Events That Shape Us

I do a lot of driving for my job as a sales rep. I cover the whole state of Iowa. In less than 2 years, I have managed to put 60,000 miles on my car.

I discovered audio books on my first solo vacation after the split with my ex-husband when I drove from Des Moines to Pittsburgh. “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” kept me more awake than the upbeat CD’s I’d made myself.  Don’t make fun. I wanted something lighthearted and fun, and got it. I even listened to it again on the way home since I hadn’t thought I would get through the whole thing on the way there.

I’ve now discovered, thanks to my great friend, Ninya, the Overdrive app. I can now listen to books without switching CD’s by just downloading digital copies of audio books from the Cedar Falls Public Library right to my iPad. This way I can continue listening in my home as well, instead of sitting out in my car to see what happens next.

I've been listening to “Girls in White Dresses” by Jennifer Close. It’s a story of a few friends who, while dealing with their own heartbreak, career choices, and family pressures, have to attend endless rounds of weddings and bridal showers. At one wedding, one of the main characters’ boyfriends tells her his friend is dating someone who could be JonBenét all grown up. Her last name is never used, but anyone who lived through that gruesome event just KNOWS who the author is talking about. Over and over, the name JonBenét is used, as the character can't even remember this girl's real name. It got me thinking about all the things that happen during our lifetime, and how just one word or image can trigger certain memories.

So here are some words or phrases that are memory triggers from events during my lifetime. For some of these, you only need one word, and your mind fills in the rest. You think about where you were when you heard. You think about how old you were and how times have changed, or haven't changed. Some of these are heart wrenching tragedies and others are odd news stories that spread across the world or even scientific accomplishments. If you are close to 40 and older, you should know what every single one of these means. 

Challenger

“If the gloves don’t fit, you must acquit!”

9/11 (even when this score innocently comes up in volleyball)

Chernobyl

Berlin Wall

Exxon Valdez

Cold War

Waco

Lorena Bobbitt

Mad Cow

Unabomber

Princess Diana

Y2K

Columbine

John Hinckley Jr.

NASA Rover

Katrina

Virginia Tech

I’m sure this list is missing MANY events and that there are events closer to home that shape us even more, like the death of a loved one, or meeting that special someone you want to spend the rest of your life with, birth of a child, injury from serving our country, etc. The above named events are somewhat universal. Even if they only happened in America, the story spread further. It was odd to me when I mentioned the Exxon Valdez to my oldest child (thought I don't quite remember why), and he had no idea what I was talking about. I’m used to people knowing. But he hasn't learned it in school yet, and it didn't happen in his lifetime.

What are some events that impacted your life?