Karen Carpenter, Donny And Marie, Bell Bottoms, Bad Hair, And Me = 1970-Somethin’!!

I am a sentimental person, so looking at old photos brings a flood of memories back to me. I wish I could remember so many more things than just bits and pieces of my childhood. I would love to go back to my very first home on 806 Laurel Street in Fairfield, Illinois because I only lived there until I was 4, and I can’t recall too many things. The house is still there, but unfortunately, it has not been kept up very good through the years, but nonetheless, I would still love to go back in there and see where I had many firsts in my life. First steps, first birthday, first babysitters, first tooth, first Christmas…the list goes on. The above picture was taken in that house, and it was where I grew to LOVE God and music. Karen Carpenter was ALWAYS my favorite. To this day I remember having mom put the 33 1/3 record on for me, as I would rock the day away on my rocking horse listening to The Carpenters. I'll never forget watching Donny and Marie and Captain and Tenille on an old TV that didn't have a remote control...and yes, even Lawrence Welk was on in the Tracy Household. And I'll never forget "surfing" to the theme song on Hawaii 5-0. I still do that today with the new Hawaii 5-0!! haha! Thankfully, I'm too little to remember too many of the hideous styles. haha! But what I would give to go back to those times some days and see people I miss. Old pictures and old home movies make me smile. I’ll never forget my dad having this movie camera back in the day with a BLINDING “head light” on the top. Goodness! My brother, cousins, and I all hated that thing. Every holiday or birthday…here comes the camera. You can see people “squint” and mouth things (yes, mouth things since this was before sound came on home movie cameras) when the big, bright light hits them. haha! As much as that big ole camera drove us crazy, I wouldn’t trade anything for those home movies now. Thanks to a good friend of mine, she put them on a DVD for me, and they’re one of my dearest treasures. Many family members who have gone on to be with Jesus are on those home movies, and they always bring a smile to my face when I see them on there. Looking through those old photographs or watching those home movies always makes me realize just how fortunate I am. I can’t recall one moment in my life that was a bad memory. I had the best childhood ever!! I was so blessed to take many family vacations, and yeah, we might not have been the richest family in town or dress in the latest styles, but we were rich in love. And that’s more important than anything money can buy. I learned about God from my parents, and we had many discussions about Him when I was kid. They were always singing or talking about Him. And we always went to church, always. They are the main reason my love is so strong for God today. They taught me what is really important in life, and it’s Him, not things. I often wonder why I was chosen to be in the family I have. I look around and see so many kids who are not so fortunate or have the love from their parents that I have. They’ve never once heard about God only when His name is taken in vain. I often ask God, why? Why did you choose me to be so blessed?? Why am I not one of those kids who has parents who don’t care or throws me against a wall because I won’t stop crying? It just doesn’t seem fair when so many others are suffering, but I am SO thankful He put me where He did. So yeah, I was born in 1970-somethin’, and we may not have had iPods, iPads, and Facebook back then, but we had love, and we knew how to use our imagination to have fun as kids! We rode bikes without helmets and knee pads, and we lived to tell about it. :-) I wouldn’t ask to have been born at another time because I loved being right where I was 30 years ago, and I love being right where I am today! Right here, right now, with God! I’m so thankful God blesses us with memories, they may not always be good memories, but He gives us the choice to focus on the ones we want. So for me?? I choose the good memories of when all of my family was still alive, those Friday nights staying at Grandma and Grandpa’s, waking up to the smell of Grandma’s pancakes and bacon, and to my Grandpa making me laugh with his funny and crazy sense of humor. My Grandpa left us 7 years ago in January, and it just doesn’t seem possible. Grandma will be gone 7 years on May 9th. Although I miss them so much, I know they are just saving a place for me up there…and knowing my Grandma, she’s already cookin’ the pancakes and bacon! :-) Thanks for strolling down memory lane with me!! It’s been a fun journey so far, and I’m looking forward to seeing where the journey continues to lead me. And in the end, it will lead me HOME to where I belong! Have a blessed day!!