Memories of Chips & Gravy

With my rail line out of action I am driving to and from work at the moment. The 40+ minutes in the car is far less productive than the 20 minutes on the train but it leaves me plenty of time for thinking, dreaming and remembering.

I remember when a pint of Coopers Sparkling Ale was $2.05 in first year uni.

I remember drinking them with my friends and sharing cardboard trays of chips and gravy.

I remember turning up slightly pissy to a lecture or three. I remember the cold of the sand in the early morning when we arrived at surf carnivals, the relief of the hot shower afterwards when the day was stormy, how the sea felt warmer than the air and the way my age group were like my brothers and sisters.

I remember how hot it was on our wedding day and the feeling of sweat running down my legs under my heavy dress and the lump in my throat as I choked back happy tears when I walked down the aisle.

I remember playing marbles on the oval everyday at school during lunch and recess for two weeks every year when the ‘marble craze’ hit. I was hopeless at marbles; I always lost my entire to stash to my challengers.

I remember when they turned on the lights at 3am, played ‘New York, New York and sent us home from the local nightclub. I spent many fun nights there with my girlfriends; it was also the place where Steven and I kissed for the first time.

I remember my Nana taking us to the zoo each year when she came to visit from Darwin, I still think of her every time we visit.

I remember how I cried and cried and cried when I finished reading Bridge to Terabithia. I remember the same tears at the end of year four when my best friend Sally left for another school then two years later when Suzy did the same. Each time I lay on my bed under the window and let the tears and loud sobs flow until I felt cleansed.

I remember the sensation of Charlotte being born like it was yesterday and can’t quite believe that we have been parents for more than 10 years.

Time slips by so quickly, reflecting makes me happy and it makes me sad but most of all it reminds me to hold tight to the precious moments and memories. To forgive and be kind because life is too short not to make the most of every single day we are gifted.