My Happiest Memory

My Happiest Memory      Want to read this in a different language ? Change the TO field to your own country and click the TRANSLATE button after going HERE Press CTRL = (equals) to increase the page size and CTRL - (minus) to decrease the page size MY HAPPIEST MEMORY © November 2013 Written by David Wicker Please do not reprint without permission * * * This story is Rated: EVERYONE With winter finally coming on, I thought I would share with you one of the happiest stories and memories I have ever had with my Dad. Yes, it is especially with the holidays that you notice the absence of your loved ones and I am no different than you. I " miss them " terribly. And sometimes being reminded of the happier times with those who are no longer with us does help. My Step-Mother had sent me a copy of what I wrote that I was to speak at the Memorial service for my Father who passed away a few years ago. I don’t think " anyone was really prepared for the event, and because the memorial service was done rather hurriedly, it was never actually spoken during the service. She Emailed me this so I’d like to share it with you now as it truly is today one of my happiest memories. Thought you could use some Happy Memories today. I saved this ‘Poem’ that you wrote. Did you get my postcard of snow in the Montana mountains?  Try to remember the good times. Love, Dottie The message is as follows and was what I wanted to have spoken at the Memorial Service I attended but because there was confusion as to the arrangements, it never was: One of the happiest memories I’ve had alone with my Dad was when I was 10 years old and when Dad first bought the T.R.S. 80 computer around Christmas time. I was already interested in LED calculators, and Dad dropped the bomb and bought a real computer for all of us to play with. Now there was one day when Emma, my sister, 14, was having a sleepover with Melanie I believe and one program, both me and Dad spent serious time on in her absence was one that put the words of Robert Frost on the screen and random dots around it to signify snow. I read the code from a long wide-angled book for beginning programmers of T.R.S. 80, and Dad typed out what I read out loud. When we finally ran it bug free, it did indeed put the poem on the screen, pausing for a bit between paragraphs to plot random “snow” dots. Then both me and Dad were anxiously looking at the screen.   The words were: “Whose woods these are I think I know - his house is in the village, though. He will not see me stopping here - to watch his wood fill up with snow.” “My little horse must think it queer - to stop without a farmhouse near. Between the woods and frozen lake - the darkest evening of the year.” “He gives his harness bells a shake - to ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound’s the sweep - of easy wind and downy flake.” “The woods are lovely, dark, and deep - but I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep - and miles to go before I sleep …” After we read this, Dad then got up from his chair, turned off =ALL= the lights in the house and went back to where the display and me were, smiled, and we watched blocky pixeled snow fill up the screen, it was on its last routine in an infinite loop, and the only light in the house now. After several minutes of silence in watching this, Dad took his hand in mine, and told me a story like we were at a campfire, of the snow he grew up with, how deep and big it was, and how he carried cords of heavy firewood for his own Father in foot-thick snow at sub-zero temperatures. He then gave me a big long hug, and turned back on the lights. I watched the screen a little longer, and then I vowed on that day that Snow and Snowflakes were indeed the most magical thing in all the world ... Return back HOME   You are Earth Visitor #

Reviews

[Baban.A.A]

it was a very tranqual, quiet, and yet warm memory. I could feel it believe me as if I were you, I do feel sorry for anyone who is bereaved; including you. he may rest in heaven. I do like his characteristics, he seemed more as an ideal father. thanks alot for sharing this, and you are right I also believe snow and snowflakes are among the most magical things that are as pure as they should be from heaven itself. thanks again.

[dw817]

He had faults - all humans do. But I have to give him a firm handshake and sincere pat on the back for raising me and my sister in absence of Mom who went galavanting off with other guys - despite being married. I was very young when this happened but OH do I remember the arguments, the yelling. Me crying cause I knew something was wrong but was too young to understand.

Then later - well ... all behind me now I guess. Christmas is coming up tho. I know it will be considerably more difficult to go through another year without him. Especially around the holidays do you start to remember whom you've loved and is no longer with you ...

[Baban.A.A]

I never knew beyond such an interesting, lovely, beloved, kind, generous,+ all the good adjectives person like you, there was such a tough, unbearable, hard childhood, I do feel sorry, not as feeling pitty or sentimental, no, but I wish you could have a better life, but thanks God, now you are a very kind, and really good person, I cann't judge you while I don't know you, but your words represent you, and all your words are great and friendly to me. I hope, I really do, that your future will shine and bear down as the sun's ray at daybreak which alight the darkness of night. I hope all the best wishes to you, I also have loved ones who just passed away and in these times and occations I miss them too. thank you very much, I hope you will never suffre again from anything in life.

