Memories

Today I talked with my mom of things in her childhood. She had to reach far back into the recesses of her mind to remember some. Others came to her like lightning in an instant out of nowhere. And with her memories I began to know her better. Who she is today is greatly influenced by the happenings of her early life. And so I wonder if my kids will pick my mind, trying to decipher who I am and why I am the way I am. Some memories stay buried deep and so the ability to know someone based on their memories is only partial. Oh to know those things that are not shared. I learned about her mom, my grandmother, too. I learned that my grandmother at a very young age found she could ride the train for free because her dad worked for the railroad. Every weekend from junior high on she would hop on board and go to the next town over to get away from the small town life she despised. She just wanted out of there. I don't think kids are much different today than years gone by.