I was about 8 years old at the time. Although, I forgot that this event took place at 11:00 PM EST, I do distinctly recall watching it with my maternal grandparents, at their apartment duplex in Lynn, MA, and that my Zade, a Ukrainian Jew who came from the old country at about age 6, said something to me very similar to what your dad said to you. I also recall certain things he said to me while walking along Lynn Beach to the bakery and kosher butcher shop.
Furthermore, I've also taken a similar approach to you with my two children (son and daughter) and, of course, Rome, my only grandchild until the middle of this month (my daughter in Germany will be giving birth to her first child).
Your piece, like a lot of them, remind me of an EB White piece about memories of a summer trip to a lake with his father , that I read in high school. Speaking of long distance memories.
I agree, you never know what's going to stick. One of my earliest memories is being brought along with my mom and her best friend on, I think, a shopping trip. I barely remember being in the casual restaurant where they had lunch, then listening to the talk as I drifted to sleep in the backseat of the car. I don't feel anything emotionally when I think of it, but it still stuck. (Thanks for the shout-out!)
I was 6-1/2, and I vividly remember my dad plunking me down in front of the TV and telling me this is important, I need to watch it. I was old enough to understand that it was a man walking on the moon.
It was a few years later before I realized this was a miracle.
At the time I was thinking ok, there’s a guy walking on the moon. If Dad thinks it’s important, I guess it’s important. Years later, I was grateful to him for plunking me down in front of this bit of history!
I was about 8 years old at the time. Although, I forgot that this event took place at 11:00 PM EST, I do distinctly recall watching it with my maternal grandparents, at their apartment duplex in Lynn, MA, and that my Zade, a Ukrainian Jew who came from the old country at about age 6, said something to me very similar to what your dad said to you. I also recall certain things he said to me while walking along Lynn Beach to the bakery and kosher butcher shop.
Furthermore, I've also taken a similar approach to you with my two children (son and daughter) and, of course, Rome, my only grandchild until the middle of this month (my daughter in Germany will be giving birth to her first child).
Your piece, like a lot of them, remind me of an EB White piece about memories of a summer trip to a lake with his father , that I read in high school. Speaking of long distance memories.
I’m thrilled that my story about memory triggers memories!
I agree, you never know what's going to stick. One of my earliest memories is being brought along with my mom and her best friend on, I think, a shopping trip. I barely remember being in the casual restaurant where they had lunch, then listening to the talk as I drifted to sleep in the backseat of the car. I don't feel anything emotionally when I think of it, but it still stuck. (Thanks for the shout-out!)
So strange the things we remember!
I was 6-1/2, and I vividly remember my dad plunking me down in front of the TV and telling me this is important, I need to watch it. I was old enough to understand that it was a man walking on the moon.
It was a few years later before I realized this was a miracle.
At the time I was thinking ok, there’s a guy walking on the moon. If Dad thinks it’s important, I guess it’s important. Years later, I was grateful to him for plunking me down in front of this bit of history!