Nostalgia

This idea started as a post on my Yahoo group.

It wasn't a deja vu moment, it was a serious wave of nostalgia. I was almost transported. Almost. I hear a song, smell something, see something, share a story with someone and suddenly it takes me back.

This time, it was me sitting at my kitchen table, doing business tax stuff (I detest tax season). The sliding glass door was opened and there was a slight breeze coming in. The day was warm, 65, but the house was hot, so it felt really good. I had Sirius streaming through my computer, tuned to the 80's channel. I glanced up at the dusk sky to see that midnight blue color with ribbons of orange clouds. Suddenly it felt like 20-something years ago. No specific moment, it could have been any day at sundown. I could have been working at the concession stands, freezing in the building and counting down for the last game. Or getting ready to head out to After the Gold Rush, the place to be in my "clubing" years -- no coat, because that would cover up my outfit. Tragic. To hide my pencil thin, mid-calf length, acid washed denim skirt, crisp white lamb-leg sleeved white shirt, silver chunky cuff bracelet, oversized matching earrings, white woven leather flats and super wide belt? Perish the thought. Freezing in the cold night air, with the wind blowing up the slit in the back of my skirt was much more cool -- just don't blow the carefully hair-sprayed (to withstand the smoke and humid club air) hair.

I have moments like these every now and then. The music is all it takes. A lot of 80's music. Who knows why they happen -- because I'm 40 (fine, over 40). Is it a mid-life thing? Is it because I have four kids now? I had these moments when I had three kids, so I doubt it. Is it because it was too much of a grow-up day? Maybe. It was just easier then. There was a lack of responsibility. I had no mortgage, no bills (outside of my tan '80 Chevy Cavalier - woo) and nobody but myself to worry about. It was certainly carefree, though I probably didn't recognize that at the time. Childhood had good times. Times I can reminisce about with my siblings and laugh hysterically over. High School, too, had its moments, not many, but enough. But it's the after High School times I'm transported to more often than not.

I wonder, as I get older and my kids get older, will I revisit these times? These times that sure seem to be hectic and full of chaos, but will seem simple in comparison to whatever moment I'm in then? Maybe. Then I'll just plug into some 80's music and take another trip back.