[dw817]

I have a few more definite and certain sufferings I will need to face in time. Perhaps 5-10 years from now. But during those years I hope to make the best of it.

Thanks for your kind words, Baban. :)

[Prime]

This is moving. How I wish I had a dad like that. :(

[dw817]

You don't have a Dad ? What happened ?

[Prime]

Haha. Nevermind. Long story. :D

[dw817]

Well OK, maybe you'll let me know sometime ? I tell myself I'm in a terrible place without my Dad anymores - and yet - do I consider the people who have never had a Dad at all.

No, I haven't, and perhaps I should to put things in perspective.

[Prime]

We'll see. ^^

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

Thank you for sharing us this personal piece. It was very moving and heartbreaking. Really.

But I don't know your name yet. And your age. And your living. Ugh. Please tell me more about who you are. :)

[dw817]

Hi Blue. That's quite a bit you are asking ! :)
Well, my name is David, last name the same as my Dad's. I'm 46 and - I'm living pretty well I would say.
There's a recent photo of me HERE,
http://bit.ly/1aBlkgO
The blog to this found HERE,
http://bit.ly/1hBeC4j
And my initial online profile found HERE,
http://bit.ly/1hBeG3L

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

Thanks, David! I had always thought you are a teenager like me, judging from your choice of avatar. Haha. Thank you so much for the information.

Anyway, you don't look forty-ish. :)

[dw817]

Thanks but - I have a degenerative disease, similar to Kallman's syndrome, more related to Anageria, that prevents puberty, giving me a boyish look. It has serious side effects, however, including physical abnormalities in the brain, causing hallucinations and - well - not growing up emotionally I guess. I'll be seeing a Dr the rest of my life.

I suppose I could write a book on how many people thought I was a genius back in high school merely because I looked younger, when in fact I was the same age as them - and that too had terrible consequences with bullies.

Perhaps I was smarter in some things, yet - as I wrote one time. I'm not more intelligent - I just stick with the problem longer. :)

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

Ohh, David... I don't know what to respond. But thank you so much for telling this to me. Yes, of course you are smart. Your stories here are interesting and publishable. Though I have to apologize for not reading the chapters you have sent. I am busy with school and work and all that and novels or long stories in this site don't appeal to me as much.

Best wishes to you, David! :)

[dw817]

Schoolwork is considerably more important. As someone once mentioned, you take life with a slice of lemon. :7

[Avinash]

I feel the big soul in this short story. A good father is always a giver, of life, of wisdom and of happiness and good son, who cherishes every memory...:)

[dw817]

Thanks, Avinash. I dreamed about him again last night. And it rapidly turned into a nightmare. Running. Constantly running. Trying to get away. Some of these dreams I haven't posted nor have I really planned to.

Stirred embers from the campfire, always glowing, always active.

[Baby Ricochet]

Cute story bro. I don't know what my fondest fatherly memories are. I'd have to think about it a spell.

[dw817]

With all love and respect to you, Big Brother, I would have to say that your Father was more strict than mine. And - perhaps that is a positive trait in bringing up a son. My Dad if anything was a psychologist, Ph.D., and as such he taught me as he disciplined me, mediation and refletcion - to solve difficulties in my life.

As you have taken such a unique course in life of strength, resolve, and masculinity, I would suspect your Father was an immensely strong and proud man - and rightfully so.

[Marie]

It's no wonder you know so much about computers...I totally grew up without one.
I was born in Colorado, but haven't seen real snow in years...sounds beautiful...

[dw817]

Well now, Marie, Colorado was the =VERY= place I wanted to go - because of the snow. Aren't you surrounded by it ? That was where I wanted to move to.

[Marie]

I live in San Antonio, Texas now. We have maybe one week of winter every year.

[dw817]

Oh, you were born in Colorado. OK, I see. Yes, San Antonio is rather warm. :)

[Pryde Foltz]

David, thank you so much for sharing this memory with us all. It sounds to me you were blessed with wonderful father. A campfire story of extraordinary beauty.

[dw817]

Actually Dad was pretty extraordinary. He was awarded Parent Of The Year, Man Of The Year, started the Singles Scene magazine, was president of Parents Without Partners, launched SAM the monkey to the moon, developed a business model called GUTS - Grand Unified Theory Of Systems which introduced psychology into the workplace as Dad was a Ph.D. himself,
http://bit.ly/17EcWR4

As for me ? Well - I am all that you see. The only thing I think I did of real accomplishment was S2 - and that's a video-game engine - not really useful in the world today. Maybe the novel Barrier, but it's just a silly story about my past abuse in school with some sci-fi elements added.

Yes, he was a wonderful Father and I miss him deeply ...

[Pryde Foltz]

Thank you so much for sharing the way you do.

