Gone but not forgotten

I miss the sound of a percolator
and watching the black liquid jump into the crystal top.
Most of all, I miss dunking plain cake donuts into that cooled down coffee with my grandma.

I miss the smell of baking bread in the house
and time moving so slow, bitterly slow, waiting for it to set and cool.
So rewarded while watching the butter melt over the top before savoring the taste.

And the sound of a rotary phone blaring throughout the house
running to answer because there's no voicemail
but when you press the receiver to you ear in excitement...disappointment.
Mom, it's for you!

I miss feeling the static emitting from an old television console then touching your nose. Zap!
The sound of click click click, turning the TV dial from number to number. 2...4...7...9..
ugh! every channel is the President talking about boring stuff.
I guess I'll read a book or listen to a record.

I miss those summer mornings running, full speed, from the kitchen table to the bicycle.
I'll be home later mom. And you did come back in time for your next meal.
And the kids would all gather at a favorite park or friend's house.
Eating 5 cent candies from the drug store
and enjoying the refreshing taste of very cold hose water.

Going to the drive-in and sitting in the middle of the front bench seat.
Right between mom and dad. Getting up for the umpteenth time
to use the bathroom. An excuse to mill around the cars or
hang by the concession stand drooling for some popcorn or Jordan Almonds.
Not needing the very poorly hidden subliminal messages during the movie break.

I miss number 2 pencils and standing in line at the pencil sharpener giggling.
And recess...flipping and twirling on the monkey bars or bashing the tether ball.
And when it would rain or snow, going into the gym and to find the parachute set up,
complete with spotlight creating shadows of goofy, spastic children as they danced behind it.
Or dancing the Virginia Reel fearful of which member of the opposite sex you would reel with.
I don't miss that past me who would toss school papers out along the sidewalks
while walking home on the last day of school.

Vinyl records you were so careful not to scratch.
Barbie dolls whose hair got cut and faces were marked by permanent pens.
And pennies that could buy you a piece of gum
and horse fields in city centers that eventually disappear in lieu of houses and progress.
Paper masks on Halloween with heavy winter coats covering the outfit that let everyone know exactly who you were suppose to be. And swimming in the creeks or tubing on semi-truck tubes.
I miss these all but am so blessed to have tasted those sweet days.

And every generation will have bittersweet memories that the eras will shape
but, regardless of decade and diversion, will have the same longing and love
for those special times that eventually become a soft nod and a wistful smile.