Memories
Memories, A Few Thoughts Across Generations from 1990 to 2018
Copyright Harris B McKee 2018
Memory, how wonderful, how fragile, and sometimes painful.
"Yes, mother. the guys in the boat under the bed are gone. It's ok now." We are so sorry that you weren't invited to the party when the father and son returned from the war together to their wives across the hall. We understand how your felt snubbed. I'm sure that they didn't intend to snub you. They were probably just so excited to see their husbands!"
And, "My son Alan is coming to visit me today." "Yes, I am he", my brother said. "No you're not," said she. "Perhaps you knew my sons, Harris and Alan," she said. Alan responded, "Yes, I've known Harris since I was a small boy and Alan all my life." A day later, to a pet in the hall, "Hi, Trapper." A dog remembered, a son not.
"Who is that man in the chair?" Mary replied, "That's my husband Harris." "Well, I don't like him. I think he should leave."
"Did you sleep well?" "Yes, I did." "What time will I see you again?" "Twelve o'clock." "Did you sleep well?" "Yes, I did." What time will I see you again?" "Twelve o'clock."
"When did you have a meeting with the social worker? Why wasn't I told. You are making decisions without involving me. Shouldn't I be involved? How would you like it if I had meetings about you and didn't tell you about it. What do you mean, I have to leave this room? Why didn't you tell me ?" "We had two meetings with the social worker and the therapists." "Why wasn't I there?" "You may have forgotten that they told us that they were planning for April 3rd for your return to the Tower." "What therapists were there?" "DJ and Kristin were there." "Why wasn't I told?"
So it goes with the ones we love. Remembering all the caring and love that has been there through the years. How lucky we are that the memories are only distorted and generally not angry or emotional. How fortunate that outbursts in the evening are forgotten by morning, but obviously there is a burden carried over the night even knowing that the morning will dawn brightly.