[dw817]

Sure. I guess one thing is good, whether you're a lighthouse like my Dad was or a flickering candle like me, we all still have a little light to share with others. :)

[Pryde Foltz]

It the darkest times a candle give both warmth and light.

[dw817]

Yah well I never asked to be a candle. I wanted to be a firetruck when I grew up. :)

[Pryde Foltz]

Hahahahahahahaha. There's still time.

[dw817]

My firehose is too small. :D

[Pryde Foltz]

Okeydokey..............

[Mark]

What a wonderful memory.. and it is tech to boot. I remember the TRS80 I never had one, I was a poor college student when they came out, but I spent time with a friend and eventually got a Commodore. not the 64, but the one before that.

Have you ever spent time in the snow? I think everyone should. I took my second daughter to Lake Tahoe for a weekend for her birthday. She and her friends got to ride a toboggan and make a snowman. It's a fond memory for me, and I hope for her as well.

[dw817]

I am =VERY= fond of the snow, Mark. used to go out barefoot in my undies in the backyard. Great stuff. I know I flopped down in the backyard one time and just watched it snow and snow and SNOW !

Finally I heard Dad yelling for me, I guess I fell asleep and it was cold and comfortable.

He saw me there and panicked, thought I hurt myself and was shaking me all over. Then he got mad and said, I thought you were in trouble, I said no, just watching the snow. He said never EVER do that again and, well he didn't want me going outside my undies again either, well, I guess I didn't, even when I got my own place.

Sometime I wanna try again tho. As far as making a sled goes, my sister made one with the runners accidentally on the inside - yah well she got confused and stuff, it happens.

Anyways, we tried it out and she said it won't go straight so she went back in.

Me ? I was a glutton for punishment. I tried it out on what we both called, "suicide hill." It was this big DEep hill that went straight down, and it was iced over solid.

I just HAD to try it. So I did. I got near the edge and it started sliding straight DOWN ! Then I started screaming cause it was scary ! I was skidding and rolling all over the place when suddenly *WHAM !*

I hit this metal sign of a, "For Lease" and bent it with my ribcage. I dragged the sled back up the hill and staggered inside in a lotta pain. Dad saw me and smiled and said, "What ? Are you tired of the snow already ?"

"Yeah." I groaned. He grinned, I think he knew what happened, then made me some hot cocoa. That was the first and last time I ever went sledding - but I still love snow, Mark. :7

[Mark]

It's funny how people who live in snow country talk like they hate it and so many people living where it rarely snows love it.

I'm no different, I was thrilled when I moved to California. No more snow!! but having been away from it for years, I really enjoyed it when I moved back to New Hampshire to live with my Dad a few years back. It's so peaceful... and like Earth's security blanket. Not sure how you could fall asleep in your underwear in it though!! Wow, that's a super power my friend!

[dw817]

I wear shorts through winter (much to the dismay of Chris). But - I've changed that and wear long pants now. I know it looks a little odd. I guess I've always been hot-blooded and can't feel the snow. :)

We get snow here in Fort Worth it is a pleasure and treasure to behold. I know that time we hadda blizzard a few years back I took no less than 100 photos of it just walking around and looking at stuff. It was amazing !

[Mark]

You should write to Stan Lee. You might be a celebrity. :) I agree about snow though, I think I have some pics on Facebook of the land around my father's place in the winter. It's magical, peaceful, and some how comforting.

[dw817]

My earliest comforting dream I posted in here was with my Guardian, and as you know - she is all about *WINTER*
http://bit.ly/181zMyI

Umm .. ?? Does Stan Lee wear shorts all year long and junk ?

[Mark]

You know who Stan Lee is right? The creator of most of the awesome superheroes? He had a show about real life super heroes... a guy who could eat glass and not cut up his insides.. a guy who felt no pain... stuff like that. http://www.history.com/shows/stan-lees-superhumans

[dw817]

Ohh ... you are referring me to lying in snow as a superpower. It's not that hard. Your body adjusts to everything, Mark. Yep, I know who Stan Lee is. Spiderman, Superman, all that coolio stuff. :)

[Mark]

Dude, I lived most of my life in cold climates. I don't know ANYONE who can lie in the snow in underwear and fall asleep!!

[dw817]

Now Mark, you are familiar with the Polar Bears Club ?
http://bit.ly/xNIPKX
http://bit.ly/aGdf

Once your body acclimates to the cold, it's really not so bad, and I've stepped out barefoot in my shorts in the snow on my patio many times now, even with the last frost. It's a matter of willpower, or, if you will, chillpower. :)

Sitting in snow is far easier than swimming in frozen waters which is what the Polar Bears Club does. And you have the added advantage of the incredible kaleidoscope of snow around you if you lay on your back in it and watch the sky as it comes down. It's really quite relaxing and a once-in-a-lifetime experience of incredible nature.

