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

[Quercus]

Hi Ms Purple,

Spirit animal. I like that 😊 Sorry to hear you had a tough weekend but I like your memory. Animals are simply amazing.

Well I feel like a happy memory today... Croix I think this thread is a God send... We think of a good memory which makes us happy. We share it which makes others happy. They comment which makes us feel appreciated (and happy). All the more joy.

Right....

Heat of summer. I lie in the shade of the gumtrees in the park. Pretending to sleep. Laying on a bed of lush green grass. A little oasis in the expanse of brown and yellow. Hot. Hot. Hot. Too lazy to move. The kids pull out handfuls of grass and throw it half heartedly at eachother. Too hot to even cause mischief properly.

Dad's here! They run on unsteady little legs. He is swarmed by little ferals in floppy sun hats. He crouches. Mock seriousness. They stand up straight. All attentiveness and struggling to keep still. He sends me a wink. Have you been good for Mum? One nods. The other shakes her head no. We laugh. He presents the surprise anyway.

Two little kids. Eyes wide and excited. Icecream! Icecream! Dad is the BEST! We lounge on the grass and try not to laugh. The icecream is bigger than her arm. There is chocolate and icecream all over them. A joyous sticky mess.

Their happiness is so beautiful to watch. The only thing I am enjoying more is watching my husband develop a nervous twitch. I start to laugh. He turns. Don't stress I'll take them for a splash in the river... Your car will survive another day as toddler taxi. His sigh of relief sets me off. I laugh and settle back in the grass.

The heat is glorious.

[Croix]

History
A red diesel double-decker bus in the ‘50s was a marvellous thing. I used to ride one on my way to school. You entered from the rear platform, running and grabbing the rail if late – as I often was.

My favourite 2 seats were up the front on the right, where, just the other side of a glass window sat the driver in his little cab, shoulders in blue moving with the big wheel, and white peaked cap swinging side to side.

There was a white chord both sides you could pull to ring a bell. One ring was a passenger wanting to get off, two was the conductor telling the driver to go.

My other favourite position was upstairs at the front the widow right over the engine, you could see all of life.

One day the Inspector boarded. Unlike the conductor and driver - and me I suppose - who wore their uniforms in a relaxed (read scruffy) manner the Inspector was so different.

Spit-shined boots with laces stright accross, knife-edged crease in navy trousers, great-coat immaculate with brass button mirrors. His hair was clipped short with a waxed moustache and his London Transport cap altered so the gleaming black visor came down over his eyes in best Guards fashion.

I always remembered him and wondered at his history, what were the best days of his life.

[Croix]

Dear MsPurple~

Animals are such a blessing, the number of people who find that loving link essential is astounding. Each has character, and as you find, many a sixth sense when needed. You will trigger so many fond memories by your story.

I hope you move in the future and get a dog of you own, completes life I guess.

Dear Quercus~

I just love

Have you been good for Mum? One nods. The other shakes her head no

Amazing. Thank you

Croix

[Just Sara]

I went to a health retreat last week and returned yesterday. The coastal resort was settled among well established tropical greenery with tall palm trees dotting the azure sky that stayed present throughout my stay. The days were warm and inviting; a welcome change to frost ridden mornings. It was a feast for the senses impressing calm, stillness and smiles of gratitude on me.

My accommodation was modern, pleasant and comfortable, providing a home away from home feel. Although there were 18 stairs to my bedroom, it enhanced the exercise regime I confronted while there, adding to my 10,000 steps per day minimum. (Which I accomplished...yay!)

I met lovely people from all ages and walks of life, also there to kick start their bodies and minds into remembering we're alive. We endured hard slog when it came to overcoming our sedentary lifestyles; in the pool, on the tennis court, beach, workout area and km's of walking tracks. I never thought I was capable of such things each day.

