Memory Lane Friday - No Theme, 15 Jul 2011

Earlier this week, I was antsy about getting on the computer and writing this week's Memory Lane Friday post, but Andrew had a paper to write (it's due today), so I had to wait. I could've used my laptop, but I'd rather just use the desktop while at home, know what I mean? It's where my photos are saved, websites bookmarked . . .

Anyway, we have another "No Theme" Memory Lane Friday week, and I'd had a couple different things I wanted to write about. But a conversation I had with Livie the other night over dinner, as well as a great quote I recently came across made me change my mind.

On Wednesday, I just did not feel like preparing dinner, then deal with the after-dinner cleanup. Plus, I was really craving BBQ. And since Andrew would be working later than usual that day (and would pick something up to eat for himself on his way home), I asked Livie if she wanted to go to the local BBQ place.

"Yes, Mama!! Let's go get BBQ!"

So, off to the BBQ place we went!

She ended up getting the chicken strips, BBQ baked beans, a piece of corn bread, and a chocolate milk. I got the pulled pork (with sweet BBQ sauce), BBQ baked beans, a piece of corn bread, an amber bock beer, and an apple crisp to share with Liv.

At some point (and I don't remember what led up to this question), Liv asked me, "When Uncle Hector was still alive, would he like a restaurant like this?"

Momentarily surprised by the question, I explained, "Why, yes! Yes, he would. He would like the food, a beer, and the ambiance."

After explaining "ambiance" to Liv (you know, since that's not exactly a 5-year-old word), she then asked what I thought Hector would've ordered. I figured he'd probably order the ribs or maybe the pulled pork, the BBQ baked beans, and definitely a beer. There's just something about beer and BBQ, right? Besides, when beer was a beverage option, that's what he normally would've chosen.

We then continued eating in silence (deep in our own thoughts) for a few moments (or perhaps mostly just enjoying the food). It was at this point that I'd remembered a quote by an author whose work I'd been introduced to in my Native American Literature class. The author's name is Leslie Marmon Silko.

After the semester ended, I looked up her bibliography online to get some book ideas. It was during this internet search that I came across this quote attributed to her:

When someone dies, you don't get over it by forgetting; you get over it by remembering, and you are aware that no person is ever truly lost or gone once they have been in our life and loved us, as we have loved them.

Definitely a fitting quote based on the conversation - right?

A few moments later (maybe a minute or two at the most) she pulled me out of my thoughts by asking, "What did you say Uncle Hector used to call me?"

"Kitty Cat."

"Kitty Cat?!" (She had a sly grin on her face, now.)

"Yes, Kitty Cat. Do you remember that?"

"I think so. . . . Do you know what I would call him now, if he could be with us?"

"I have no idea. Tell me! I'm curious!"

"Rooster."

Hahaha! I don't know where that came from - I guess because he called her an animal nickname?

 Anyway, I've gotta add some photos of them, right? Well, here are a couple photos of the two of them over Thanksgiving 2008, when Liv was 2 years, 9 months old. We were at my parents' house for the holiday.

Uncle Hector and Liv pose for a photo in my parents' kitchen.

Liv's being silly for the camera as they pose for another photo.

Memory Lane Friday is hosted by Lisa @ Two Bears Farm. Please click on the button below to read her entry, as well as other participants' contributions: