Childhood Memory
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Mare Crisium
Posts: 1,930
Childhood Memory
When I submitted my first post here at SR, I said I'd like to tell my story someday.
That would fill a book. Here is a small bit of what's on my mind.
I'd like to reflect upon a certain childhood memory.
I had a decent upbringing, no abusive parents or relatives, no alcoholics (well maybe some cousins).
Anyway, I remember the traditional gatherings of parents, grandparents, perhaps aunts & uncles
on the major holidays; at home of course. Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Eve and Day dinners.
My dad would mix a "high-ball" or "Manhattan" for the adults. I remember the shaker, strainer, jigger
and the sound of ice cubes in the glasses. I remember the small detail of the very 1960's plastic stirrers,
with the glitter molded inside of them. I remember the jigger glasses that had playing cards embossed on them.
I remember everyone being happy and laughing, Grandpa's cigarette smoke hanging in the air.
What I mainly remember is that everyone only had 1 drink that lasted them all night. Well maybe Grandpa had 2.
My parents had the same bottles of liquor in their cabinet for years.
Could this have planted a seed in my brain? You know, associating the festivity with the drinks?
Being innocently unaware of the danger of it?
Just ranting. Thanks for any comments.
That would fill a book. Here is a small bit of what's on my mind.
I'd like to reflect upon a certain childhood memory.
I had a decent upbringing, no abusive parents or relatives, no alcoholics (well maybe some cousins).
Anyway, I remember the traditional gatherings of parents, grandparents, perhaps aunts & uncles
on the major holidays; at home of course. Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Eve and Day dinners.
My dad would mix a "high-ball" or "Manhattan" for the adults. I remember the shaker, strainer, jigger
and the sound of ice cubes in the glasses. I remember the small detail of the very 1960's plastic stirrers,
with the glitter molded inside of them. I remember the jigger glasses that had playing cards embossed on them.
I remember everyone being happy and laughing, Grandpa's cigarette smoke hanging in the air.
What I mainly remember is that everyone only had 1 drink that lasted them all night. Well maybe Grandpa had 2.
My parents had the same bottles of liquor in their cabinet for years.
Could this have planted a seed in my brain? You know, associating the festivity with the drinks?
Being innocently unaware of the danger of it?
Just ranting. Thanks for any comments.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Gatineau, QC, CA
Posts: 5,100
Same here, my memories are clearly of Alcohol abuse in my family.
Pretty much everyone on my moms side died of Alcohol related illness, including her. I was raised seeing her pounding beers and Tylenols, crying most of the time. So that planted the seed of dealing with sadness with booze. When my grandpa died of liver failure, I instantly became an Alcoholic.
Nice thread, made me introspect. Thanks!
Pretty much everyone on my moms side died of Alcohol related illness, including her. I was raised seeing her pounding beers and Tylenols, crying most of the time. So that planted the seed of dealing with sadness with booze. When my grandpa died of liver failure, I instantly became an Alcoholic.
Nice thread, made me introspect. Thanks!
Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Posts: 15,238
For some odd wonderful feeling, I love hearing
about the past. Retro past. I am a 1958 baby
born in that era with awesome BIG cars and all
those items that are collectables, vintage, old
school....you know.
All alcohol was stored under the cabinate and Miller
Pony's in the frig mostly all for my high functioning
sick mom, who maintained a job, had 4 children,
married for life, Dr. Jeckle/Mr. Hyde personality,
Mommy Dearest/Joan Crawford personality.
Both grandfathers invited to holiday meals,
cigar smoke and a bottle of wine and a small
taste for us little ones. A mom excusing herself
to not return to the kitchen to eat with us
because our dad informed us that she was
sick. She always produced many awesome
huge meals for every occasion and drank thru
the making of it too only get drunk and skip
the meals she cooked.
I forgot what the topic was....let me go look....
Oh, childhood memories....don't get me started...lol
Believe me, I have drank thru all that I
went thru as a child and young adult till
I was 30, when I entered rehab and recovery.
I haven't had to drink since, but those childhood
memories are visited time and time again. Maybe
cause I love the retro part of it. Old times.
about the past. Retro past. I am a 1958 baby
born in that era with awesome BIG cars and all
those items that are collectables, vintage, old
school....you know.
All alcohol was stored under the cabinate and Miller
Pony's in the frig mostly all for my high functioning
sick mom, who maintained a job, had 4 children,
married for life, Dr. Jeckle/Mr. Hyde personality,
Mommy Dearest/Joan Crawford personality.
Both grandfathers invited to holiday meals,
cigar smoke and a bottle of wine and a small
taste for us little ones. A mom excusing herself
to not return to the kitchen to eat with us
because our dad informed us that she was
sick. She always produced many awesome
huge meals for every occasion and drank thru
the making of it too only get drunk and skip
the meals she cooked.
I forgot what the topic was....let me go look....
Oh, childhood memories....don't get me started...lol
Believe me, I have drank thru all that I
went thru as a child and young adult till
I was 30, when I entered rehab and recovery.
I haven't had to drink since, but those childhood
memories are visited time and time again. Maybe
cause I love the retro part of it. Old times.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Scotland
Posts: 379
Similar to you, my family are not drinkers. They only drink at Christmas - a glass of wine with Christmas lunch, and a sherry on Boxing Day. Some of my happiest childhood memories are of those family Boxing Days, everyone telling jokes, playing games, and unwrapping presents. The first time I got tipsy was at a family Boxing Day when I was 15. I was allowed to have my first ever wine with my meal and it went straight to my head. I remember the brilliant and completely unexpected feeling of euphoria the wine gave me; how it enhanced the happiness of being all together at Christmas.
Like you, I do think part of my desire to drink has been to do with recapturing those sort of memories and associations. I don't see any of my family anymore and live a very different life now. The word nostalgia comes from the words for 'pain' and 'home' (or 'homecoming'). It's the pain of nostalgia, in its un-recapturability, that I've often allowed myself to wallow in.
There were lots of bad things about my childhood too though, and much of my drinking problem comes from wanting to blot out certain memories rather than wanting to recapture them.
Like you, I do think part of my desire to drink has been to do with recapturing those sort of memories and associations. I don't see any of my family anymore and live a very different life now. The word nostalgia comes from the words for 'pain' and 'home' (or 'homecoming'). It's the pain of nostalgia, in its un-recapturability, that I've often allowed myself to wallow in.
There were lots of bad things about my childhood too though, and much of my drinking problem comes from wanting to blot out certain memories rather than wanting to recapture them.
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