What Do We Really Know About Our Parents?
Last night I turned on the TV and searched for something interesting to watch. I came upon a show on VH1 called "The Drug Years" which was a documentary on drug effects on society in the 1960s and 70s. More specifically the documentary touched on two drugs, one was LSD or acid (the psychedelic movement) and the second was marijuana.
In the late 1960s and early 70s the epicenter of the psychedelic/marijuana movement was the Haight/Ashbury area of San Fransisco. It spawned amazing artists such as the Grateful Dead, Jimmie Hendricks, The Doors, Pink Floyd and Janice Joplin even Simon and Garfunkel had a hit song for the movement called "San Francisco". As I watched the documentary I began to wonder, "What do I really know about my parents?"
"The Summer of Love" was in 1967 and my Dad was 21 years old and my Mom was 18, they were single and in the prime of their young adult lives. My Aunt KathyKathleen and my Uncle Fred have often referred to my mother as the wild child or party girl and I have heard stories that my dad once had a roommate that was a marijuana dealer. I have even seen photos of an old Volvo my father owned that had flowers painted on it but that is as far as the story goes. ZERO details are given. Is there a rule/conspiracy that children are to never know the details of their parents lives before they had children? I find it hard to believe that my father who supposedly has never smoke a cigarette has never toked on a joint or that my mother who loves Simon and Garfunkel never took a walk on the other side with some mind altering drugs and perhaps it is this exact mind altering experience that drives her need to be artistic.
My parents married in 1971 and three years later on July 28th (like how I worked my upcoming birthday in?) I came into the picture and four years after that my brother John was born. They now lead ultra conservative lives but they lived the prime of their life in a very interesting period of time and I am willing to bet there is a story to be told. Maybe it is not a pot smoking, acid dropping, free love type of story but I am sure they have a story to tell.
posted by Jen @ 1:59 PM
8 Comments:
That was a good one! I grew up in the 60s and 70s and remember some of that time you are mentioning. I have never had an illegal substance, even though I had many occasions to partake in the 70s. Today, a good margarita or two is all I need for a good relaxation. (Make it frozen with salt around the rim.) Thinking about your Mom does indeed bring to mind someone who may have once sewn some wild oats. Her current artistic endeavors probably give her the same high as many would get from some premium marijuana. But I can see beyond her art and what I find is a wild and crazy girl. If she were not wild and crazy, how in the world could she come up with those zany stocking stuffers at Christmas? Please consider posting a blog about your memories of Aunt Kathy. For me, that would make for some extra juicy reading material.
XXOO,
Uncle Mikey
Nice try Jen but you pretty much know the whole boring story. If you are comparing me to Aunt Kath and Uncle Fred then by all means I was the "wild child". That is not to say much but I do have some good high school memories. It was mostly out of my system by the time I met your Dad who has never been anything but the straight arrow that you know. Actually, he is as wild now as he has ever been and I am loving that.
1963-1970 were some of the most memorable years in American history and we lived them them as teenagers and young 20's. We had a president assasinated, marched with our brothers and sisters for equal rights, tragically lost Bobby Kenedy and Martin Luther King and LSD ruined a lot of lives, some of which we knew. Our brothers and boyfriends were subject to a lottery for the Viet Nam War and there were daily threats on campus to burn down the ROTC building. Both Dad and i could get high just breathing the air in our campus houses but we focussed on each other and our studies and that is why you have such fine parents with two fine children, three grand cats and a dog.
i can't believe Uncle Mikey posted his comment while I was busy typing. There is no juicy material to post about Aunt Kath. Pass the margaritas.
I love it!! This is more than I ever expected to get out of this blog! Mom that was a funny comment to Uncle Mickey good job!
Oh, there are stories to be told. On, for and by all of us.
We all have stories and memories, good ones, sad ones, and thank God, hilarious ones. The thing is to cherish them and the people who shared in them. And to have no regrets.
Anytime you all want to gather on my balcony with a pitcher or two or 10 of margaritas and compare notes and make more memories, I'll buy a blender and put out the chairs. Kath
Getting the porch chairs and margarita glasses and blender and tequila for Kath's porch is NOT the problem. It's getting Jen here for the fun. She is TOO far away to make it happen as soon as I would like.
MJW
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