The Shape of Today

Memories of laughter

It's funny how your mind just kicks out random memories that seem to be prompted by nothing in particular. While getting ready for bed last night I had the strangest recollection...one of a childhood illness. Possibly because I just started on The End of the World As We Know It, a new anthology of stories inspired by Stephen King's The Stand.

I remembered my mother trying to keep me entertained when I was down with either the measles or the mumps...can't remember which, nor how old I was. I can't have been any older than five or six, because it was in our Newark apartment and we moved to the shore in '73 or so. Anyway, Mom made up an absurd story starring all of my stuffed animals--chief among them was Smokey, but I think I also had a stuffed Snoopy and possibly a bunny. In her story, which I only remember fragments of, they had all gathered at the kitchen table for a meal and were annoyed because it was late in coming. Mom described how they were all banging their forks and knives on the table, and for some reason I found this hilarious. I recall her laughing because I was laughing. Smokey, the rest of the stuffed toys, Mom, and possibly the apartment are all now long gone, but this funny partial story remains. Setting it down to keep it alive, and possibly because I can use it for a story of my own.

And because WDC wants me to update my blog. So there ya go!