Friday, October 26, 2007

10,20,30 Years Ago - What Was Going on for YOU?

Do you remember what was going on for you in 1997? How about 1987? How about 1977? It's crazy to think about, isn't it? Karen over at Karen's Ramblings had this meme over at her place this week. It has had me thinking all week. So, I thought I would share some of the pivotal things that were going on in my life, in each of these years. Hopefully, we can all laugh and remember some shared experiences together!
  • 1977 - I was 12. I had my very first boyfriend, a neighbor boy. I went to private school. We had a small town, and unbelievably, we had 2 small Catholic schools. Well, in my 6th grade ('77) we combined the 2 schools into 1. It really was the best use of resources in our small town. The school I had gone to, was sort of the more "blue collar" element of the Catholic community in our town. That one was now shut down, and absorbed by the ever so slightly elevated other Catholic school. It was with much trepidation that we all entered into our new school year in '77. We felt we were being sent to go to school with the snobs! No telling what the "other" school felt like! Of course, we NEVER thought of that! Can you believe we ever survive these things! Gracious! I have to say, this is the year that the teen angst started hitting me. I became moody, difficult to get along with, and I had never been like that as a child. I never really recovered from the moodies until I got saved, more on that later. Ummm...this was the year of platform shoes and I DO believe that Bee-Gees were big... Music - For you music fiends, here are some of my favs from then - Best of My Love - Emotions, Your Love Has Lifted Me Higher - Rita Coolidge, Undercover Angel - Alan O'Day, Dancing Queen - ABBA, You Make Me Feel Like Dancing - Leo Sayer, Rich Girl - Hall & Oates, Hotel California - Eagles, Gonna Fly Now - Rocky Theme! Sooo many more! This was a BIG year! I was surprised at the time defining songs on the list. I could go on, but you get the pic!
  • 1987 - I was 22 yrs old, married for 4 years and had 1 child. I was not attending church, and I was working in a job that would become a career, (by God's grace and no less), in an administrative capacity in law enforcement. Looking back at this period, I am now aware that I was extremely lost and empty, spiritually speaking. I had a happy marriage and loved my child, and had lots of family. Yet something was missing, I just wasn't clear on what that something was. This would become a thirst, that I would focus on slaking, by drawing near to God in the ways that I knew, until He could teach me new ways. It took several years! He is sure patient! Music - Some of the ones that stick with me, and I can remember driving to work and daycare listening to are: Walk Like An Egyptian - Bangles, Mony, Mony - Billy Idol, I Wanna Dance With Somebody - Whitney Huston, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For -U2 (that was my heart at that time, though I didn't recognize it at the time.), Livin' on a Prayer - Bon Jovi.
  • 1997 - Still married, now have 2 children, and now my job has been a career for nine of ten years, since our last stop on memory lane. I am a committed, but immature Christian up to this point. Immature only because I have so much growing to do, and so much to learn. Everything is in technicolor now. There is a grounded sense of purpose, there are healthy values, perspectives and boundaries. This brings peace. As does the transforming power of spiritual rebirth. This year was significant. It was a year of transition, of restoration. I remember we paid off a significant debt that year. It felt really good. We got a nice, used Bronco that my honey loved! We took our first family 2 week vacation (my second 2 weeker). We learned during that vacation, how to be what I call a domestic family. It was wonderful and taught us this was the lifestyle we wanted. Our normal style of family life had been what I'll call working family. This means EVERYTHING was done by the seat of our pants. Our kids were the first to get to day care, and last to be picked up. Because we had married young, then went to work, (and work hard), somehow we had chiseled out these roles for ourselves, which were not ideal for healthy family dynamics. Because my honey had always had a job working outside or in a capacity where he couldn't take care of certain family business matters, a lot of family details had originally fallen on me. Somehow, that had evolved into something it wasn't ever meant to be. I was not making room for him to take the lead, in many appropriate ways, where we both truly longed for him to. During the past year or so, here in 1997, we had recognized this, and started repairing and relearning. This 2 week vacation now gave us a chance to stop the hamster wheel of life, long enough to think and practice some of our newly found skills. It was invigorating and eye opening. Up to this point, most of what we did, was what we thought had to be. Time away (we went camping in the mountains, in a very rustic setting for 2 weeks) gave us the ability to say, "Hey, there are actually different ways to live, and they suit us better than what we have been doing. We just have to work towards it." So we did! Music - I am showing my age here. As I look at this list, several things jump out at me. For instance, the names of the bands, and the names of the songs. One song is a curse word, several are very provocative. MMMBop -Hanson, If it Makes You Happy - Sheryl Crow, Macarena - (Bayside Boys Mix) Los Del Rio.

I hope you guys could relate to some of the changes life brings over the years. It was enlightening to me, to look backwards and see how far we really have come! It gives me hope for the next 10, 20 and 30!

This is not a tag meme, so if you decide to do your own, do tell and I will pop over! I'd love to hear some of your stories!

Have a great weekend!

P.S. If you want more music info for these years here's where you can go for the Top 100 for each year:

1977 - 1987 - 1997


10 comments:

Unknown said...

