Share Some Memories
This was a romance magazine from about 1968. I was reminded of it when I was describing to a class for new police sergeants, the way Denver looked on a weekend afternoon in the late 1960s. I said the area from City Hall to the Colorado Capitol building was “wall-to-wall Hippies.” One of the younger people in the class laughed and said, “Oooh, you mean Beatniks or Peaceniks or just Long-Hairs?” Several held up their fingers in the “peace” sign and swayed back and forth. They were just joking and I realized that since they were nearly all born after 1985, the term sounded antiquated.
I think I called them Rat-Finks and Young Whippersnappers. But for just a moment I wished there was someone in the class who had shared that memory of Denver with me.
When my Dad was in his final days he talked about family members who had passed away, many of them decades before. He said, wistfully, “All the people I could talk to about times when I was younger have been gone for years.” I knew how he felt, but have come to understand it more every year since then.
That is probably one of the biggest values of reunions (both high school and family), retiree associations, and casual get-togethers with those we used to work with. Sure, some of the memories are a bit (or a lot) exaggerated, but at least it brings back shared times and reminds us of the way we were, individually and together. Even if you’re not so very old, there are times past that won’t come again and that are fun or interesting to recall with someone who was there.
This week, send an email, make a phone call or go visit someone who might enjoy remembering some the of the things you remember. Pick a time or situation and start the old-fashioned way: “Do you remember when…..?”
This article is a grabber for me. In my case it applies to tenure in our organization as well as age. I am the only one here who remembers when we were in a small building and when we had none of the things everyone thinks is essential to do the job. (OMG, they’re not getting us Ipads?????) I sometimes feel alone in a sea of new faces. I especially hate it when they talk down to me, like I’m too old to understand modern business. I don’t even know how to contact the people I used to work with, but I think I’ll try a lunch meeting with a few of us if I can track them down.
Comment by P.J. | April 10, 2012
Every one of your posts have “heart”, and this one especially does. I know you were mostly talking about work but the mention of your Dad’s comment really touched me. My “Mama”, Maria Rossi Alberello kept family ties tight because she said it was important to keep memories alive. I’m afraid we’ve let her down and I think I’ll work on that this week. Thanks, Tina.
Comment by K.A. | April 10, 2012
It also gets tiresome to hear about how things used to be, all the time. If someone wants to talk about the good old days, they should find someone who remembers it as well as they do, like you suggested, rather than telling it to everyone else over and over. That sounds mean, but honestly you’d have to be in my office to understand how irritating it gets!
Comment by wippersnapper | April 10, 2012
Aunt Tina, remember when you were just a young girl and your oldest brother became a father, making you an Aunt? I don’t, of course, but looking back, as you have invited me to do, I can almost imagine how that must have made you feel just a little bit more grown up, all of a sudden.
Let’s see, I was born in 1956, so that must’ve made you about…. well, probably just a young Hippie Chick, I guess.
May Peace, Love and Rock-n-Roll always be yours!
Love you, man.. err, woman!
Comment by Ernest Lewis | April 10, 2012
Tina says: Yes, Ernie, I remember it very well. I thought you were adorable! When you came to visit when you were about 3 years old and I was thirteen or so, I walked with you all over town so I could show you to my friends. How’s this for memories: You calling the guppies (tropical fish) puppies. You touching the aquarium and saying, with a breathy tone, “ooohhhh, hot!” We were all enthralled with you…..and still are!
Comment by TLR | April 10, 2012
I believe the older and the younger generations can learn a lot from eachother.
Memories and past experiences we can learn from and embrace.
I remember attending your training classes Tina, where you showed a lot of your past and present, with pictures. I am so glad that I have taken numerous pictures throughout my career, so I can share them with co-workers, freinds and family members. It really shows how I have grown as an Officer and a person.
P.S. Not too many people can remember, getting a kiss from “Elvis”!!
Comment by B.H. | April 12, 2012
Now you’ve really made me feel old! Yes, I clearly remember that scene in Denver as I drove around and through the city on my way to camps in the mountains. We had similar scenes in Kansas City. Those were amazing times and I chuckle when people our age complain about young people today. Our memories seems to be very short and selective.
Come to think about it, I think you called me rat-fink! Or did I call you rat-fink? Thanks for the memories!
Comment by Jeff Adams | April 12, 2012
Tina says: Jeff, YOU called ME Rat-Fink! You even wrote it in my yearbook! At the time it was a term of endearment. I think. 🙂
Comment by TLR | April 13, 2012
Tina says: BH, keep taking those photos! And, isn’t it wonderful when we see that we have grown and matured in our work and lives? Thanks for commenting!
Comment by TLR | April 13, 2012
Hello Ms. Rowe, I want to report that I got in touch with an old partner of mine last week and we had a great conversation. We both thank you for the reminder to share memories. We shared memories of the 1950s in St. Louis, when it was a really great city. The only problem now is that we want to get back to work, which is a little hard for two old men in their 80s. God bless you for all you have done.
Comment by Pearly R. | April 15, 2012
My grandkids look at pictures of me when I was in college and say i was hippie. I didn’t think of myself that way, i was just dressed like everyone else and stood around at rallies and pretended i knew what they were talking about. I keep hoping the young people i see nowadays will turn out to be mainstream citizens like most of us hippies did.
Comment by EK2002 | April 15, 2012