River of Memories

Sometimes when I sit beside the river, my mind goes back to my youth. I was about six years old when I started fishing on the river with my grandparents. I learned all the best fishing spots. Most of them I caught at least one fish in those places even on off days. I can still remember the joy of that jerk on the line and the fight as I brought him in. There was one favorite spot just on a curve. The water was kind of swift there and a huge tree had fallen out over the water. I would walk out on that log and drop my line there in the water where it was a little swift. I didn't miss a fish there too many times. There was another place just behind my grandads pond that was a favorite place to swim. His pond was down back of his field and we would drive down there with a mule and wagon. I was the only girl in the younger family members. Sometimes Sunday was haircutting day for the boys. I could go in the water when we got to the swimming place but the boys had to get their hair cut first and then go in the river. My grandad would cut hair and then the boys could go in the water and wash the hair off. Sometimes being the only girl in the family has its advantages. Those were fun times on the river. Over the years the river has changed. I doubt I could find any of my favorite places anymore. Most of them are not accessable anymore anyway. The land is owned by other people. But in my mind those places never change, they will always be there. The river has always been a place of peace for me. Maybe because it was always such a part of my life. There's so much of those times I miss. I don't know much of it anymore and I wish I did.

hugs, neon_sapphire