Meals were 5 star quality at their restaurant; healthy, nourishing, filling and very tasty. And yes; I lost 4 kilo's in 6 days for my efforts in sticking to the plan...very proud of me. 🙂

The most memorable though, was being taught how to 'box'. I told my trainer I wouldn't be able to do it due to injuries, but she persisted...and won. I never thought my body could work like that! How amazed I was to let loose with such power and precision. (I'm shaking my head as I write)

As I quickly struck her gloves time and again, I became energised and literally felt built up tension pouring out of my body. I cried with happiness. She stopped me concerned, but I assured her I was ok and continued. Btw...she said I was a natural! Ha! Who woulda thunk?

I had an epiphany while there too; a meaningful idea for my future. I now have purpose. Sigh...does it get any better?

Life's what I make it, so unless I step out of my comfort zone to risk learning and experiencing new things, I won't know what I'm missing or capable of.

Miles of smiles...

Sara xo

[Quercus]

Hi Sara,

That was a happy and inspiring memory indeed 😊. For some reason boxing really suits the idea of you I have in my head ... so go kickass woman go! 😊.

Thank you for sharing that with us.

[Croix]

Dear Sara~

I'm glad you are here, you always manage to inspire and give a positive note. For anyone that has followed you though some of the very worst of times it is really heartening to see you gain such benefit and happiness - together with insight and resolve -from your time away. I guess if you can there is great hope for others.

Croix

[kanga_brumby]

Big bloke C evidently moon is worried about you she hasn't seen you about for a bit

[Just Sara]

What inspires me is feedback; thankyou both - Croix and Quercus!

I suppose my avatar conjures up thoughts of a kick ass woman on a mission. Ha ha And yes Croix, I guess I'm beginning to understand my present and future is pretty alright "...despite my past"

Sara xo

[MsPurple]

Sara that resort sounded lovely and exactly what you needed. How amazing does it feel to do something you didn't think you were capably of?! It is so liberating. I'm so glad your trainer persisted. Now you can look back with a smile.

Quercus I love thinking about myself as a kid, during summer having icecream by the river or lake. Makes me smile every time. We used to go to the river/beach a lot when I was a kid, as I lived on a beach town. We also had a great play ground area just across the road from the beach which was great too. I also love the fact you profile picture is a fox 🙂 Have you seen the youtube fox adoption videos (it needed some rehab and afterwards was too tame to release). It is so cute

I just came back from an awesome long weekend in Melbourne. I got to catch up with two of my uni friends and go out for dinner and have a great catch up.

[Quercus]

Hi MsPurple,

No I haven't seen that will have to check it out though. But it reminds me of a memory 😊...

Glad to hear you had a good catch up with friends too.

Driving down the road, I turn to look at my husband and he looks stunned.

The car slows to a crawl. What is that? He points. I look. Is she walking a cat on a leash? Nah! Too bloody big to be a cat. He does a U turn and goes back. You can't stalk the poor person hon!

It is a fox! On a leash. A young fox being walked by a girl about 16. It is absolutely gorgeous. He parks the car. We stare. Is it even legal to have a pet fox?

He watches in horror as I get out of the car and go for a look. Don't you dare! I laugh. Oh come on you don't walk a fox and not expect to get attention. He shakes his head and teases me about harrassing teenagers.

No surprise when I catch up someone else has already stopped her. She smiles good naturedly as I blurt the first thing in my mind. We thought you were walking a giant orange cat. My son adores foxes. He is two. Inside I cringe. Yep small talk is not my thing.

Her smile is bright. Would you like to show him? She tells me about finding him as a baby and raising him as a pet. She looks at my son cuddling his fox toy tightly and her smile is wider. Would you like to see a real fox? He nods eyes wide with wonder. She holds her fox up for inspection. He takes in the fluffy tail and pointy nose. Considers his toy fox and the real deal intently.

I thank her and we wave as she continues on her walk. As we drive home my son babbles about the fox and cuddles his toy. When he sleeps I wonder if he dreams of having a fox as well as our dog. Hubby teases me all the way home about the cat comment. He smiles and says he loves how awkward I can be.