Dear Free,

I like your taste in music!

Sincerely,

Alan O'Day

Unknown said...

Good post. It is hard for me to remember, let alone organize my life chronologically. You did a splendid job. I like the music touch. Really puts a person into the right era. So many people can and do realize when changes need to be made, but most don't have the courage to do it. I applaud you.

She Rose Up said...

Dear Mr O'Day,

Ok - This doesn't happen often. I am speechless....or the closest thing to it for me!

Yes, Your song is still AWESOME! Just looking up the hits for this post, brought back the song & brought back silly days of long ago!

Thanks for stopping by, now the song has been in my head all day!

Sincerely appreciative,
freetofly

P.S. Thanks for being great at your craft. Music DOES change people's lives.

She Rose Up said...

Carole!

You know, this was one of those "have to do" sort of posts. I mulled at first, after reading Karen's. Then yesterday it just sort of materialized in my mind, the shape and pattern. I have to say, about 3:00 a.m. I woke up with the strongest urge to take it off, delete it. I got cold feet, because it was so personal. But, I felt it was something I had to leave, that it might help someone. I pray it does. I think words and ideas are like seeds. Sometimes we do not see what they sprout for awhile...

Thanks for your kindness,
Maria

Cecily R said...

In 1977 I was two. We lived in Minnesota. The only thing I remember about that time is that my brother's best friend fell off the monkey bars and broke his arm.

In 1987 I was 12. I wore electric blue mascara and my hair was so big and stiff it was a hazard to anyone who walked too close to me. I was in Junior High, so everything was high drama.

In 1997 Jon and I had been married for a year or so and I was pregnant with Isaac. I was an ornery pregnant lady and I'm glad Jon still likes me.

Oh, and by the way, I tagged you. Write a post listing seven random things about you and then tag seven people to do the same thing.

Have fun!

Anonymous said...

Wow, that was fun to read. Kinda brought me back to some of my own "stuff" from the past. Thanks!

A Captured Reflection said...

I really enjoyed these, oh the music took me back - we are only 2 years apart in age. I remember my first 'steady' boyfriend when I was 14 - just before I became a Christian. He went on to marry my cousin. What a hoot. Thank you for your words of encouragement, yes it is so true and I feel encouraged again. When you see your 'flaws' in the midst of the trials it can be tough stuff. A most glorious sunny day here and getting some 'spring cleaning' underway is great therapy too. Thank you Maria!

She Rose Up said...

Cec! I love the pic of you with the Big 80s hair! I can soo picture this! And I forgot about that mascara! Man, I had electric blue and violet! Those were the days! Ha! ;D

Karen! Thanks for stopping by! I really like your blog. You have a writer's heart! Keep on bloggin', Girl!

Karen (in New Zealand) Wow! I forget that our seasons are opposite! It's fall here.

I am glad you are feeling zippier!

Thanks for visting, Ya'll!
Maria

luvmy4sons said...

What I find hard to beleive is that I have a period of time that I can remember that was 30 years ago AND I wasn't an infant at the time! LOL1 Thanks for sharing your trip down memory lane!

She Rose Up said...

luv4ursons,

I KNOW! Tell me about it! I really was mind boggled myself!

I guess that means we are having fun! Time is sure flyin'!

Thanks for taking the trip with me!
Maria

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What Does it Mean Anyway? "Free to Fly"...

Well, it's like this: Here are some of the Webster's Dictionary definitions of Free: a : having the legal and political rights of a citizen b : enjoying civil and political liberty c : enjoying political independence or freedom from outside domination d : enjoying personal freedom : not subject to the control or domination of another2 a : not determined by anything beyond its own nature or being : choosing or capable of choosing for itself...having a scope not restricted by qualification 7 a : not obstructed, restricted, or impeded ...Now, here are some of the Webster's Dictionary definitions of Fly:1 a : to move in or pass through the air with wings b : to move through the air or before the wind or through outer space c : to float, wave, or soar in the air ... a : to take flight ...6 : to work successfully ...Examples which apply from Websters: fly high : to be elated - fly in the face of or fly in the teeth of : to stand or act forthrightly or brazenly in defiance or contradiction of

What does this mean in my life? This means that in life we are meant to be free. While historically mankind has not always enjoyed the opportunity to fully appreciate what that means, we are so indescribably fortunate as to live in a time of the greatest spiritual, physical, financial and political freedom ever known. Freedom doesn't come cheap, nor does it come easy. But the best things in life don't come that way do they? As I write this I am struck by how this sounds like a political statement, and for me this is much more of a spiritual thing, but, same goes for that (political that is). Freedom doesn't come easy. And it's worth whatever fight you have to make to overcome in your life in order to live a life that succeeds. Now the questions is - what is success for you? What is your standard? In my mind what is needed is a definite target - because you can't hit and maintain a moving target. A stable, rock-solid, anchor with no variable, yet multi-faceted. Something pure, just and worthy. If you look at any web page of news you can see that our society is certainly lacking in this area. What a great time to live as a rebel! Nowadays to be a rebel, all you have to do is be willing to engage in the battle of life, while anchored to Christ!