By Cathy Jameson

Remember when… that’s the name of an online page I like to visit.  It’s full of memories from a small town where I used to live a long time ago.  Many of the topics are of the original settlers to the area and their descendants.  I’ve learned about which families came first, which businesses they opened, and which ones still exist decades and decades later.  Even though I only lived there for 4 years, this place will always have a very special place in my heart.  I cherish friendships made and am very grateful to still be in contact with friends so many years later. 

Being a military brat, I’d get to know the people and the surrounding places we’d move to, and then a few years later, we’d move miles and miles away.  That was life, and it’s all I knew.  I love getting to peek at the past in these Remember when… stories because many of the original families, too, traveled a great distance to set up residence.  The difference is that they never left. 

Some of the recent photos that were recently shared on the page are of the original town library, the original school, some of the first teachers, one whose name now adorns a new multi-level, multi-grade, tech savvy building.  Last week someone shared photos of what the original playgrounds included - swings, a very tall metal slide, and an intricate set of monkey bars that would likely never be allowed on certain properties these days.  

I remember when I used to play at those kinds of playgrounds, when I walked to those smaller schools, and when there were truly only a handful of students who needed educational supports.  These days, so much more support seems to be required, and not just at school.  We see that being offered in grocery stores, shopping centers and movie theatres in the form of sensory-friendly activities, with recognizing emotional support animals, and with the addition of para-professional assistance.  I’m not saying any of that is a terrible thing; it’s that it’s increased astronomically since I was a kid playing on death-defying playgrounds in small towns in the south.

I remember when kids had more time to just be a kid and to explore. 

I remember when teachers only had to teach those kids, not teach to a test, as some most, while fearing for their lives because of school violence.  

I remember when doctors were respected and worked with parents, not against them as I experienced when my children were younger.

I remember when things were so much simpler!  Of course, I was a child when things were really
simple.  Times have really changed across-the-board and in so many aspects since then.  It’s good to talk about what we remember, which is why I love logging in and seeing new posts on Remember when…

 It’s good to see the past and to also yearn for it. 

It’s good to see who the pioneers were. 

It’s good to know their stories and to want to honor their lives and their work ethic. 

We each have our own stories, and many have shared their own Remember when… stories here.  They’ve written about what was and what changed.  That’s what brought me here and why I still share bits and pieces of what life was like for us before Ronan got sick and what life is like for him now. 

What brings you here?  What brings you back each week?  Is it something that makes you Remember when…?  I hope whatever the reason may be is one that gives you hope, peace and maybe a little bit of happiness.

Cathy Jameson is a Contributing Editor for Age of Autism. 

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