Memory

       I've forgotten lots and lots of things. Ask my husband. He loves telling people about things we've done I've completely forgotten about. Concerts, movies, all kinds of things. I'll swear I've never seen a movie, up, down and sideways. When I watch it, again, it's like "oh, ok, I HAVE seen this. But I still can't tell you how it ends." It's just familiar, not known. There really isn't a memory of it.
       Shopping with Emily the other day she reminded me that we needed ice cream. Wound up with chocolate, vanilla, and cookies and cream. Her new favorite flavor. That night, of course we opened the cookies and cream first. Scooping it out of the carton into her bowl I was hit with a great memory. My girlfriend and I, probably about the same age as Emily, sitting in my parents basement spoons in hand, polishing off our own half gallon carton of cookies and cream ice cream.
       Sleepovers. We had so many of them over the years. But each year there was a special one. I think it started in first grade and went through until at least seventh. Her dad was a NYC fireman and each year her parents would go in (I believe now it was for the installation dinner the fire department has) and stay overnight in the City. Since she always slept at my house and my parents were essentially babysitting, her mom would take us shopping for goodies to have for the sleepover. Those were some great grocery store trips. Picking whatever we wanted. Ice cream, Soda, chips, dips, all kinds of treats.
       I had been grocery shopping with my mother before of course but this was different. I also remember being shocked at one point when shopping with them. Her mom grabbed a bag of cookies and opened them. And let us eat some in the store while we were shopping. We hadn't paid for them yet! I was amazed. My mom would never do something like that. To them it was all normal so I went along with it. And enjoyed every minute! If I'm ever even tempted to eat while I'm shopping I always think of that trip, but I don't usually do it.
       As we got older we of course could eat more and would get two of just about everything. That was when we had our contests. Who could finish their bag of snacks first, their 2 liter bottle of soda first? And as we were such ladies at such a young age, the best burps from all that soda. We had all night and sometimes it did take awhile to finish them. It was always so much fun. I don't even remember who won more often. (I think me.) Or if it made us sick. (I don't think so.) It didn't matter, and doesn't matter. We're still friends who share some amazing memories. Although it took a little something like cookies and cream ice cream to spark the memory, I hope, and doubt, it's something I'll ever forget.