topic Store Your Happy Memories Here: in Staying well

Store Your Happy Memories Here:

Croix — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 02:03:43 GMT

Dear All~

What this place is for:
This thread is a tool, a resource, and also I guess a dash of entertainment.

I’ve found that when life is grim that sometimes thoughts of past happiness can create a chink of light in the grey overwhelming press of down. They can help occupy the mind with lighter reflections.

With that in view I invite people to set down a brief passage describing some happy event they look back to with fondness and peace.

They - and others too - can then return to it when they feel the need to glean a little warmth.

It is not a place for gloomy or dire tales, those can go elsewhere.

What to do:
Just set out, as simply as you like, your recollection of some past experience that means something good to you, something you enjoyed, something from safe times.

It can be, like my story below, anything – from an account of visiting grandparents to simply cooking and eating a melted-cheese sandwich in a favorite kitchen – you get to choose.

How to do it:
Write. Write enough so someone else can feel the mood, know what happened, find the goodness. (stop at 2,500 characters please!)

Grammar, syntax, spelling, punctuation are not compulsory, just write as you can – the only important thing is the content - not literary merit. Short or long - it does not matter.

I hope you enjoy, contribute and find a little distraction here when you need it.

Croix

Store Your Happy Memories Here:

Croix — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 02:07:36 GMT

To Nain & Tide
50’s London. A slightly tubby kid in grey shorts, black blazer with badge, grey cap, school tie. The clock creeps in the chemistry lab whilst Mr Hubert drones about valencies (a mystery to this day). The bell rings. We all charge down long wood-panelled corridors to the cloak room where I’ve my brown cardboard suitcase full of clothes my mother insisted on packing

I‘m out through the wrought iron gates and wait. 2 buses pass then one red double-decker stops and I clamber up the spiral staircase to the seats. The conductor takes my pennies and whirls a machine that churns out a paper ticket

I watch the streets full of people ending their day. I alight in a hurry at the grand dirty busy Euston station. I’ve my ticket so I look at the boards by the central sooty clock. Weaving between people, porters, trolleys and baggage I show my ticket to the watchful man at the trellis barrier, enter the platform which stretches forever. Running along the carriages I smell the soot, the steam & hear the huff of the engine. Finding a First compartment empty I board and sit on a plush seat under a picture of the sea-side

Just as I wished there’s no one else. A shrill guard’s double whistle, energetic chuffing and a jolt. We’re going. I watch as the end of the station & sea of tracks pass, then the grimy suburbs glide by, backs of brick & slate houses and tiny yards towards me

The carriage has no corridor so I’m happy on my own. I unpeg the strap to lower the window. Assaulted by cinders, smoke and roar I close it

Crewe Junction
The train stops, each carriage clanking up against the next. Cup of tea & bacon butty from the platform cafe under gaslight. Put a penny in a glass cabinet to watch a model train turn its wheels. Print my name on an aluminum strip in a cast iron pedestal

I reboard - an old lady has my seat. She glares at me so I sit at the opposite end. She smells of lavender. We start but there’s nothing to see except my reflection in the dark outside. The occasional light whizzes by. Eagle time

Holyhead
I’m bursting for to wee, The train stops by the Irish ferry. Nain in Sunday coat, short, ruddy face, open arms. Tide, dignified, watchchain, twitches his moustache in welcome

Store Your Happy Memories Here:

monkey_magic — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 02:36:44 GMT

Swimming in the ocean with sea turtles...smelling the sea & air,watching seagulls fly past. Seeing the turtles head bob up & down....amazing

Store Your Happy Memories Here:

Starwolf — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 04:13:36 GMT

Walking along the tide line on a postcard perfect tropical beach, white sand so fine it creaks underfoot. Pausing every few steps to pick up and admire the colour, shape and texture of exotic sea shells, watching the fringe of palm trees sway, listening to their creaks and rustles in the breeze. Soaking in the iodized air and fine sea spray. Keeping an eye on breaking waves for a glimpse of porpoise fin. On the sky for a sea eagle gliding in slow circles interrupted by a lightning dive. Giving beached jellyfish and marine carcasses a wide berth.

