"Some of us sing to ourselves or even just whistle when we think no one is listening, and often there is music 'playing' in our heads. A region of the brain seems to be devoted primarily to sonic memory, and that includes not just ringtones, dog growls, and ambulance sirens, but also snippits of songs, mainly recordings, that we've heard as well...Everyone has had a song 'transport' them to a vivid memory of an early romance or some other formative experience. Songs are like smells that way; they can dredge up worlds, very specific places and moments."
-- How Music Works, David Byrne
David Byrne is so right! Every time I hear the Beatles Get Back I am laser beamed into my teenage years at Lake Tejas in Colmesneil, Texas. the lake was a summer haunt for all of us teenagers growing up in that part of East Texas. That's me on the slide aged 5 and later in school...ce
(C) Copyright 2016 Carolyn Elmore
You may already know, but the Class of 1944 (your mother's class) Senior Trip was to Lake Tejas! Veda has pictures. I saw them in an album as a teenager and immediately thought how familiar the view seemed. I asked if it was Lake Tejas. She confirmed it was and told of the occasion.
ReplyDeleteI don't recall there being photos that clearly included identifiable people. However, at the time I may have been more focused on the scenery. This would have been 30 plus years ago, my "eye" has fine-tuned itself over the years.
I will attempt to take another gander at them the next time I am there. Obviously, I will share any photo I may find that includes your mom!
My trips to Lake Tejas as a teen seemed to be all about our generation. (Much like your reference "as I remember it".)
Upon hearing her story I recall thinking about her (and her friends who I thought of as being somewhat "old") being my age and enjoying the same "feeling". It was a foreign concept to me.
Of course, now it is all so clearly real it is almost unrealistic!
I think each generation has those same "my own place in time" moments only to later learn we are merely situated amidst the ever flowing grains of sands in an hour glass.
I could write a whole chapter on Lake Tejas, and I may do it eventually. You may recall my reference to it in the Party Book at my 60th birthday party. I am actually thinking about a 65th party...though party-goers may have to buy their own food and drinks!
ReplyDelete