memories of POS...#2
I have spoken to several random people willing to share their favorite memory and this second in a series of blogs called, memories of POS is the result of part of those conversations.
Some of the men and women were reluctant to impart what some would consider the most personal of thoughts. That's understandable, but, for those willing to tell a story, it was fun to eavesdrop.
Of the all the memories revealed, all but one fit into one of four categories: childhood, career, love, family.
HUH? What's up with that?
The ages of those I have spoken with range from 34 to 85. The people over 60, (POS) had the most difficulty citing just one favorite memory and tended to recount several events as their most visited. However, when asked to choose a numero uno, each one narrowed their many thoughts to a single memory.
Beverly Hicks, 73, taught middle school for 27 years.
I was supposed to teach high school, but, my district opened a new middle school the year I started my career, she said.
So, you went to middle school and stayed for the duration.
I did, she affirmed. I taught math in the same school my whole career. I was given a chance to move to a high school, but, I found I liked those 14 year old kids, so I stayed.
How long have you been retired?
I stepped down 25 years ago, Beverly replied. My parents died young. My dad was 47 and mom was 60. I wanted to have a long retirement, so, I quit working when I was 46. My goal was to be retired for as long or longer than I worked and I'm two years away from that now.
What keeps you busy? How have you spent your spare time?
I'm the treasurer of my church, so that keeps my math brain going, she smiled. Four other teachers retired when I did and we all joined Milestone Fitness Center and we still belong to it. I also travel a lot.
Do you have a Bucket List?
I do, she said. One of my favorite places I've been is Malta and I want to go back. I'd say that's a priority on my list of things to do yet.
If you had to pull out of your memory bank a very favorite memory, what would it be?
Oh, gee, she studied. There are so many over the years. All of my travels, my students. I have a lot of memories and all of them good.
Pick one you visit often.
My students, she responded. The funny things they did. The stories they told me. The day to day contact with youth. All of it. That's what I fondly recall.
Do you ever see any of your former students?
Oh, my, yes, she laughed. All the time. Of course, the last time I saw them was when they were 14, but, they recognize me right away.
Miss Hicks, I hope you make that trip to Malta. Thanks for talking to me.
Thank you. I will go back, she confirmed.
Deborah Rucker just finished her first Encore Performance.
My dad just passed away and we've been taking care of him, she stated. There are four of us and we each had our responsibilities. He is why I retired because I couldn't work full time and do my share with dad.
That is commendable. Is your mom living?
Yes, she said. Mom is 91. My parents were married 73 years. Dad was a career Air Force man.
What about you? What did you do for a living and then leave behind to care for your dad?
I worked in ophthalmology, she answered. I worked for retinal specialists, glaucoma specialists, and pediatric eye doctors. I did that for 40 years.
Have you thought about going back to work?
I have, she mused, just because I know so much about it and I don't know if I'm ready to really quit. But, you know, everything changes, so, I'm not sure.
What about a bucket list? What is at the top of your things to do?
The beach, she laughed. I want to spend a lot of time surrounded by sand in front of water. I've never been to Washington, D.C. and I'd like to see all of the history. I really want to go to Sebastian, Florida where all the gold was found, so I've got several things I want to accomplish.
(According to the Florida-Times Union... hundreds of gold coins valued at $200,000 were found by salvage company divers off the Treasure Coast in 2015. An estimated $500,000,000 remains on a sunken Spanish ship, which is owned by the salvage company. The vessel has been under water 208 years.)
What about a favorite memory. Do you have one?
Yes, she smiled. My long lost love. I met him when I was 58 and I'm 66 now.
And he is gone?
Well, no, she replied. He just won't commit. We still talk. But, we've been talking eight years.
I hope the two of you can find a future together. Thanks, Deborah.
Thanks
Coming up: more memories; another oddities, observations, & ?'s, and; more job$ somebody's gotta do.
And, finally. There is only one Frisch's Big Boy left in Louisville after the third one in the past three years closed a few months ago.
My dad, an uncle, and a cousin brought the iconic brand to Indianapolis in the mid 1950s.
It was in that building at Keystone and Fall Creek Parkway, I learned fundamental soda fountain techniques, ate my first double-decker hamburger, and, fell madly in love with a 19 year old carhop. It didn't matter to me that she called me, Stan, the few times we crossed paths.
I was 13 and all was well.
HUH? What's up with that?
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