7 km of Paradise from one fishing village to another. All the time in the world to reach the other end and share a cardamom chai with fishermen and skin divers. Taking a child from her mother while she pokes and feeds a coconut husk fire in the chai shop open kitchen. Sitting the child on my hip as she plays with my hair, giggling. Still carrying her, dancing on the sand to the sound of reggae music, the pulse of the tropics.

Feeling I have found my slot in the world, my place within the human family. At last.

Store Your Happy Memories Here:

MarkJT — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 04:53:36 GMT

Traveling to Seattle in December, 2016, to fulfill a promise i made myself whilst in hospital with PTSD - watch my Seattle Seahawks (NFL) play at Century Link, the loudest (per capita) stadium in the USA.

Was the most amazing night and memories that I will cherish forever.

Store Your Happy Memories Here:

1113 — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 05:19:25 GMT

Peaceful hello all,

Memories,

I remember playing in a tear shaped garden when i was 2 years old. It was just before we moved to our new house. I like playing around this garden a lot.

After we moved and I grew up a bit we had a pure bread border collie that used to pull me around on my skate board. Thats a pure joy childhood memory.

I remember lots of times actually.

The best memory i have is when I was very ill and my boy was born. Nothing could stop me from that event.

Till this day sickmor not sick my boy is my pride and joy.

Peace all

Happy Aussie day

Matt.

Store Your Happy Memories Here:

Wednesday — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 07:08:39 GMT

I recently had a lovely time playing cars and trains with my tiny grandson with the odd song thrown in, 'down by the station early in the morning' and some others he taught me in Chinese and Korean. We made caves out of pillows and play dough cupcakes and vegetables.

I gave due reverence to his group of imaginary animal friends. Luckily he was able to make sure that he kept the small rainbow coloured lizard sitting on his shoulder safe from his clumsy grandma's hands.

I did have some difficulty with the green for go and red for stop lights, which I couldn't see! He kindly explained when the light was green or red so that my car could stop or zoom along. I happily sat read so very many stories with him cuddled up next to me. His please grandma.. had me at the p.

Now home again I have very nearly untangled myself from his little finger or maybe I wont!

Store Your Happy Memories Here:

Guest_322 — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 12:41:34 GMT

1. Music lessons:

Auditioning for a concert pianist. The audition itself was nerve racking and something that I had dreaded for weeks.

But the end result? Said concert pianist became my teacher and mentor. Lessons with him: an education.

2. Academics

Jumping online to learn that I had received an offer for my first uni preference.

3. Travel (albeit limited)

The feeling of newness, excitement and possibility from my (limited) travels. It makes me feel alive.

I love being on planes too. I know lots of people hate it but I enjoy the experience. There's a certain freedom being that high up.

I wish that I had the disposable income to be a frequent flyer. One day...

Dottie x

Store Your Happy Memories Here:

Guest_3072 — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 08:54:03 GMT

Watching the Australia Day fireworks with my family from the front yard (at the local park a few houses away) and just being in awe of how lucky I am to live in this country and to be surrounded by people who love and appreciate me. All the different colours and sparkles from the fireworks to me kind of symbolised all the different happy moments that I have shared with the people I love and the loud bangs to me were like reminders of how loudly and proudly I am to be Australian. Also, all the beautiful spectrum of colours in from of the dark night sky are like symbols of how good times shine through the darkness. Not sure if this makes any sense at all hahaha!

Gabby xx

Store Your Happy Memories Here:

Guest_1055 — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 10:25:48 GMT

A happy memory for me today is:

Seeing and smelling yellow cobs of freshly picked corn boiling gently away in a large pot. And knowing I would soon get to eat the sweet juicy cobs. This is a childhood memory...... Thank you mum for cooking it thankyou dad for growing it.

Yummy.....yummy

Store Your Happy Memories Here:

Just Sara — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 13:07:45 GMT

Great thread Croix!! Thanks...

