"Get to know your parents, you never know when they'll be gone for good." That, in particular, pulled at my heart strings.
My father died when he was a year younger than I am now. A massive heart attack. A few hours later he was gone. In the ambulance on the way to the hospital he told the MT guy, "I think this is it for me.' I think about his last few minutes so often. He was very strong, stubborn, charismatic, opinionated and straight to the point. I admired his ethics. I admired the fact that he was a true believer and achiever of the American Dream. He built something out of nothing. Life is never the same after someone that influential in your life is no longer around. At least not around physically. On a rare occasion I can almost feel him.
My mother died ten years later. A couple of days after she died we all received little cards in the mail telling us she loved us. Most everything I know about how to love well I learned from her. She was a great listener. I would sit for hours and talk about things. She listened. I loved telling her about the song lyrics that meant so much to me. She listened. I would tell her about boyfriends, friends, most anything. But there were a few times I listened to her. She had a couple of boyfriends. There were men interested in her, they just fed her ego, which in my opinion, is awesome. I listened to stories about what a rebel she was. You wouldn't have known it. She had morals that caused her a lot of pain later in life. Thinking things should be a certain way. I blame that on religion, not truth; But inside she was a rebel who always questioned. That's why this beautiful, sweet little Catholic girl ran away to Chicago, worked at a radio station and found her future husband. A Jewish guy. Catholics weren't supposed to marry Jews. And of course, even more so, Jews were not to marry Catholics. Religion can really screw people up!!!
I really didn't get to know my parents the way I wish I would have now. I miss them every day. The pain is sort of gone, but the emptiness never leaves. It's something you get used to. It's just a part of life.
I wish my parents could see my new grandson. Yet I think they do. Not sure, but probably.
Nostalgia and memories......sweet!
Another quote that is probably the best advice I've ever heard is, "Keep your old love letters. Throw away your bank statements." Of course I didn't. I had kept one. It was from my young boyfriend. He died at 18. And his words meant the world to me. Especially later in life. He signed it, "No matter what happens, I will always love you." I even made a photo copy of that letter. After moving from one state to another, I finally lost it. I wish I still had it.
Ahhhhh youth.
Nostalgia. Nothing beats it. Tonight, where ever you are, have a glass of red with me, watch the video below, and toast to good advice and nostalgia.
https://youtu.be/xavFb4WH7o0
Copy and paste in the address bar....It's totally worth the time and effort.
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