4 of 144

Write now Article Tools

NOT FORGOTTEN

No stories of my grandmother, especially with me as their author, would be complete without the infamous Tampa Airport Mishap of 1974. I will preface the story by recounting a conversation she and I had last night over dinner.

First she complimented me on how wonderfully balanced a meal I had whipped up for her in the time it took her to use the bathroom. She explained all the reasons why the food choices were a good mix of vitamins, and how wonderful it was I had skinned the chicken for her. The truth is the chicken was a rotisserie chicken already cooked I got at the grocery store. When I tore the legs off for her, the skin came off. Guess that worked out for me.

"Too much fat is not good for you," she said. "I don't like fat, but you should have some fat in your diet. Not fat fat, but...well, other kinds of fat. I use cod liver oil. Oh, I don't mean cod liver oil, I mean vegetable oil. I could never drink cod liver oil. Babies smelled like that."

We laughed.

After a few more bites of the fabulous meal I'd whipped up, she said, "I had a dream last night...I was driving my car. I remembered to pick up your mother, but I forgot to get You. I forgot to get you. Why would I forget to get you?"
"I don't know," I said........

CUT TO

June 1974. I was eleven years old, and ready to take my first airplane flight from Colorado Springs, Colorado to Tampa, Florida to spend two weeks with my grandparents. And I was flying alone. Now remember, this is 1974. This was when we knew nothing of kidnappers or the like, and could still run all over the neighborhood until dark. This was when my brother and I had a paper route that had us up at way before sunrise to deliver them, and the only thing we worried about was how tired we were or how cold it was.

So, I got on the plane without escort or special boarding. The only thing afforded me for security was my favorite pillow which I carried on with me. I don't really know if any special preferences were given to children traveling alone then, but I doubt anyone would have considered me a pre-teen by looks alone. At eleven, I stood as tall as I do now (perhaps taller if the de-evolution has begun), and weighed only 10 pounds less. At times it was a battle for Mom to get me the child rate at movies. So, I don't remember any questions or concerns from the airplane staff.

Several hours later, we landed at the Tampa Airport, and began de-boarding. I was probably one of the last to de-plane just because that's

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Reflections: Childhood memories?
We want to hear your view. Write now!