I was a smiling 7 y/o girl who met a nearly 7 y/o smiling boy in the street of my mums best friend. We clicked immediately and began a torrid love affair. (as only kids can do) He, a white haired good looking boy with gentle hands and a beautiful smile; me with blonde swirling curls and eager to please. Both enamored by each other; holding hands as we walked down the middle of our quiet street while other young one's mocked us with taunts and whistles.

It could've been New York, Amsterdam or a sheep track at the back of Bourke, it didn't matter, our love transcended suburbia humdrum. The leaning white wooden barrier over the storm water channel was our perfect water view, and the pot holed road was our walk down Sunset Boulevard in June.

The thing is, it was innocent. No fear or doubt, no what-if's or how much. The natural progression was marriage and babies...I'm smiling as I remember. He actually proposed (as a matter of fact) to which I replied; "Ok. But I have to ask mum." We both smiled then kissed on the lips with pursed mouths. My first kiss!

No, I didn't marry him, but I never forgot. We lost touch a few weeks later and met up in high school, sharing a secret 'look' and smile as we passed each other on the stairwell. No words necessary...

Store Your Happy Memories Here:

Croix — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 11:35:43 GMT

The Household.
We have three pets at the moment, or they have two - depends on perspective I guess.

There have always been animals to go though life with us.

There's the little porky dog, it's tan and shaped like a zeppelin with a toothpick at each corner. Much stronger than me (so my wife has to take the lead on our walk). It often masquerades as an honorary cat, and as such entitled to the cat food left by the other cats.

There's Nasty Cat, small, mean spirited, holds the title deeds to our bed and hisses at all and sundry. I read out-loud recipes for Cat Maryland (you know deep pan, egg yokes, breadcrumbs etc ) to her - makes not the slightest impression, just glares and remains on the bed.

And of course Sumo cat. He gradually grew into the name, we first got him from the pound, where he was in a little felt igloo curled up with his back to the entrance - and would not come out. Apparently he had been found
wandering in a garden and brought there. At that stage he was small and more timid than timid. We took him
home in his igloo and left him in the kitchen corner, still safe in his little felt retreat.

The Zeppelin Dog and the Nasty Cat gobbled their heads off as usual and eventually an eye peeped out. We shooed the others outside and Scaredy-Cat came out to sniff the remnants, found them to his satisfaction and dined.

He had at that stage chosen his own name. As time progressed he decided he could dine in company and did so, and did so, and did so. Before all that long he was larger than Nasty Cat and developing a very fine set of whiskers.

Post breakfast he would sit on top of a gate-post at the end of a bower of clematis and nectarine visible from the kitchen window. He became convinced he was surveying his personal territory and started to develop a Royal Manner - timidity now very much taking the backseat.

As months and breakfasts went on the overhang on the post became perilous, so I had to nail a round board on top. This eventually itself became insufficient and a larger board substituted. Around this time he changed his name to Sumo Cat.

He is still trying to catch up to Zeppelin Dog, though in the competition over licking out the sardine can (Watch it! -tomato sauce variety only thank you) he has, for the moment met his match.

We're looking forward with interest to see if the hierarchy changes.

Store Your Happy Memories Here:

Gruffudd — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 13:03:32 GMT

One day in 1993 my dog Lucy and I decided to climb the mountain. So it was out past the castle and up through the town. Then on past the houses with the front gardens, some of them had the doors open with the warm weather and there was a glimpse of how the other half lived. On we went onto mountain road and then tho common. There was a red fox with white mittens and a white tip on its tail, we watched each other for a while before it turned and ran. Onwards up the hill. The town spread out below with the patchwork fields all around. And there it was, our destination. A bowl of water for the dog and an ice cream from a 1950's American caravan for me. Da iawn.

