The Smell Of Nostalgia

As I embrace the brief time spent with family so many childhood memories come to the surface.  I grew up so very blessed.  I may not have had designer clothes, shoes or the white picket fence, but I did have family that loved me and I them. 

A lot of us have moved away from where we grew up, but the memories whether good or bad do not move away.

Eureka Park was my back yard. The cut through to get to the homes of a few friends as well as going to the homes of my Aunt's, Uncle's and Grandparent's.  Eureka Park the place where summer camp took on new shapes.  The Rec Center where I first busted my butt trying to roller skate. Chain link swing sets and hard core merry go rounds.  Tennis courts and those weekends when you heard church revival.

Climbing the Cherry Tree at my Grandparents house, hanging out in their basement.  As a child the basement presented so many adventures as my grandparents kept so many things for me to get into. Sliding down the steps, the railing didn't work in my favor. My Grandma's Rice Pudding...umph..the best! And the Pantry you could hide in if you tried.

Hot Summer Days at Washington Park Pool cutting through the path off of 10th street behind Addison.....All I can hear..."Cutie Pie,You're The Reason Why.  I love you so.....".  Matter of fact so many songs of summer...."Party People, Party People......Socialize, Get Down, Let Your Soul Lead The Way....", "Jamaica Funk is what it is....Let it get into you", "Thighs High, I Wanna Grip Your Hips and Move".  Racing friends and relatives up and down the street.  Truly don't get caught by the street light.

So many places and things evoke so many memories. Lakeside Amusement Park, Woolworths Downtown Roanoke, Pete's Deli, New Yorker Delicatessen(of course), Mill Mountain Zoo & Ruby, 8th Street Grill( got to have a hot smoke), Chuck's Seafood, Highs Ice Cream, the dances at Booker T.  Sweetheart Ball's at Ruffner,  Talent Shows as Fleming, Fairystone, Claytor's Lake, Carvin's Cove....oooohhh M.D.20/20, Thunderbird(thank you Franwill Crew, you know who you are) and Mr. Perry's Store just to name a few. Keeping it really simple, waking up on the weekends knowing there were some things that didn't and wouldn't change.  Errands with Mom, Saturday Mornings and Church All Day Sunday!

Many may not be familiar with the scent of where I'm steppin' others of course know the fragrance well. 

The Smell Of Nostalgia keeps the memories so vivid.  Peace.

~~Skin I'm In~~

Control

When you are in a relationship or what is deemed to be a relatioship it should not be treated as a dictatorship by either party.  There are qualities in each that should compliment the other.  Unfortunately sometimes we are unable to find that grassy median. 

Something to ask yourself about your partner.  Do they help you to live a better and healthier life?  Be clear on your thoughts before you answer.  What you may think, are the intentions that have love screaming from all angles, could very well be an unintentional deceptive schemer. 

 

 

Two Types of Relationship Controllers

 

The violent and physically abusive and the caring, sensitive one whom controls you emotionally.  The latter is not always the obvious one. They do not necessarily dominate you, but will still find a way to cut your legs out from under you.  Don't be mistaken or caught off guard.  Both types can be rolled up into one person.  Scary I know. 

 

You may never know you are with an emotionally controlling person until it's too late.  You can be easily deceived as they are not bad people.  They have insecurities and are generally possessive, forgetting where to draw the line or creating their own for you.  

 

A Few Signs To Watch Out For

 

They need to be informed of all you do.  They may become agitated if you don't check in to their specifications.  They will blow that cell phone up if you don't respond quick enough.  Back in the day it would have been a 911 page.

 

They don't like it when you have fun without them.  You may want to discuss your activities and how wonderful they were and you will be addressed with perhaps a grunt or "That's Nice"

 

They are manipulative. Constantly trying to make decisions for you.  Choosing what they want you to eat while out at dinner.  "He/She will have the Escargot drizzled with a White Wine Sauce,  Asparagus Spears and Wild Rice".  You cringe because you know at this very moment you would much rather be at Five Guys getting that juicy hamburger drenched in green peppers, onions, mushrooms, cheese and a hint of grease.  

 

They create their own rules while imposing completely different rules upon you.  We all know a household that plays Spades has their own House Rules.

 

They disapprove when you spend time with friends.  Your friends are a bad influence on you and they want to choose your friends for you or even be your one and only friend.  "If you play with Suzy I'm not playing with you anymore.  Suzy has the cooties".

 

Your life now revolves around them or so you think.  Their happiness becomes yours, their wants become yours.  Your identity has become non-existent.

 

I may have made light of these signs; however these signs are reality.  And the reality is..Relationships shouldn't change who you are as a person.  Only you should be able to change you.  The relationship should provide you with an added path that leads you to additional growth.





~~~Skin I'm In~~~