Raindrops And Memories

When I was about nine years old my grandfather said to me, "Ann, if there were a thousand people standing on a bridge with you, and one bird flew over, it's poop would land on your head."

I think about his words all of the time, but this phrase remains in the corners of my mind. (I cannot imagine why?)

There are so many words we remember from our parents and grandparents that never leave us, I can still hear their voices echoing in the recesses of my mind.  The other day, I passed by my grandmothers old property, where a new house has been built, and another family lives inside. I looked at all of the Azalea bushes, Magnolia tree, etc..but in my mind her house was there, along with my memories.

The new owners cut down the Pecan Trees, but I could still see them standing tall and proud, doing their job for the world. I also saw myself on her back porch digging around fifty year old gardening tools.

On the back porch there was a screen door leading out to concrete steps-

I loved to sit on the porch with my grandmother at dusk, and watch the moon travel toward the sky. I could not wait for the sun to go down, so I asked her again and again when the moon would come, and she'd say, "Be patient, the man in the moon is busy, but he will be here soon."

Then, my grandmother would say, "Listen for the sound of crickets then you'll know the moon is on it's way." So I did- After which, the crickets began to chirp, and the moon slowly touched the dusty sky. 




I was so excited, I busted through the screen door, looked toward the heavens, and out of nowhere it began to rain. It wasn't a bad thing though, she let me run in the wet grass, while slivers of  rain ran down my face. That is, before the rain poured out of the sky like a thunderous cloud blanketing the moon ,earth and stars.  I did have many moments with my grandmother watching the moon and stars from her back porch..I was just giving you an example of my grandfathers words from long ago.

Now, I'm going to give you example from the here and now-  Within two days of last week, I don't remember what I was doing, but I was in a hurry so I didn't notice it at first. That is until I backed into a neighbors car in the parking lot.  After we called the police to make a report, I looked at my car, and guess what was on the drivers side window?  Yep, you guessed it, bird poop-

Then, days later, a friend picked me up to go shopping, and guess what was on the passenger side window? Right again, bird poop-   





(I suppose there is a reason the words of our love ones remain with us for a live time.)