As I've been sitting here in my chair at 2:30 in the morning working on an Oracle upgrade for work, my mind has started to drift. Luckily the upgrade is running several hours of self-automated scripts.
I'm reflecting on memory, specifically. Recently in one of my classes, my professor stated, "When everything else goes away, all you have left is your memories". I am going to attempt to recount some important or interesting memories I have had, hopefully without waxing too nostalgic. Maybe one day when I have amnesia, this will help me remember.
1. When I was probably 7 or 8, my family lived in California. My mom has always been a major green thumb and always interested in plants and horticulture. One day a fellow of what I remember to be hispanic origins was talking to my mother about the landscaping in our neighborhood. I think at the time my Dad was at work. I distinctly remember not liking him. At all. He and my Mom went to examine some ivy or vines or something for what seemed like an eternity. She started to be gone so long that I became extremely upset. My 7 year old mind had decided my mother had run off with this guy. It was truly heartbreaking for me for the hour or so she was gone. Of course she came back and didn't leave my dad for a hispanic landscaper. I think this is one of my earliest memories that taught me the importance of family.
2. In the winter of 1993 to 1994, my family moved from Stanton, California (for real.) to Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. That was an INCREDIBLE adjustment, even for a 9 year old. Some of the most important lessons and developments I have made, were made because of that move. I met some people that were great friends for a long time. It also exposed me to prejudice for the first time. People in CA were by in large very progressive and tolerant of differences, but I found Bloomsburg to be somewhat different.
3. The setting is winter 2001, Cincinnati, OH. I was on a charter bus, somewhere. I was a member of a singing/dancing group known as the Glen Este Counterpoint Show Choir. Some of my most fond and painful memories come from this time period. Without digressing, suffice it to say that I hope my children get involved in something half as meaningful as that was to me. Being involved in a competitive team with a morally straight leader is an experience to be coveted.
4. Las Vegas, Nevada, August 10, 2004. Imagine the picture of a 19 year old young man in a suit, walking down Fremont Street. Not the glitzy part with the Stratosphere; take Fremont east a mile or two, and you know where I was. In a suit. In 117 degrees. Talking to every drunk, drug addict, prostitute, and down to earth good person (quite the mix, no?) about the gospel of Jesus Christ. I don't know if that day had any impact on others, but it helped shape my character that would allow me to spend 2 years serving the people of Las Vegas. I've come to love them, despite the wayward ways of many of them.
5. By now you're probably not reading anymore. If you are, time for a nice juicy memory :P. The love of my life, Marina, and I were sealed for time and eternity in the Mesa Arizona Temple. An unusually hot day in March, we were surrounded by our family to celebrate the best decision I will ever make in my life. That was nearly 2 years ago, and I wouldn't have done it any differently. I love you, Marina.
Ok, ok, I suppose after writing all that a couple of things come to mind. One, why on earth does it take so long to update an Oracle database??? And two, maybe this is more appropriate for a journal; BUT, my hope is that those few that read this will delve back into their past and relish the memories of both the happy and sad times. You'll be pleasantly surpised at what you can learn, feel, remember and enjoy.
Good night all!
Friday, February 27, 2009
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2 comments:
Steve, I thoroughly enjoyed it and can agree with you 100%. Every experience helps shape us--good or bad and even seemly small things (like your memory #1) have some kind of affect on our outlook. Kudos to you!
That was really sweet. And not knowing Oracle, but being present at the Fairfax, VA updating I believe this one sounds relatively short?
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