Memory Lane…6 years ago…

Memory Lane…6 years ago…

Hi there.

Thanks for popping in. I’ve been busy this morning, mapping out our next Doodle Trip. I think you will enjoy this next week. I am so looking forward to sharing with you tomorrow, if you do fancy joining me on the Doodle-SHAC-Shack bus. It’s quite a challenge, but no pain, no gain and all that…

May has always been our time to travel, because it falls between shows and events. Yesterday, I went back a year, to NEW YORK and Gracie. This morning I want to take you back 6 years to 2014. It was our Mark’s graduation in California. Looking back, I have to say that it was probably the best day of my life – and that is saying something. Not only was I thrilled for Mark to have graduated; it was the whole experience. It was the whole day. And I remember it as if it were yesterday…

Grace had flown in to San Francisco from New York, and Dave, she and I were staying at the Ritz Carlton – very posh. Wenn schon, denn schon, as the Germans say, which loosely translated means “if you’re going to do it, do it properly, do it in style!”

We were supposed to be at St Mary’s University in Moraga for 10 am. So we got up at stupid o’clock, got all duded up, and took the BART to the outskirts, where we hailed a taxi to take us out of the city. It was all going so well – until the taxi broke down. Mild panic ensued. You understand. We had come all the way from, not San Fran, but Crowborough for this little gig! Another Taxi eventually showed up and we trundled on. Then we saw the lines of cars waiting to park up. Heart sank. Smiles all round when we realised that cabs could drive right up to the entrance. Woohoo! We went from being last to being first!

The graduation was in the open air on the sports fields. All the seats already had reserved stickers on them (no room at the inn…). Heart sank. Smiles all round when Grace spotted a friend in the bleachers – which were the best seats in the house for the graduation! Their family invited us to sit with them. Amazing people. Such great company!

Once we had seat, we went to find Mark, who was coralled with all the grauduates before the procession and the ceremony.

It was a super proud moment, not least because St Mary’s Rugby Team had also won the USA tournament that year for the first time, and Mark was graduating as a college champion. Big Cheese over there!

So after much hugging and kissing, we went back to our seats, to wait for the processsion. My God! The Americans certainly know how to celebrate a Graduation! I have been to a few over the years, not least my own, which was B O R I N G and B O N E D R Y. But I have to tell you, when the music started and the students started to walk through to their designated seats, it was truly the most exciting, exhilerating moment of my life. EVER. I done lots in my lifetime, but I have never felt such sheer exultation. Six years on, and I still get goosebumps thinking about it. It was the atmosphere, the crowds, the beautiful blue skies, the happy people, Dave, Grace. It was just magical.

SPOT MARK!

And then the after party on the lawn. Blimming spectacular. It was so good to see my ex-mum in law, we always got on so well! And all the Bowers family! It was as though we had never been apart. Lots of catching up to do, after about 20 years, you can imagine! Yes. It was good to catch up with old family. When a divorce happens, you often lose good friends in the crossfire, especially when there are thousands of miles in between.

So many people came to shake my hand, to tell me was a smashing young man Mark is. I hadn’t realised how popular he was at college. And what a college! Fantastic place!

So there we are. Six years ago today, that’s where we were. And even if we can’t travel just now, sharing my memory with you has taken me right back there. It’s like I went there in my head and relived all the emotion and joy again.

And that’s not a bad thing !! Safer, cheaper and guaranteed !!

This blog is such a tonic, you know. To be able to relive good things, great moments with friends. We could almost be sitting having a cuppa, sharing a photo album and a little banter together.

Mmm. Happy Sunday. See you tomorrow at 10. Remember to pack some sun screen!!!

Love and light.

Barb xxx

35 thoughts on “Memory Lane…6 years ago…

  1. I can assure you that American graduations can be just as tedious as any. Most are too long, with too many speakers who think that they are far more interesting than they really are.
    Your Mark’s day looked perfect (with the exception of the taxi issue even though it adds to a great story).

    Thanks for sharing memories of the good times.

  2. They certainly do know how to do graduations in the USA. My brother graduated from UC Boulder (CO) in the stadium seen in the opening credits of Mork and Mindy (he studied for his Masters in Oboe Performance). I wasn’t able to attend but my parents did and I have seen the photos. Very cool and a fabulous memory. You must be very proud of Mark and Grace. Stay safe.

