Forest Park, St. Louis
Forest Park in St. Louis, Taken by J.D. Tarbox

Live & In Person - Memories of the New York World's Fair

NY World's Fair Unisphere
Figure 1The Flags of Many Nations stood like an honor guard on one side of the Unisphere. Image by Ron White (en.wikipedia ((redlink) Sup4141, 2007-12-08)) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

“It’s a world of laughter, a world of tears
It’s a world of hope and a world of fears
There’s so much that we share, that it’s time we are aware
It’s a small world after all”
(Fandom)

Can you hear it? The tune, the sound of happy children singing? I can. And the first time I did hear these upbeat words sung has become a very happy memory for me several decades later. A memory of a once in a lifetime experience that could never be duplicated by
mere image or video. A memory made by actually experiencing an event live and
in person. Something that is becoming all too rare in our 21st century small world.

The year was 1965. The occasion – a family trip to the New York World’s Fair.
Since we lived only about three hours north of New York City, everyone we knew
– family and friends alike – were all planning trips down to the Big Apple to
participate in this once-in-a-lifetime event. Our little family was no
exception…

Small Towns & Back Roads

The transformative journey of a closet cozy enthusiast...

Small Towns and Back Roads
Small Towns and Back Roads: small-village.jpg (1920×1440) (publicdomainpictures.net)

It started on a cold New England day in December about five years ago. The last grade was entered, the Christmas shopping was done, and the decorations were up. Feeling relieved at this, trust me, not a normal turn of events, I decided that I could take a few days off and enjoy the holidays before thinking of the next semester’s grind. And I would start by going to my favorite Barnes and Noble bookstore to treat myself. I planned on indulging in a hot gingerbread latte from the cafe while leisurely browsing through the books…oh yes, a perfect afternoon. Little did I know when I began my journey that late December morning, I would be opening myself up to what would become a transformative revelation about…well, me. An experience that brought me back to an earlier time of childhood memories, goals, and dreams as yet unfulfilled.