This morning I woke up in my parent’s home, alone, for the first time since my summer days in university. My eyes opened slowly and my gaze slowly cleared as I looked up at the ceiling. Focus came gradually as my mind soaked into déjà vu. Although the house was cold, I had this warm sensation about me recalling the early mornings I used to have working the summers during my university years. I recalled how the sun would stream in the front of the house- filling it with the season’s heat. How might you celebrate such a moment? I knew exactly how. Moments later, Creedence Clearwater Revival’s ‘Heard It Through The Grapevine’ was blaring through the house on my father’s record player- the needle bumping tirelessly over the vinyl. The puddle of déjà vu was now coming in waves as those recollections poured in. I might have cried- if I wasn’t so elated. Memories of days long since gone by.
Image courtesy Maritime Mountaineer
I suppose the writing of this could expose me to my parent’s whom I am certain were unaware of the goings on (doubtfully clearing my throat) – but this house was the scene of some very good times coming up through my teen years. My parents own a cottage only a few miles away, where they would spend their summers- leaving behind a big, empty house. A big, empty house I preferred to call ‘apartment building‘. The summer of my first year of university I spent in this house- working for a local Recreation Department and keeping my own hours, my own house and my own entertainment plaza. I don’t think a night went by that summer that there weren’t friends in that house- hanging out after a swim, watching movies, BBQing hotdogs and just enjoying solitude from anyone else who may not have had our blessing.
One particular memory is exceedingly potent. About ten of us had gone for a swim on a warm summer evening at a local waterfall and the weather had turned on us. A cool rain began to pour down. We all ran to the cars and headed back to the big empty house. By now, the rain was accompanied with thunder and lightning and the sky was being lit up all around us. I’m not sure who had the idea, but we didn’t go into the house. We walked around onto the lawn- rain intent on leaving nothing on us dry- and someone lay down on the lawn- looking up at what could only be described as nature’s fireworks. We all lay down in the wet grass, laughing and waiting for the next big bolt to scare us. How could any of us know that what we were being soaked with was a moment – a gift of a slice of time that could not be replaced- that was unique TO us and unique FOR us.
On those early summer mornings, as I got up to prepare to go to work at the Rec Department, I would start the day with CCR blaring over the stereo loud enough so my neighbors would know I was playing music. This morning… I bet I gave a couple of those neighbors a little déjà vu too.
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Tags: Appreciation, Experience, Friendship
I remember that night…it makes me feel nostalgic. Bob Segar’s – Against the Wind, always makes me think of summer nights at your parent’s place. Good times……..
Wow! What a memory!!! I share the recollection of the thunder storm in exactly the same way:) It was a great night…one I’ve thought of often. We talk about it every time there is a lightning storm and we make the kids come in the house! lol
Oh yes, the summers with great memories of no worries. I do have a picture from the late 80′s’s (??) of you jumping from that spot.