Store Your Happy Memories Here:

monkey_magic — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 11:27:22 GMT

Looking all around me seeing white & the peaks of many mountains. I thrust myself with the poles sliding swaying slightly left then right left then right. I bend my knees, bum in the air poles facing behind me & off I go skiing down the mountain...life is so peaceful here & I find a sense of bliss. I'm listening to the sound of my skis gashing into the snow & looking at the marks they're leaving behind. My own personal trail left by my momevents in the snow. I hold onto the lift and am jolted back up the hill excited to feel the breeze and fly down the mountain again. Again & again. I don't want this to end.

Store Your Happy Memories Here:

Just Sara — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 06:22:48 GMT

Speaking of mountains Rob and Steph;

The first time I watched 'The Sound of Music'...absolutely tremendous! I was a little girl at the cinema who loved to sing and dance with my sisters and always wanted brothers and a nice family. The Brady Bunch can go fly a kite!

Sara

Store Your Happy Memories Here:

Music_Freak — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 08:46:07 GMT

My happy memories involve Halestorm, having seen them live six times so far and having chatted to them loads as well as my instagram for the drummer and having him and his wife like and comment on heaps of pics...and lots of other stuff, but those memories are my happy place 🙂

Store Your Happy Memories Here:

Guest_1055 — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 12:24:05 GMT

A happy memory that is coming to my mind is:

Waking up on Christmas morning when I was 8 or 9 years old and going somewhere in the garage and seeing a beautiful new green bike. It was for me, it had a white basket attached to the front and long streamers hanging out from the handle bars. And green was my favourite colour back then. But the more happier memory attached to that one was when my mum took me down to the deserted horse racing track. I had her all to myself, she was focused on me and teaching me how to ride. There were no other siblings there, she wasn't busy working any job. Just me and her. I remember her pushing the back of the bike and her saying " just keep pedaling....keep pedaling!

Store Your Happy Memories Here:

TBella — Sat, 04 Feb 2017 23:21:08 GMT

You write so well. May I suggest you write books! I think you would be great at it!

I felt like I had escaped to another world, just reading your short story here! It was a great feeling to forget & be distracted from reality for a while! I think you have a great gift! Please write some more!

Thank you

Store Your Happy Memories Here:

Croix — Sun, 05 Feb 2017 01:47:41 GMT

Dear TBella~

I'm very happy this thread is doing what I'd hoped - to provide a brief moment of ease - great.

Do you have your own thread? Makes it much easier to talk to you if you have.

Anyway as you asked I'll set down another one, from my youth this time, (I guess it's much about perspective too)

Y Merlyn
Picture a slightly tubby youth, decked out in hacking-jacket, jodhpurs, hard hat and shiny boots clutching a riding crop and walking towards the stables were the new occupant had been installed by parents.

The youth is confident, with many months – no years’ experience in a riding school trotting on calm beasts too weary to voice an opinion.

The occupant on the other hand is short – 13 hands, stocky and with unkempt dun coat, bristly mane and tail. Comes from the Snowdon area in Wales.

The youth enters the stable, dark and smelling of hay and dung. The occupant is in the centre stall, backside towards the youth.

Picking up the bridle he opens the half-door and enters the stall, heading towards the head, in order to fit the bridle.

As he reaches the middle of the stall the occupant looks round and then edges over – firmly squashing the youth against the side.

Several hacking-jacket buttons later the youth reaches the head and tries to open the occupant’s mouth to insert the snaffle. No cooperation. Then too much, that mouth open and closes on the youth.

Dragging arm out (with a rag of sleeve left as evidence) the youth loses presence of mind and heads back to the door, forgetting in his haste the occupant has other options.

Just as he starts to close the door a casual kick lands on it, tumbling the youth to the floor.

The occupant finds hay in her manger and contemplates.

------

Postscript - Having demonstrated the natural superiority of Welsh Mountain Ponies over all other lifeforms the occupant became much more cooperative (or did I learn more sense?) and we often went for enjoyable excursions in the leafy English countryside (route by mutual agreement).

Store Your Happy Memories Here:

Guest_1055 — Sun, 05 Feb 2017 01:59:38 GMT

Enjoyed reading that memory Croix, thanks heaps for sharing it!

Shell