Thoughts Of Branson ~

You and I have memories longer

 than the road that stretches out ahead...

Branson, MO is never far from my thoughts, and 

these past 2 weeks it was even more so.  We were so close
yet so far from Branson. I am missing it right now 😢.

 Branson kept me going in one of the most difficult times

 in my life.  Brutus died and staying busy like we did in

 Branson was the best remedy ever.  I miss it.

Sniff had a great time there.  The birds, the squirrels

 and the deers kept him happy and busy also.  He loved

 his window by my home office.  I miss it today.

I love where we are right now, but every so often 

Branson and the time we had there pops up.  The people,

 the place everything makes it unforgettable for me.

We all love a good trip down memory lane and 

yesterday was that day for me. Sometimes all it 

takes is a familiar smell or a certain taste to evoke an 

old memory, making you feel like you are back in 

time in that moment where it was created 😃.

Thank you for the memories.  I cherish all of it. 

Life brings tears, smiles, and memories. The tears dry,

 the smiles fade, but the memories last forever...

~Nadiya~

Looking Back ~

You and I have memories longer than

 the road that stretches out ahead...

My time working with New York City EMS

 was one of the best times of my life.  Back them

 life was exciting.  I was young and unafraid.

  I'm still unafraid today, older also.

Below are some of the many

 memories I will forever treasure:

Back then my name was Nadiya Singh Riley.  

The cops had a ball with it.  They used to say I 

must be one of those dark Irish people.

My partners were all Irish and the most fun girls

 I have had the pleasure of knowing.  Jennifer the

redhead was a menace with the ambulance.  

She dared herself and everyone else at all times.  

We drove light and sirens at every call.  Even when it was 

not necessary.  Those who know New York, know the streets

 are very narrow.  Lets say many side were knocked out.

When I lived in California I briefly worked for EMS

 as well, but in California it was not as interesting 

or exciting as in NYC.  I did not stay long.

With all this time on my hands, I have been going 

through pictures.  Pictures that take me back to what 

seems like another life time.  Memories, good and

 not so good, but they are what has shaped my life.

The above is from my days in New York.  In my

 free time I was lucky to have been given permission

 to take shooting lessons in the Federal Courthouse.  Same

place the US Marshals did their practice.  I have enjoyed 

life, and I still do.  Today I continue to do so with Arvid.

To all a very good day.  Memories sometimes are a 

welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.

No one can ever take your memories

 from you - each day is a new beginning, 

make good memories every day...

~Nadiya~

Flashback..

That random flashback which brings back painful

memories and breaks your heart all over again...

Last night I had a dream.  When I woke up this morning, I had forgotten all about it.

As I was having breakfast, I suddenly got flashbacks of my dream.

Nothing I could really piece together.  Just little details of people laughing and

vague images.  Struggle as I did, I was never able to recall much of the

dream, all I know was that it left me feeling sad.

I then got caught up in many other things forgetting all about the dream.

After lunch, I was doing the stuff again.  Suddenly I get the flashback again.

This time I was able to "see" a little more of the dream.  Why was I suddenly sad?

I really don't know.  I can't explain it, but for some reason my eyes started tearing up.

Before I knew it I was crying, and even though I tried to remember more, 

nothing came to me.  California brought back many memories.

 What I did remember was a house, a backyard with flowers.  I also

saw a man.  Not very tall.  Well dressed, big smile, very blue eyes

and most of all I remember a head full of blond hair glistening like gold.

I knew him.  At least I did in another lifetime.  I tried to talk

to him.  To make him look at me, but he did not recognize me.

I cried even more the second time.

The present and the past coexist, 

but the past shouldn't be in flashback.

Wishing you all good times.  Memories are life's way

of always keeping loved ones in our hearts.  Of cherishing what 

is most precious to us.  They are forever with us.  Guess we are lucky.

Goodbye Califorina.  It was a short visit, but I accomplished what I needed to.
Now it's time to head back home to Brutus and stay there forever.  Right now 
I don't want to ever travel again.  Just stay put at home

When someone you love become a memory, 

that memory becomes a treasure.

~Nadiya~