As Time Goes By!

Recently son Mark asked for photos of his cousin, Arthur Douville.  Arthur celebrating his fiftieth birthday and friends wanted photos from his childhood.  Going through my albums I found numerous pictures of Arthur, his sisters and parents, but the memories flowed forth, spewing out in every direction, so many, so fast, I had to stop, put the photos in small keepsake piles, allowing for quality time with each grouping, enabling me to fathom the vastness of our lifetime and just how quickly these wonderful memories have been made.

Tomorrow I celebrate another birthday, yet the upward movement of years doesn't consume me.  Since I have no control over it, going with the flow is the best option.  During my photo search for Arthur, I also found the pictures from my fortieth birthday, which was a generation ago!  Planned as a surprise by family, friends and Fred's News patrons, it was the party event of the year.

 Longtime friend, Edna Girard graced one of the photos, probably the last one taken in Fred's News, she would leave us all too soon.  I am thankful for the picture, my mouth waters for her Ambrosia Salad, my annual birthday present.  Years after she had passed, husband Hogan, faithfully following her recipe, surprised me with the special present.  Edna, looking down, must of been proud, it was scrumptious.

Although, many in the little grouping of "my fortieth b-day" photos, are now enjoying themselves at the big Fred's News in the sky, it was wonderful to view these pictures and to know each one of these people, have a special place in my heart.  There was Happy Adams:  Mr. Bill, Happy and I heading to Florida in Happy's van.  We were driving straight through so as not to miss any of the warm Florida sunshine.  Middle of winter in New England can sometimes be tricky when planning a departure, that year, no exception, yet it would be the ride home that would be one for the record books.  As we headed back north after nearly a week in ninety degree weather, a cold front headed South.  We would be greeted by snow flurries as far south as Jacksonville, Florida, but once we crossed the boarder the weather went strictly downhill. Snow from Georgia to New Jersey, blizzard conditions in the Carolinas, no snow plows, road graders were used.  Finally reaching Virginia we headed off the first exit, as did everyone else, in search of accommodations.  What we found, not the best, one room, two double beds and a very shy Happy Adams.  I think he slept all night in his clothes.  I reminded him we had just spent the week together, at the beach, all he wore was his swimming trunks, perhaps he would of been more comfortable sleeping in those!

Our friend Richie Oatley also pictured at my big four-O.  Remembering him huffing and puffing up and down the stairs as we moved to our new home above Fred's News, "Jesus, Dee, who the hell do you think you are, Imelda Marcos!" he lamented.  This was in reference to all the shoes that needed to be transported during the move.  Alright, Rich, you win I admit, I DO HAVE A SHOE FETISH!

Tears swelled in my eyes as I held the picture of Jim MacD., he left all of us much too soon.  At times, he could really piss you off, yet my memories of him clearing tables, washing off dishes and consoling me, as Mr. Bill began the drive to the Vet, with our beloved Fred the Dog.  Jim knew what it meant to recently loose a cherished pet, loosing all of his black Labs in such a short span of time.  He stayed with me, when the phone call came in, Fred the Dog was now at peace, Jim MacD and I cried...together.  Thanks Jim, it is a memory I will hold dear, in that special place, my heart.

Yes, there are many more fortieth stories, forty pairs of earrings, great poems about reaching the milestone and so many pictures,  Each time I view them, more memories surface.  My kids, now grown, had hair, sorry guys, Todd had a mullet....sorry Tracie, Mr. Bill was a tad bit thinner and me, well let's just say, there have been changes in the last nineteen years.  My hair was long, curly and auburn, it is now short, gray, spiked much like wire, but I do have hair.  Oh yes, I know these things, my bifocals allow me to see these precious photos!