Chilly Warm Memories
by Kaitlyn Bristol
Oregon City, OR
To me there is nothing more beautiful than a warm honey glazed sun set against the cool calm waters of the Pacific Ocean. I think of these memories tenderly. This is my happy place, the bonding place of my mother and I.
Pictures galore, of my mother and me spending time at the coast, line the halls in my house, pictures of us, just the two of us as we enjoy the beach and all its qualities that make it such an attraction to both her and me, pictures of only some of the million times we took a trip to the coast from our city home. She would say, “Bugs I think it’s about time you and I go and have some fun being just us!” and I would always be ready in about ten minutes, and already in the car screaming with excitement.
One photo in particular I love the most. It’s the first picture of them all, my first trip to he coast. My mother, young, precious, and so vibrant with color. I, with my ringlet curls that formed an afro of red, and my wobbly body barely able to hold myself up on my own. Even though I can’t remember that exact day in the photo, I can remember the many other birthdays spent playing at the beach. Just she and I, we would go and rent a cheap room in this old motel. I remember our “parties”, with their long nights of watching country music videos, playing with my new gifts, gawking over Kenney Chesney, and racing down the hall to get more ice to keep our drinks cold though the night. The two of us would stop at a supermarket and stock up on junk food, a box of my favorite donuts, eggs, and milk of all sorts.
I’d bring my Winnie the Pooh sheets, mom would bring the blankets, and we’d both bring our favorite pillows. We’d camp out in our own special way.
Beautiful means different things to different people. Some might see it in a piece of fancy art, or a really expensive expansive sports car, or maybe even in a super model. To me it’s those memories of just my amazing mother and me on the beach while the sun sets. Just the two of us spending that time together that seemed to last forever and now I wish it never ended, let the sun set forever. Honey glazed sunsets against the cool calm waters of the Pacific Ocean.