  3. Such happy memories for you all. Thank you for sharing it with us.
    Been doodling this morning (after shopping) and now feel very relaxed.
    Overcast and cooler this morning but sunny and breezy this afternoon. Looks like we are in for some more warmth during the week although the plants could do with a soaking.
    Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend and keeping safe.
    🍒🍒🍒

  4. How lovely of you to share such happy memories with us. I can’t wait for tomorrow to see where we are going. My suitcase is packed and ready!! X

  5. Looked like an amazing day, wonderful memories for you. How lovely to be able to plan it outdoors and know the weather will be fine. I have watched three of my children graduate and I remember the feeling of pride in their achievement. Must add though that the one who did not go to uni has achieved just as much overcoming dyslexia. Very proud of them all. xx

  6. Happy days and fantastic memories. Important to hold on to them just now to help see us through!
    I can’t believe it’s 6 years since Mark’s graduation!
    I’m sure that soon you’ll be back to making happy memories with Grace and Mark.
    See you in the morning! X
    Love and hugs Xxxx

  7. Good memories are definitely something to treasure and when you can share them with others, all the better. The sun has come out here now and it is just lovely after a rather damp few days. However, the gardens are well watered! I’m got my insect repellent trousers packed and Deet, just in case! Looking forward to our trip. See you tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of Sunday. Hxx

  8. Hi Barbara
    You are such a good story teller.
    Sitting here reading your blog I could have been there sitting with everyone taking in the special time you recounted. Thank you so much for sharing your memories with us all
    Hugs 🤗

  9. Hi Barbara,
    What a memorable time that was was for you all, your boy did good. It takes anybody to get a degree a lot of time and patience to get where they want to go and i command anybody who does this.
    At least you can look back on these times with pride .

    I have been looking at some of the doodles from the weeks ,and what some of you have produced have been outstanding, what a wonderful colouring book they would all make, i for one would buy one as it just shows what you can do with a pencil and colouring pencils and of course a brilliant teacher to help you along the way.

    You have been an inspiration to us all , thank you for all the time you have taken to show us what you can do if you put your mind to things.
    Have a good week to everybody .
    Lynn xxx

  10. Must be a memory lane type day! I just had a zoom meeting with some old NHS colleagues and it was great to catch up but I’m so happy to have left that world behind. Really enjoyed sharing your memories of Mark’s special day. Thank you x

    1. Hi Barbara,
      Thank you so much for giving your time to us, teaching us crafters new tricks, and sharing your memories and giving us memories. What a lovely memory you have with your children in the USA.
      Time goes so quickly. My best memory is when I was in the T.A and we done out training in Crowbough a place you know.lol. take care stay safe and again Thank you. hugs to all xxx

  11. What you said about losing friends when a divorce happens – that is so true; in my case I caught up with many of them at the funeral of my ex-husband, which he had asked me to attend. Of course, we all move on, but it was so comforting to catch up with people who had been close in the past and remember (some) happy times! Memories are so important – sometimes difficult at the moment to make fresh ones, but we must all hope that this will soon improve……..

  12. Thank you for sharing your memories. I have just smiled and smiled. The joy was so apparent! See you tomorrow. Can’t wait to see where we’re going. As it’s half term my daughter will be joining us. She’s missed doodling with you the last few weeks. Xx

  13. Nothing can take your memories away. How lucky we are to have them. Think we are off to Australia tomorrow, my memories are of seeing my daughter and grandchildren there two long years ago.

  14. It is lovely to relive these events and photos are great to look back on. You all looked so happy and can see what a proud Mum you are. We have been going through old photos today, sorting them out, and it brings those memories flooding back. x

  15. How we need our memories at this tricky time.
    Lovely to read yours and you all look so happy.
    Hugs Nadia x

  16. That was a very happy walk down memory lane!
    Lovely to see you so happy with them on that day.
    See you tomorrow-cann’t wait !!!.
    Greetings, Trijntje Huppel

  17. Hi Barb, glad you were able to reminisce and relive a special happy memory today. I bet it helped to take you totally away to a happy place for a bit. Maybe you should set yourself a specific time each day just to delve into your memory bank for a happy memory and relive one each day? Might help get you through this mess.
    I hope you have a good week this week. Love you xxx
    P.s. what does “Dame Ednas” mean? Your Clarity email asks if I’ve got it at the ready? Makes no sense to me, Dame Edna was/is an Australian drag queen wasn’t/isn’t he? That’s one way to confuse me even more 😉

