Countdown meme: Day 7

[dreamflower]

Day 1 - Ten random facts about yourself
Day 2 - Nine things you do everyday
Day 3 - Eight things that annoy you
Day 4 - Seven fears/phobias
Day 5 - Six songs that you’re addicted to
Day 6 - Five things you can’t live without
Day 7 - Four memories you won’t forget
Day 8 - Three words you can’t go a day without
Day 9 - Two things you wish you could do
Day 10 - One person you can trust

4 memories

These are the first things that popped into my head at the prompt.

1. Being in Hurricane Katrina.

2. My husband proposing to me as he was driving me home in the fog.

3. The first time I finished reading The Lord of the Rings. I cried. I had never cried at a book before. I was fifteen.

4. The assassination of President Kennedy.

Comments

[engarian.livejournal.com]

Being in Hurricane Katrina must have been frightening. You've alluded to it before, so I'm sure it was one of those watershed moments - BK and AK so to speak.

I agree with #3 and #4, and have no memory to reference for your #2 except that proposing in the fog sounds wonderfully romantic.

- Erulisse (one L)

[dreamflower]

Exactly. I kept a diary during and after the storm, which I posted here: http://dreamflower02.livejournal.com/77507.html
(Bit of context--Anna was the mother of my good online friend marigoldg. Marigold lived in England, but her mother lived near me. We brought her home to stay with us during the storm.)

#2: I'd only known my future husband a few months when he came to visit at my home during Christmas break. (We went to the same college my senior year.)He was my first real boyfriend. One afternoon we drove up about 40 miles to visit some of my cousins, and on the way home it grew extremely foggy. We were randomly talking about all sorts of things, when the proposal just popped out. He apologized immediately: "I'm sorry! It's too soon!" afraid he would scare me off. I asked him did he mean it, and when he said yes, so did I. Yes--it was very romantic!

[rhapsody11.livejournal.com]

Ohhh a few months? Try after three days ;)

[dreamflower]

We actually met to speak to each other near the end of September. We had a grand total of 3 dates before he realized he could not afford to stay at the school. (He had hoped to work, but could not get reciprocity for his nursing license in Florida.) So in November he went home to New Jersey, and started writing me letters and calling me on the phone nearly every day.

Just before Christmas break, he sent me his first gift: the hardback edition of The Hobbit. Then once I had returned to my home in North Florida (our college was in Miami) he flew down to spend the rest of the break with me.

[rhapsody11.livejournal.com]

*happy sigh* And still together!

[dreamflower]

Yep. I think a common taste in books is an excellent way to choose a spouse! ;^D

[engarian.livejournal.com]

That was a fascinating read. It was a horrific and terrifying time to live through and for those of us looking on from the distance, I don't think we comprehended how vast the area of destruction was and how difficult it was for people. Your husband and others who were caring for those ill or injured were true heroes.

Did your holly survive? I had a holly by our front door outside of the house we rented while we were graduate students and I loved that plant. They don't grow that way up here :-(

- Erulisse (one L)

[dreamflower]

The destruction was so huge--in Mississippi it covered six counties, with the worst being Hancock County (where my s-i-l lived) and pretty dreadful in Harrison County (where we lived). But the destruction went right on up the state, and at one point, I heard on the radio that for a while 80% of Mississippi was without power! Of course in the northern part of the state that only lasted a few hours, but on the coast it was weeks.

Sadly it did not. It was still living, though not thriving, when we moved away, and when we visited the area in 2008, it had died. *sigh* That was the first tree we had on our lot, planted not long after we moved there.

[shirebound]

Those were all quite life-changing events, weren't they?

[dreamflower]

Yes. Every single one of them.

Before #4, I can't really remember watching or paying attention to the news much before that (I was only 12)--but after that, I always did.

[baranduin.livejournal.com]

Watching President Kennedy's funeral was the first time I saw my father cry.

[dreamflower]

Everything was so solemn. I never realized how important the news was until that event.

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

That beautiful memory of you4 hubby proposing. *swoon*

[dreamflower]

*grin* It was very romantic! The fog made it seem like we were the only two people in the world.

[pearltook1]

All things worth remembering - especially the proposal. :-)

Ours was similar. We had just finished dinner at my apartment and were sitting on the couch. He said, "You'll be a good wife someday." I said, "Was that a proposal?" He said, "Yeah, I guess it was." I said, "Then I guess I accept."

The 14th of this month we'll be married 39 years. :-D

[dreamflower]

You are just a few months ahead of us. On Sept. 11 will be OUR 39th!

So, you will have a Happy Valentine's Day and a Happy Anniversary all rolled into one! (((hugs)))

[pearltook1]

Yep :-) Hoping to use some of the hotel points we still have from when Bru was on the road all the time for work and spend a night at a nice hotel in a bigger city (haven't decided where yet) and then go to a museum or something. :-)

[grey-wonderer.livejournal.com]

I remember when you were in hurricane Katrina too! It seems like yesterday and a long time ago. So many of the folks that I knew on line back then are gone now but I recall the worry and how everyone was trying to get news about someone who had been in the storm's path. I also remember our phone conversation. Scary times.

I also recall the assassination of President Kennedy. It was the first time I saw my mom cry.

[dreamflower]

Your phone call meant so much to me, being able to re-connect after being cut off for so long, plus the stories you sent me were wonderful! I know that one good thing that came out of Katrina was a greater appreciation of all the love and support I had online.

It was such a watershed moment. There have been lots of other national tragedies, but that seems like the first one.

[mariole.livejournal.com]

Wow, those are some memories. I also remember Kennedy's assassination. That was one of my earliest powerful memories.