The missed list
Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - CHALLENGES
[CHALLENGE: LIFE’S BIG LISTS]
"You ain't gonna miss your water until your well runs dry"--Bob Marley
I had just received a vintage Polaroid camera as a gift and hadn’t even had the chance to revel in its straight-out-of-the-'80s glory when I heard the sad news that Polaroid film was no longer being made. Supposedly, some European entrepreneurs are now trying to re-create the film. Go team, go.
It's sad how we realize just how fiercely we care about certain things, only once they're gone. My list grows each day and includes the somewhat trivial—like Seinfeld and receiving actual letters in the mail—to the feeling of excitement I used to have when I boarded a plane (now replaced with fear and anxiety).
What five things do you miss most now that they're gone?
my grandmother.
living by the beach.
not having allergies.
Morningstar Farms corn dogs.
being in school.
1. My pre-high school years--total do-over (I was picked on a lot)
2. My grandparents
3. My own car
4. My gymnastic class
5. My body from my 20's
Right now I am remembering one thing that I miss. It is silly, but real. Real silly.
When I was a kid I used to walk down to the center of town to Walgreens Drug store. It was the really big chain then. They had a soda fountain. I would climb up on one of the stools at the counter and order a Shak-A-Plenty. Although I was tempted by the other flavors, I could never resist ordering anything but chocolate. This was a rare treat and I KNEW the chocolate was GREAT! Why risk disappointment. After all, once your quarter is spent it is really gone.
Now for the important part. What was a Shak-A-Plenty like?
First, it was big. The heavily waxed paper cup was about four inches wide and five inches tall. You could carry it with you, but I always stayed in the store. It was air conditioned.
Next, it was cold, cold, COLD! This was a frozen shake. It was so thick you could hardly get it though the straw.
Then there was the flavor. It was not overly sweet as so may products are today. You could really taste the chocolate. It was very rich and concentrated. I was always astonished at just how chocolately it was. This is the kind of taste that memories are made of. It gave the kind of satisfaction that lasts until the next time. I secretly wondered if I really deserved such a wonderful treat. But regardless of doubts, I was having it anyway.
There is nothing like a chocolate Shak-A-Plenty these days. You have no idea.
1. My children living at home (they are adults now)
2. My sister who moved to another state
3. My health
4. My Mustang
5. My body from my 20,s
1) My Father
2) My Physical Youth (Mentally and Spiritually I am doing great!)
3) Innocence
4) Last 39 years
5) Having a Baby or Toddler around
My Missed List
1) lack of responsibilities
2) the days when summer felt loooong
3) mixtapes
4) staying up extra late with friends, just because
5) technotronic
My husband
Having a home instead of just living in someone else's house
Being truly excited about going to work
The sanctuary of a backyard space
And, of course, poloroid film (I've still got my camera)
- LIFE's BIG QUESTIONS
- ATTACK A CHALLENGE
Michael Jackson
Innocence
Inspiration
Clarity
Excitement over menial things
:)