Nostalgia. It’s delicate but, potent. It is something more powerful than any memory. It is an everlasting feeling. A feeling that we yearn to feel, even if it is just once more in our lifetime. That moment for me takes place at 7324 Johnston Drive, right outside of of Cleveland, Ohio. Now similar to a food recipe, my perfect dinner experience also requires a recipe, but instead of flour and eggs as ingredients, it requires specific people and even animals. It requires family. My parents got divorced when I was eleven, so the memories of those dinners have faded. The twinge in my heart is something I can never shake. The older I get, the more that these dinners mean to me and the more it hits me that these dinners will continue to happen less …show more content…
These dinners are a day long experience that usually begins around 2 pm. For years my mother and I have bonded around foods and the grocery store. The car rides are just as memorable as the rest of the day, as they consist of me asking outlandish questions and me turning on “unintelligent music” as she quickly changes the station. At the store we take our time not by choice, but due to the fact my mom knows everyone in my town. I glide through the store like a gazelle running to each aisle picking out the most mouth watering meats, cheeses, and beer. The workers help me with sincerity as I hand pick the best blue cheese stuffed burgers, and go into the cooler grabbing a six pack of Stella Artois and a bottle of red wine; my family’s …show more content…
The animals jostle for their seat at the table too, as they know the best chance of getting a bite is sitting below me; I am the messiest. In my life I have had 31 pets. I have a distinct memory of each pet in my life. Each pet has impacted all of our lives and has brought our family closer together. At the age of four, I stood on top the jungle gym, in tears, as our family took turns giving speeches about Haley; the first pet I ever lost. At the age of eight, I gripped my moms hand as the vet came to our house to put down my parents first shared dog Chestnut. Even after my parents became divorced at the age of eleven, events like these continued to bring our family closer together. When I was 17, on Christmas my dad and mom sat together in tears, when Angel looked as if she experiencing her last breath. When I was 14 years old and I sat hugging my dad, as my deceased grandmother’s cat passed away. Once again, even years after the divorce my mom made sure my dad’s cat received a proper burial. She not only buried Lilac in our pet cemetery, but she dug the hole herself. You see our animals look at everyone in our family as family. They do not view my dad as a stranger. When he is over for dinner they greet him with the sloppiest of wet kisses. This I know will never
To begin, the food we eat can trigger our thoughts and memories of the times we had with our loved ones. Whether one is smelling burgers at a family barbeque, eating a feast during the holidays, or biting into that hot, homemade cookie, one’s senses are awakened when one smells or taste food, and it brings one back to the fond memories of the times we have family. I will be discussing my personal memories and how I identify with the father in the story,”Chili Cheese Dogs My Father And Me”, by Pat Conroy.
More than half of American households have a pet and this trend is just spreading more and more. The main reason people are keeping pets is for the companionship that pets offer. Normal household pets, such as dogs and cats, offer people the attention and the feeling of always having a companion by one’s side that people may not get from other humans. Pets nowadays are often treated as a regular member of one’s family and people will spend a lot of money for their pets. In 2014, Americans has spent an estimated $58 billion on their pets along with hours of care for them (Yuhas, 1). Regardless of the type of pets people may choose to have there is always a common emotional bond that ties the human with the animal between all loving pet owners. This emotional bond benefits humans in various ways.
...le of the family. The animals are like machines, but they also need proper care, love, and nutrition.
Do you have a very important memory that you are sure will never leave your head? Well, um.. I do! This memory that i’m about to tell you about is very, very important to me. Every year we used to go to my Pawpaw’s for thanksgiving. It was so much fun. We would all get to his house and go inside. My Pawpaw basically lived in his garage! When we would get to his house, guess where he was! His garage! We would go say hi and what for more people to get to his house. My Mawmaw would make the best food ever! When more people got to there house we would go inside and eat. They had two tables and the kids would sit at one and the adults would sit at the other one. Well, it was time to get my food. I got my food. One thing that I got was mashed potatoes
A bus carrying several clinical students from the local college pulls up in front of the nursing home. The students begin to unload some boxes which contain puppies and kittens ranging in age from three to six months. Once inside, the students begin to pass the puppies and kittens out to the patients that are waiting expectantly in the recreation room. Some patients are alone, some are in groups, but all are delighted to see the animals arrive. As the animals are being passed out, the patients begin smiling, laughing, and talking to the animals. They stroke their coats, play with them, and feed them snacks that they have saved for this occasion. While the patients are interacting with other students and staff, two of the students begin making notes on the activities that are taking place in the room. The patients, staff, and students are clearly enjoying themselves, but there are greater benefits to be found here.
