier...... a fact which I will be reminded of later this evening, as my muscles remind me what I did this morning......... but, anyway, there I was working away, totally lost in the music, when it happened............. a song........ just a song........ oops, too many memories, oops..... I crossed the line........and oops came the tears........ it was a song which, as some songs tend to do, brought memories of Steve flooding back, and along with the memories came the tears........ I have grown somewhat accustomed to these moments, though not as frequent, they do still occur..... And, I have learned that I don't have to hide them from my kids...... nor do I have to apologize for them...... Thankfully my children understand them, and even deal with some themselves...... there was a time I used to curse these outbursts of tears, but I have learned to bless them instead........ I have come to know them as "signs of Life" for me...... they mean I am still alive, I still feel, I still love........ and I still remember..... I don't love nor cherish the tears..... but I do love & cherish Steve and all the memories of him...... and, as painful as these moments are, I wouldn't trade the memories for anything........

A short time later, as the tears slowed, I found myself smelling a familiar old scent........ and, I knew, I just knew, I was "sent" a few more memories........ ah, but these were different memories! These were Summer memories........ and I was reminded of how once I loved Summer, and all that came with it~~ The scent I picked up was the scent of an Apricot Tree...... which, since my Apricot tree is not in bloom, nor is there any fruit yet, and, I am certain none of the neighbors have an Apricot tree, well, I am certain that this "scent" was "heaven-sent"......... pure and simple, no doubt in my mind........


And, suddenly my mind was whisked away to memories of Summer in Grandmas' backyard........ on her old canvas-covered lawn swing, next to the garage........ under the Apricot tree......... oh the hours spent swinging there...... and oh, the smell of the sweet, sticky Apricots.........











And then the memories of her kitchen........always wonderful smells..... and it wasn't Summer without Grandmas aluminum drinking cups......













which we made "Fizzies" in...... anyone remember those? They were tablets which would fizz and melt into sweet drinks when dropped in water........ and there was the little inflatable pool in the yard........ and the smell of her back porch where she did her laundry...... And the smell of McDonalds down and around the block......... oh my.....


And, so suddenly, it became a Marvelous Memory Monday............ And, as I began to think about it, it occured to me that one day I will be making memories for a little one........... or perhaps two or three......or ???? Hmmm....... that's kind of a nice thought, that one day, someone just may think of me, and say "I remember when Grandma..........


Here's hoping you have a Marvelous Memory Monday......... and maybe you will make some special ones today.........


And, may Heaven send you something special just when you need it...........

My reply to your sweet comments ( I love comments!) :

Anonymous said...
Dear Joyce ...... I just popped into Brookside Cottage and read your post for today (Monday)...Your memories brought back so many memories of my own, the fizzies in those bright aluminum cops(my Mom had tons of those), and we had an Apricot Tree which was right near my swing and I remember that wonderful smell....Thanks for the memories...May your day be beautiful. Love and Blessings, Vernie
May 19, 2008 5:32 PM

Ahh, well, sweet Vernie........... it's just as I have been telling you for years........ I think we are long-lost sisters, you and I!! Love You!

PAT said...
Joyce, this post is absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing your memories.Pat
May 20, 2008 3:23 AM

Oh, dear Pat...... seeing that you have "been by" for a visit, always, always makes my day! all my best to you always...........

Catherine Holman said...
Joyce, That was just so beautiful. Thanks for reminding us of the memories we make each and every day. Hope it cools down for you!Hugs,Cathie
May 21, 2008 10:23 PM

Dear Cathie........ oh, so nice to see you here! You are so talented with your paintings that whenever I see you have been here, I feel like I was visited by a celebrity!! It has cooled down for us, in fact we now have 40MPH winds~ nicer than a heat wave, but my neighborhood trees are snapping and blowing down so fast it is a bit unsettling~