21 Memories to Keep
Around 1990, my middle school crush asked me to throw away his can of Barq’s root beer on the bus ride home from school. I kept the can hidden in a box under my bed for a year. I pretended we were dating.
Around 1993, mom took me to get my driver’s license. They forgot to give me the test–they checked my eyes and took my picture. My mom said, “Shh” and away we went. I drove to Taco Bell that night.
Around 1986, Aunt Susie babysat my siblings and me. She showed Poltergeist to the crowd of us. Instead of feeling terrified–I loved it. This began my love of all things horror and Halloween.
Around 1980, Grandma Downham showed me the three fairies she had living in the bottom of a vase. Three white specks of magic. I believed in the existence of those fairies for a long time.
Around 1999, I tell my mom that I won’t be moving to Chicago after my college graduation. I’ll be having a baby in December instead. I think this was the better plan.
Around 1995, I change into my “going-out” clothes in Marcy’s backseat. The crop top and short shorts wouldn’t have met Cinde’s approval. We were immortal.
Around 1981, my mom cried while the 8-track player in the van cranked out “Mandy” by Barry Manilow. At three years old, I didn’t understand why she was crying as we rode down the highway. After reading the lyrics, I understand a little more now.
Around 2020, I traveled to Savannah with my sisters. We drank, we ate, we sang at a dueling piano bar. Four days after we returned, the world shut down. The in-laws joke that the Downham girls aren’t allowed to travel together anymore.
Around 1992, my sisters and I drove to Colorado with my dad. He wanted to go on a business trip. My mom said he had to take a few kids off her hands. They had twelve children. I think my dad got the better deal.
Around 2004, I went to my car after a long day of teaching at my first job. My boyfriend left me an envelope with a CD that said, “Open and play track #7–it says it all.” We danced to “Something in the Way She Moves” at our wedding six months later.