Within the previous four posts under “Somebody I Use To Know”, I shared my memories of my grandparents. As mentioned, I was lucky to have known all of them and had shared or observed various experiences.
Triggers.
In this writing, I will share more of my own memories, mainly due to the different triggers in my last writing.
We all have memories, as we would all know, some of these are good whilst others are bad. But most of us, we will daydream at times, thinking about this and that. Are we thinking about memories of times past or about other things…?
I look back at my life – currently, as I write, I am 66. Even as I write this – memories pop up. One that shows up often is that people do not believe my age. Most of the time, I need to show my driver’s license because it shows my date of birth.
I am sure each of us would have a memory list that is triggered by different foods, types of music, places we go and probably even something we have heard on the radio/wireless or seen on TV.
In my food category, I really hate offal – liver being the worst. My mother attempted to get me to eat it! She would cook it and the smell was overpowering. Thankfully I didn’t vomit! Oh, but I use to eat tongue and pig trotters!
Music is a favourite – one can disappear back in time. I do prefer 70s and 80s music. Some of the 60s is okay too. In that era, my memories drift back to primary school where I watched older students performing different dance steps. Those of you who remember this era would know what I mean. Music can trigger a lot of emotional memories – some happy and some sad. What do you remember about your music encounters? Please feel free to add a comment below.
Those of you who have read my previous postings, and those who know me well, would know I love to travel.
People would ask me, “What’s the best place you have visited?” or “Where have you been?” Answering the first question: – I have no best location, each adventure is full of exploring and discovering. Each place has something different. I have so many memories of places – just mention a town, a city, or a country and they flood my mind. The second question: – My answer is usually, “Where is it I haven’t been!” Again, triggers of where I’d like to visit and explore.
I mentioned wireless earlier – I can say back in the day! Now, it’s radio. When I was younger, I used to listen to radio stations across the world and even write to them – very old school, I know.
Remember, I was around when there was NO Internet and I survived!
Memories: Radio Japan, Radio Ecuador (in Quito), VOA (Voice of America), 4MK (local radio station), BBC World Service, just to name a few – see, all hidden in my memories. I would listen for hours – way into the night.
Penfriends – I had many when I was in high school – all over the world, especially in the United States – my obsession country. On my travels, I was fortunate enough to meet many of them and their families. I do remember I had pen friends in Sweden, Japan, Korea, the Philippines and the UK.
This photo is of a Japanese Doll encased in a glass cabinet. A gift from a Japanese penfriend back in the early 1970s.
BTW – penfriends – you would hand write a letter, actually lick a stamp, place it on an envelope and then send the letter by mail. Of course, then you waited for a reply. It would take weeks for an answer. It was exciting to receive that reply and you’d be telling all your friends about it! (I suppose, this is now called social media – but that’s instant gratification! No waiting involved or is there?)
TV – no not reality stuff – just got old fashion television programs.
OMG – I just remembered – Bellbird, The Sullivans and Adventure Island! Digging deep into my memories there! American and English television was high on the list.
Oh, and I still enjoyed Dr Who…
I find memories good. They give you a good feeling. You can get lost in them. It is always good to tell others about your experiences – good conversation starters – do you remember…
Today, social media has taken over but some in a good way. Then sharing different times with others who you find online. Again, sharing memories – do you remember…
Seeing old photos of places you previously lived, maybe grew up, have visited – all bring memories flooding back.
As I’ve said before, we need to keep our stories and memories alive by sharing them – I do this via this blog. Others write journals. Others tell others…
Have you shared your memories? If not, why not? Remember, when you are gone, so are your memories especially if not written down!
Next week, we start a new series called “The Arrivals“.
I hope you enjoy all of them…
Acknowledgments:
Radio: https://pixabay.com/photos/radio-keys-buttons-radio-receiver-1522333/
Bellbird: https://nostalgiacentral.com/television/tv-by-decade/tv-shows-1960s/bellbird
Ancestor Family 