Strolling Down Memory Lane

Thinking back on my teenage years, it was all about hanging out with my friends and having as much fun as I could until it was time to go home. Aging and death, of course, was the furthest things from my mind. Now, that has obviously changed.

I listen to Sirius Radio on Dish Network. My favorite channels are Sirius Soul Town-Classic Soul, Ch. 6053 and Sirius Heart & Soul-R&B Hits,
Ch. 6051. These two stations play music as far back as the 1950s. I prefer the Classic Soul a little more than the R&B Hits, as it plays more of the music I used to listen and dance to as a teenager. I love music, I listen to it from the time I open my eyes until I close them again at night. I'm listening to Classic Soul as I write this article. "I Hear a Symphony" by The Supremes is playing now, remember that one?

I prefer slow, love music. I'm a romantic at heart, why, I don't know. It's not like I grew up in a home raised by two parents who were crazy in love. I enjoy listening to these two stations because they take me back to a place in my life when I had the greatest times, like most of you I'm sure who are about 50, give or take a few years. Do you remember "The Tears of a Clown" by Smokey Robinson?

Although, I enjoy listening to this type of music, at the same time, it touches my soul and brings tears to my eyes often. Hey Love is one of those songs that do exactly that every time I hear it. "Hey Love" by the Delphonics is playing now. It reminds me of that special guy I had a serious crush on when I was a teenager. We danced to that song once and I've held onto that memory up until this day. I'm sure it was just another slow dance with one of his friend girls to him. To me it meant much more, as he held me tight while we slow danced and I wished the record would never end. I can remember it so clearly. Those were the good old days. I miss them so much. I miss hanging with my friends, the fun we used to have, as well as the relatives and loved ones who were alive during that time.

Life slips by so quickly, as I am a Grandmother now. We need to enjoy every moment of it; they become the memories which are all we have later in life. I listen to this music when I want to hear some good old soul music attached to those good old teenage memories. Then there are times when I have to change the station, because I will just sit there listening to the music, staring at the television as if I'm watching a program. When I start reminiscing too hard, I have to change the station or start doing something else, as I am a very sentimental person whose heart aches for those times again. That reminds me of the song "It Was Just My Imagination" by the Temptations.

Living in Florida, about 1200 miles away from my home doesn't ease the pain at all. Maybe, if I was still living in NY, it wouldn't be so hard, I know it wouldn't. I could see my friends now and then and reminisce about our teenage years together. Now, I only see them when I go home to visit. I think of all the good times we used to have compared to the good times I'm lacking now. Do you remember "Love Train" by The O 'Jays?

I recently reconnected with one of the guys that I hung out with when I was a teenager. This isn't the same one I mentioned earlier, although I do see him every time I go home. This other guy, I talked to on the phone often for a few months, trying to develop a long distance relationship, which never happened. During that time, we talked about anything and everything. We talked a lot about those teenage years, which were also a very special time to him. He brought back a lot of memories and even reminded me of some I totally forgot, but was glad to remember again. Talking about those times, in addition to listening to that good old soul music, would leave me longing for those days. Now that those days are gone, I keep the memories of all the good times we enjoyed close to my heart. "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green is playing now, I know you remember that one.

Well, thanks for joining me on my stroll down memory lane. Do you miss those teenage years and that good old music like I do?