The disappearing pieces of my childhood

Recently, I saw a brief story on CNN about the ten brands that will disappear in 2012. The list included: Sears, Sony Pictures, American Apparel, Nokia, Saab, A&W All-American Foods Restaurants, Soap Opera Digest, Sony Ericsson, MySpace, and Kellogg’s Corn Pops.

As a child, I think my parents took my brother and me to Sears for something or another every weekend. And if we needed an electronic appliance for anything, it was definitely purchased from Sears. They had the best guarantees and warranties around.

Do you remember when everyone had to have a Nokia phone?

Corn Pops. Wow, my brother and I would eat one box in a couple of days because we loved them so much. It was delicious and sweet. And our parents would let us eat it! We didn't have to beg for it.

MySpace. How did they lose so much ground so quickly to their competition? But, I have to admit, I don't even use my MySpace page any longer.

What does all of this mean?

When I have children, will anything from my childhood exist? Will I need to take my children to a museum to show them the things I grew up with?

Will they look at me in total amazement, and say "Huh. You actually had to hold your phone it, wasn't combined with your televisions?"

What do the holidays really mean?

Yesterday was Fathers' Day. What did it mean to you? For that matter, what do Mothers' Day, Valentine's Day, or any other holiday mean?

Every holiday, I find myself running around like crazy trying to figure out what to do? What to buy?

I saw a fabulous repeat of Frasier the other day. It was all about their father's birthday, and how the two of them try to "out do" each other year after year. To the point of driving themselves absolutely crazy.

Because I was recently laid off, my parents support and love has been so invaluable that the holidays don't seem to be big enough for me. There is no way I can repay them for all they've done for me over the past year.

Dinner at a five star restaurant or the neighborhood dinner seem comparable. A movie and a play are not exciting enough. Nothing is good enough.

Then, with the sweetest sincerity, my father doesn't seem to care. But, instead, is perfectly content with being surrounded by family: wife, children, and grandchildren. And neckbones. Do you know what neckbones are? Something I haven't eaten in nearly fifteen years or better.

Wow. Is life really that simple? Family. Good friends. Southern food.

Maybe that's why I love to write Romance. To indulge in the simplicity of life.

Tell me about your holiday.