Last night I could not sleep. I was tossing and turning in bed and trying to think of something that would make me feel cozy. Out of nowhere, the thought that came up was a memory from my childhood.
Winter night, December I think, and my house is full of sleeping relatives. I was about five years old.
As all the good hosts, mom and dad, give their bed away ... So here we are, on the floor, covered with a thin sheet, and I, squished between two of them.And, that is all I needed... The day that preceded this moment ( my uncles wedding)was full of singing, dancing and great food. My family, aunts, uncles, cousins and countless distant relatives, actually liked each other, enjoyed spending time together and cherished each chance they get to be together. At least, that is what I remember. There was nothing better that sitting in their presence and absorbing the Love, the Joy, and wonderful sounds of accordion...
Now, this thought, this memory, the feeling remembered, did not help me sleep... It made me feel sad that those moments are gone.
Was it the different times, when people had more appreciation for deeper bonds, or was it amount of alcohol consumed and wonderful songs that they loved to sing? Was it that they had less money and less needless stuff, but more soul?
Was it the chemistry?
I don't know, but what I do know is that they left deep impression on me and what I consider important values.
I believe that these memories might be one of the reasons why you can hear my little family sing any chance we get and shake our bums listening to "Sweet Caroline", and why Karmen prefers to wake up by Peter Graso's songs ...
Wind was blowing against our windows and the rain was slowly bringing me back to present time. Karmen's and Odin's relaxed breathing was pulling me back to sleep and I was trying to remind myself to jot this down today... for my own sake, of course ...
