Store Your Happy Memories Here:

[Croix]

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

[Simona]

Missing my 18 yr old son. Think I only seen him once this year. Last memory of him he came for a couple of days. He lives in the city far away from me. Went to art gallery together and a café. ah he's happy where he is so I should be happy too

[monkey_magic]

Feeling my spirits lift and soul glow after each loving, praising word. The flowers were pretty, our first kisses lifting. Giving every ounce of love back to me, filling my soul until it is overflowing...I'm full of love and excitement for weeks. His name on my mind his love in my heart. Friends for five years become lovers. Scared runaways became mutual love. Learning and fumbling as we go knowing that we have pure love and luck on our sides. We understand. We are the same. Our hearts understand. Our brains intertwine. I am his and he is mine.

[Croix]

Dear Simona~

A mixed sort of memory I guess, missing you son. There is a lot there though to feel good about, he came to see you, was happy to be with you at the gallery and cafe, and his life is happy where he is.

Seeing a child become and adult is a special feeling, and does to some extent compensate for their leaving.

Croix

[Croix]

Dear MM~

Well, it sounds like you have found someone to be with, someone that not only loves but understands, a kindred spirit. How wonderful.

Reading this will make a happy memory for me too

Croix

[Doolhof]

A few little snippets:

Seeing the expression on the cat's face when we first showed her the hens.

Finding beautiful blooms on my favourite rose bush.

Have a friend's sheep nuzzle up to my legs for attention.

The smile on a stranger's face when I have smiled at them.

[Croix]

Dear Mrs D~

It's nice to see you here again.

I guess a lot of us struggle to find happy memories and maybe fall into a trap, thinking they have to be a complete event or activity. Your idea of just preserving 'happy snippets' is really great.

So yes each of those evokes a lovely picture - except the sheep, a friendly wether used to 'nudge' me in an effort to gain attention - and I'd go flying. He did not know his own strength!

Thank you

Croix

[Doolhof]

Dear Croix and All,

Little snippets can be wonderful. Like looking at a photograph instead of a video. Happiness and pleasure can be there in both cases.

The sheep we have borrowed have all gone home for "Haircuts" and may return after a couple of weeks, allowing the grass here to recover a little bit, then we will see what happens rain wise.

One of the whethers is such a gentle giant, he nudges like a cute little kitten wanting food and runs up to greet me as I call out to them.

Just thinking of this sheep's antics puts a smile on my face.

Cheers all from Mrs. D.

[Quercus]

Hi Mrs D (and Mr. Walrus of course),

Snapshots. What a great idea. I've been trying to find a happy memory to pick me up and keep coming up blank. But if I think of taking photographs of my day there was happiness there.

Mr 4, face to the sky, eyes closed. Blissfully enjoying the first blueberries off our shrubs this year. Savoring the taste.

Hubby showing us a video on his phone of the two bobtail lizards that have decided to make a home of our water tank under the pump cover. The kids laughing. The way hubby draws out the word... Baaab tail.

Smell of garlic and smoky spices all through the house as I cook mexican beef and rice. Miss 2 asking me for more spicey rice even as she munches on a chocolate treat!

Hubby taking my comment "blah I think they cut away my sex drive along with my hair" as the call for help it was.

Hmm. Yes. Today was a happy day. I just couldn't see it. Thanks Mrs. D.

[Doolhof]

Dear Quercus,

You are most welcome!

[Quercus]

Wow. It's been a slow time for happy memories. That's a shame. I will share one...

Early morning. Sun is up already. It is going to be hot today. I drive away from the city. Alone. Opposite direction is bumper to bumper. Standstill. Frustrated drivers... Not me. My way is clear. Soon I am almost alone on the highway. Turn up the cd. Jon Bellion fills the car. LOUD. I don't hold the weight of the world he sings. The breath leaves my body in a rush. I let go of tension I wasn't aware was there. Escape.

My world is slow. There is no rush even on the way to an interview. There are welding gloves on my handbag just in case I see a bobtail sunning on the road to rescue. I laugh at this. You can't take the country out of this girl.

As I arrive a driver gives me the usual hello.... Lift a finger from the steering wheel. I smile and return the greeting. I love everything about the place. It feels like coming home. Red rocky ground and peace.

After the interview she stops and asks about my degree. Asks if she has other relief positions if I'm keen. I laugh and suggest the gardener. Her look is unusually calculating. She opens a door. Come with me.

There it is. A quadrangle of pristine lawn. Trees pruned beautifully. But I follow her eye. She looks uncomfortable. Look at our roses! He doesn't do "pretty things". There are terraced garden beds. The skeleton of a once loved garden. The weeds tower above the roses. My hands twitch.

She smiles as I grin. "I'm in love" I say. She laughs. I would love to work in there and make it beautiful. My heart aches for it. This place feels like home. It looks like a neglected version of my nans garden. She gives me a job with a satisfied nod and a calculating look.

I drive home in happy tears. This is my future. I have to be patient. I will work hard with the work I am given now and one day that garden at the school will be my place. He can do the lawns and trees and I will make things beautiful for the kids to enjoy.

There is hope. Just be patient.