One time, at band camp...

For the past few days I have been reminded of memories. I don't usually dwell on the past or try to bring up old times; it's just not what I do. But this week, one crazy memory turned into another crazy memory and then every time I turned around something would remind me of a "once before", or someone was talking about their "once before". It's weird. It’s like when you buy a bright orange Dodge Challenger, because it's super cool and not many people in town have one, and then once you get it home suddenly four of your neighbors have one...it's like that. Memories are surrounding me this week.

It's odd to me the things I remember so vividly vs. the things I should remember but can't.

Like for instance:

When I was kid (side note: when I tell something from back-in-the-day, I always want to start my story off with, "One time, at band camp". Does everyone do that, or is it just me?) most of my memories where crazy fun stuff that almost always were at the hand of my sister. Like when she spit on a cricket and it jumped on her nose. It attached itself to her nose and wouldn't let go. She ran in circles screaming and swatting at it to try to get it off. Of course, I was laughing too hard to even think about helping her and besides where would the fun be in that? To do this day, she freaks out around bugs... insanely funny! Ooohh, I, also, remember the first time I got a nose bleed. A bunch of neighborhood kids and I were playing hide-and-seek in the dark and I ran smack dab into a tree. I can remember it like it was yesterday.

I, also, remember my first full-on crush. Matthew Wells, 3rd grade. He was beautiful, just beautiful. Every day during recess while playing four square, I would profess my undying love to him. I would tell him, "Matthew, you know I really want you to be my boyfriend" and he would just shake his head and say, "I know you do". He never would be my boyfriend. I think I was to forward for him. I still crushed on him for years...in fact, I think I still have a crush on him.

Of course, I remember tons of fun things from high school, but I can't remember things like prom or graduation (and no, it's not because of alcohol). I remember going to see the Janet Jackson concert with my bff, Joyann and her mom. Her mom was an algebra teacher at our high school. Her classes took on more of the "serious" vibe, so it was pretty awesome to go back to school and tell everyone that I danced it up with Mrs. Schalk at the Janet Jackson concert.

My years spent after high school are what I can't remember the most, and that bothers me. I'm sure there's good stuff to be remembered, but for reasons unknown to me I can't seem to draw them out. I know there was a "first love" and "first real heartbreak" during those years, but since both occurred within the same relationship, it sorda puts a damper on those memories. I do remember buying my first brand new car (not used) all by myself...that was cool and seemed like a very "grown-up" thing to do.

Then there are the memories of my wedding and the birth of my kids — those things are still very clear in my mind. I can't remember how much my kids weighed or their inches in length when they were born, my husband can, but I can't. I, also, can't remember the exact age they were when they walked. But, I can remember the first time each one had their first "bleeding" boo-boo and every stitch, sprain, and broken bone they ever had. Needless to say, those last three mentioned were all Jase.

It's fun to remember things from the past and to be able to share my "One time, at band camp" stories with people. I need to do a better job of remembering the things with my kiddos. Those are priceless and I would love to be able to share those band camp stories with them when they grow up. Maybe I will start keeping a memory journal.