    1. Thanks for sharing your happy memories. So much I can identify with. My second husband and I celebrated our silver wedding anniversary yesterday and it’s 35 years since my first husband and I split up but I’m still included in my ex brothers in laws family celebrations. Ex-husband and I are still friendly, his kids call me Aunty Jen! Life’s too short, isn’t it? Btw, you make very good looking kids!!! Xxx

      1. Thanks Pam, that clears that up xx
        But I don’t have glasses! Och, I guess I’m missing something, whatever is meant clearly is on a level not conducive to my autistic brain!!! Never mind, that’s a common occurence!!!

  18. What a lovely and important memory for you all. It looks like it really was a very special day for a special family and worth reliving at this time of missing your loved ones. I could feel the joy reading your story!
    After 30+ years of speech days for my 4 children, yesterday we had the very last one of them all. Virtually! I would never have imagined that the last one ever would be like that. I would have turned it into such a special day to celebrate. It was the end of a chapter in my life and yet it was like any other day! My Daughter wont be going back to school or having a leavers ball or seeing her friends that she has spent years with and until this all passes we can only make sketchy plans of hope for how we can make it feel right for her! X

  19. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful day with us, Barb. It’s a shame that the class of 2020 aren’t able to celebrate this way. But that said, their graduation is, hopefully, unique with mostly virtual commencement, and therefore special in its own right.

    Hugs xoxo

  20. Thanks for sharing your happy memories. So much I can identify with. My second husband and I celebrated our silver wedding anniversary yesterday and it’s 35 years since my first husband and I split up but I’m still included in my ex brothers in laws family celebrations. Ex-husband and I are still friendly, his kids call me Aunty Jen! Life’s too short, isn’t it? Btw, you make very good looking kids!!! Xxx

  21. That’s such lovely memories Barbara, thank you for sharing them with us. I just love looking at our photograph albums, brings all your memories back and makes you feel good. See you in the Shac Shack in the morning.

  22. Lovely memories, thank you for sharing them with us. I love looking back at our photos recalling the memories, makes you feel good. See you in the morning in the Shac Shack.xx

  23. So lovely to share your memories of Mark’s graduation which takes me back to my two girls’ graduations a few years ago at SOAS in London and a couple
    of years later, Keele in Staffordshire. Very happy days and lovely to feel such a proud mum!
    Thanks for rekindling my own memories.
    See you tomorrow with sun cream
    on my face – well we’ve been told to wear face masks! X 😎

  24. Wow thanks Barbara for sharing such a personal event in your life. Yes it was just like sitting having a cuppa looking through your album. I lost so many friends after my divorce but looking back I think they were more hangers on as I could offer a swimming pool and barbecues in the Summer lots of parties throughout the year and when all that ended and I left to a much smaller property I didn’t fit in anymore. Hard to accept but there it is and my husband for the last 28 years is my best friend, all rolled into one and we do everything together. Life eh? Mark and Grace are lovely adults and you have every right to be so proud of them. Xx

  25. Hello Barb, our lifetimes are filled with memories, some tinged with sadness, some full of exuberance and we need them all for the balance. Thanks for sharing this happy occasion with us. Take care and stay safe everyone. Bx

  26. Hi Barb,
    I can’t believe that Mark’s graduation was 6 years ago – how time flies! What a fabulous day you all had and such wonderful memories to look back on especially in such strange times as these. The graduation was certainly much better than my two which were very boring , except that I got to see my fellow students again! Love and hugs,Alison xx

  27. Lovely memories & great photos – it is times like this when we can sit back & think about the good times we have had in the past – hoping that soon we will be able to get together & have the celebrations again.
    Thanks for sharing them with us – it was if we were there sat amongst the crowds with you.

  28. Thanks for sharing the happy thing with us,dear Barb,How time flies .this is a great memory and beautiful life,a happy and wonderful moment,looking back,i have been reading you for over six years,to be honestly,i was drawn to that picture of you and Dave first time,then pictures full of love,full of warm feelings,and it like the spring of this world.

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