[Mark]

ya... and they come out shivering and in need of heat trust me. I've been there :P

[Mark]

and never knew any polar bear club member to fall asleep in it !!! :P

[Ilia Epifanov]

Thank you for sharing this! I can see it's a very intimate memory, and it was a pleasure reading!

[dw817]

Yep. I sometimes wonder what would've happened if I grew up with a Commodore 64 instead of a T.R.S. 80 (or as the guys at school called my computer the Trash 80). I know there was early telecommunication ability - likely I might've made some true friends then - hard to tell. :)

Thanks for the comment, Danny !

[Ilia Epifanov]

What can I say, I wasn't born yet at the time those machines were in stock)
My first encounter with a computer was when i was five or six, i think, so the year would be '97. My dad had a huge Dell laptop and there were some simple games installed. It was fun and we had good times with it, too.

[dw817]

Ah, those were the days, good ol' DOS games. Man I know there's a few today I sure would like to play but doubt XP would appreciate it much. :)

[Ilia Epifanov]

Maybe those are better left as memories) I've noticed this thing about games, if you run an old game of your youth today, all its charm will be gone. I did that a couple of years back and was disappointed to find out i wasn't enjoying it all that much, although i clearly remember having the time of my life when i was a kid playing them.
maybe it's because in our memories all our feelings, good and bad alike, are enhanced some, and repeating, reliving them is simply not possible

[dw817]

I doubt it would be so with me. If someone were to ask me what my favorite game for Windows is I would say ZSNES. If they asked what that was I would say a Super Nintendo emulator. Yep you can play all the SNES games flawlessly in any PC today, Win 3.1, 95, XP, 7, 8, Vista - even those that can't run Windows as ZSNES goes all the way back to DOS. :)

Being an avid video-game programmer and having accomplished writing a RPGMaker for the PC years ago - those old games and systems never lose charm with me and will always have a place in my keepsake heart. :)

[s y e]

This is a lovely little write David -- I love all the pictures. An amazing write, well done.

[dw817]

Well, you need to thank Robert Frost for the poem. Dad and me just typed out the code, it was called, "Lovely Winter" and one of the first programs me and him did on that T.R.S. 80 computer.

Back then those things were limited. This was a Model I, Level I, 4k audio-cassette. And despite these limitations I managed to write quite a few games on it. Even having the computer set up at Octoberfest and kids were playing games I wrote on it. Neat stuff !

[Ilia Epifanov]

That sounds very inspirational! People can create amazing things with very little, combining technology and poetry, for enstance, to creat something warm and dear to one's heart. That is great.

[dw817]

I - guess I have to ask Danny, have you written any software or video-games yourself, size and platform notwithstanding ? And if so, what was it ?

[Ilia Epifanov]

That's a no. There was an opportunity at one point to study programming, but it wasn't into that, still isn't. I could never make myself sit down and do all the tasks properly. It was and still is hard for me to concentrate on maths-related problems. Maybe they aren't entertaining enough for me, because I get annoyingly bored rather quick. I guess there's a lack of self discipline in play here, but I often find my mind rushing in every which way in creative bursts.
I like video games though and would like to participate at creating one someday. Although I see myself writing the script rather then it's code. Modern games are so complex, the scripts are very close to those of movies!

[dw817]

Ah, it's not hard. I could teach ya to write videogames really quickly. You might check out a programming language called GFA-Basic for Windows. It is mega-small, ultra-powerful, and super-quick. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone learning programming as it's help files give a working example program for EVERY single command. It also lets you abbreviate commands so you don't even have to type them. It's awesome !

But no - I can't keep up with modern video-games, both writing and playing. I would be old-skool, top-view tiled graphics, MIDI music, along the levels of Final Fantasy 1 through 6 for the NES and SNES. Raytrace stuff is beyond me.

[Ilia Epifanov]

That already sounds too complicated)
I think I'd better stick to words) I believe with enough practice and gained experience I'll be able to write quality video game scripts, even movie scripts some day. But there's still a lot to learn...

[dw817]

It's really a lot easier than you think. Here's a silly game for an early BASIC,

input"What's your name ?",A$
loop:
print"Well hello there, ";A$;"!"
print"Who is that standing next to you ?",A$
goto loop

If you have a party of people, it's a great way to get introduced. :)

[dw817]

Woop, my first error. Change the 2nd print to input. :D Part of the fun of programming is learning to do things the right way. It's good practice and improves your thinking skills in other areas too.