November 2010
There is a 'Magic Place' that I can retreat to anytime I wish. It can be likened to a computer, where I can log on to Favourites, then on to Memory Lane - click and I am transported to the past - move the mouse and I am back to the present - click - I can download lovely romantic music, songs I can sing in the bath or music from the Shows I have seen, that bring back wonderful memories of younger days.
In my 'Magic PIace' I am able to view once again wonderful venues I have been to - countryside and seaside, I can bring back images of people I have known - conversations I have had, amusing, political, silly and intense.
In my 'Magic PIace' I can conjure up happy times and bad times. Little things I see can dredge up long forgotten moments - standing in Hyde Park years ago, holding my 'Ban the Bomb' banner although, in my naivety, I did wonder why people would want to blow each other up! In my 'Magic PIace' I am able to revisit the outings and trips abroad I have been on, the films I have seen, the concerts, theatres, restaurants, talks, and so much other wonderful stuff that has happened to me.
I can visualise in my minds eye a past life as a daughter, wife, mother. A long, long journey peppered with good luck, lucky breaks, bad luck (not a lot) but mostly, on reflection, a really good and, so far, a healthy life.
I try not to regurgitate bad things too much, especially as there is nothing I can do about them, e.g. wars, torture, earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunami's, corrupt governments, hunger and poverty in the Third World - all going on for centuries and likely to be status quo long after my demise - so I try to push all these ugly events to the back of my mind, not a lot of use dwelling on them too long, it takes the shine off.
You have probably guessed by now that my 'Magic Place' is in my head, in my Memory Box.
You can lose photos but no one can erase pictures firmly planted in ones brain and it's wonderful to be able to sit quietly sometimes and reflect on what has been and dream of what might be. I am busy organising events for next year so that not all my thoughts will be in the past - don't want to get stagnant, will need lots of memories to dredge up when I am unable to get about in my old age.
Now that I am in the Third Age nothing can take away my 'Magic Place', which will be with me until the day I die.