As you get older, it’s funny how photographically you categorize events in your life. I’ve tried hard to picture my first memories of my childhood and images come and go in my mind. For example, I vividly remember 1976. That year had multiple significant events in my life, and the American Life.
I remember raising two fingers and saying, “peace man peace.” I remember the bicentennial American experience. My grandmother sewed me multiple revolutionary uniforms. Knicker and clawed tail jacket included. I was so patriotic, I wore then to school. The funny thing is, I don’t remember getting laughed at.
I remember being introduced to Jim McKay in the Olympics on TV. The Olympics were sponsored by Brim coffee, among other consumer products. Another interesting thing I remember was a warm summer night when family friends, Donnie & Glenda Smith came over to watch the Olympics with us. Donnie owned the coolest 1970 Camaro. After eating water melon slices and spitting out melon seeds, I was responsible to take the rinds into the woods. How did I know that a criminal had escaped the local prison and decided he needed a 1970 Camaro. I’m certain I walked right by him. Donnie and Glenda looked at the clock and said they needed to leave. When they walked outside, the 70 was gone. I have always wondered if the thief saw me and thought about kidnapping me.
All of these thoughts make me realize just how eventful this year was. I tried to think before that time tonight, and all I could think about was a banana seat bicycle. That stuck out in my mind.
Closing my eyes, I cracked a little smile for these memories. My mom still has my revolutionary suits. I’m still friends with Donnie and Glenda, and I still watch the Olympics. When I see a late 60s early 70s Camaro, I think about Donnie. Memories are great things. I think they are gifts from God. Think about your memories.
We love you so much, Kyle. That goes for your whole family.
ReplyDeleteI just want to let you know that I got the 1969 Camaro (silver with a navy blue vinyl top) my sophomore year in college. Driving in pouring rain on my last trip home from UNC-Greensboro my freshman year, I totaled a navy 1965 Galaxie 500, packed with my college dorm "stuff". My dad had picked that out to enable me to commute to college .
Of course, I did not want to have an accident. It was quite terrifying when the back of the car went underneath a transfer trailer. In turn that whirled the car over the median on business I-40. The front half of the car was om the eastbound side of I-40 and the back half on I-40 going west. That said, I must admit that I liked the 1969 Camaro a million times better than the Ford.
I would not even mention the difference in the years of the Camaro, but there was such a big body style difference.
I think it was the 1980 Olympics. Your mom really enjoyed the boxing.
Oh, my Camaro was found in Gastonia in the woods. A motorcyclist found it. It had been stripped of tires, wheels, seats, a carton of Pepsis, and a Bible that Aunt Ivey Nell had given me for my high school graduation. It was really sad. 1969 Camaros are still one of my all-time favorite cars. Mine was never fixed back to my satisfaction, especially the seats.
It is so nice to be remembered. I wish it could have been a happier memory. At least, it was fairly unique.
You are right about the 1976 Olympics. Donnie and I were married May 15, 1976. The 1980 Olympics were canceled due to conflicts with this Soviet Union.
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