Never, ever, in my life has something tasted so good. We shared a meal that no restaurant could ever top. My father and I became even tighter. From that day on, regular meals tasted like plastic and hot dogs and no better than that. Dangerous dishes became our gourmet good eats.
It’s when my brother tries to steal my Monopoly money when I’m not looking, or when my mom’s Pictionary drawing of a car somehow ends up looking like swiss cheese, or when my dad refuses to stop playing Rummikub until he wins, that I look around the table and realize that I am incredibly thankful for these cherished moments with the people I
Moments in our lives, will often leave a memory, some vivid, others vague. A memory recalls an experience we have had; coming of age opportunities usually are those that become memorable. Hannah Goodwin gives advice to, “Make time to create memories” (2013, para. 1). Goodwin continues to explain that, “Making memories does not require tons of money, or need to be elaborate vacations or expensive gifts.” (2013, Para. 1). I strongly agree with Goodwin’s statements. Some of my most memorable experiences came from simple things I did as a child, such as learning to ride a bike, playing board games with my family, and even playing in the snow. It was those simple, yet fun activities that all created life-long memories for me. Not only did these activities create great memories, but each one taught me something that has helped me become who I am today. From learning good sportsmanship while playing games with my family, to learning how to build a snowman, though simple things to learn, I got to learn them while having fun. I think that creating memories is important because as you reflect upon past experiences it becomes eas...
Food is profoundly in American’s culture it is like a social essential necessity. America has a mixture of different ethnicities and although they may have their own food everyone eats similar foods and if one does not it will set a social barrier. Food can be for gift giving, simple generosity or even in exchange for something. Usually, food is shared and many tend to sit together at a specific mealtime it may vary from friends, parents, children or visitors or, strangers, new people. In an occasion like this it somehow becomes a symbol of love as they all come together into an eating event. Aside from just love, there ...
“Over 71 million American households [about 62%] have a pet, with most people considering their pets as members of the family (Cadciotti and Zuckerman)”. Pet ownership has become increasingly common. They are often thought of as companions and just another member of the family but they can be so much more. They provide many other great benefits to the people they interact with. “ Some research studies have found that people who have a pet have healthier hearts, stay home sick less often, make fewer [doctor visits], get more exercise, and are less depressed (Cadciotti and Diana Zuckerman)”. Pet owners can definitely see the benefits that come from interacting with animals. They interact with their pets on a daily basis and receive much love
Without nostalgia to remind us of the past, we would be lost in the tiresome hustle and bustle of our current society. Nostalgia is a source of hope and happiness for those who struggle with their day to day lives or merely wish to relive a memorable and enjoyable time from their past. Although burdensome, it is apparent that negativity is often present when one nostalgizes. However, one must look past the negatives as nostalgia functions best when channeled positively. Whatever the reason for recalling past events, it is evident that nostalgia brings with it a whirlwind of emotions that cannot be replicated through any other means.
As I waited outside my mother’s home on a chilly afternoon, I had seen a dog barking at an innocent white cat. Of course my mom lived in a neighborhood that was polluted with animals. Maybe, it was because she grew up on a farm with about five dogs so for her to see animals was a normal thing. Somehow, she was gifted to love and nurture. The vibe she gave was natural and impossible to miss.
Looking back on a childhood filled with events and memories, I find it rather difficult to pick on that leaves me with the fabled “warm and fuzzy feelings.” As the daughter of an Air Force Major, I had the pleasure of traveling across America in many moving trips. I have visited the monstrous trees of the Sequoia National Forest, stood on the edge of the Grande Canyon and have jumped on the beds at Caesar’s Palace in Lake Tahoe. However, I have discovered that when reflecting on my childhood, it is not the trips that come to mind, instead there are details from everyday doings; a deck of cards, a silver bank or an ice cream flavor.
“Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet.” ― Colette. Humans have shared a unique relationship with animals since ancient times, and today, that same love affair continues. Pet ownership continues to be on the rise and more people are jumping on the pet bandwagon. What is so special about the human-animal connection and why is it so important? Besides providing tremendous companionship, having a pet reaps incredible health and psychological benefits. The advantages of having an animal are endless. Everyone should have a pet, and those who don’t are missing out. Pets make us happy. Pets make us healthy. Pets are good for us.
Social gatherings are often developed with food in mind. Parties have cake, Christmas has cookies, and of course, there is the possibility to dine out as group to celebrate an important event. On multiple occasions, I have opted not to attend such an occasion in order to save others the hassle of preparing food for me or to avoid the embarrassment of bringing my own food. There is no easy way to go about social gatherings; however, dining out is even worse. Every family celebration has to be planned around food I can eat and once at the restaurant it is imperative to ask multiple questions about the food being ordered to avoid cross contamination. When this happens, I feel like a nuisance to not only my family but also the wait staff at the restaurant as