As I get older and further and further from my youth, I find myslef taking little " mental " trips back to those special years.

One warm summer night not too long ago I took one of those journeys.

I traveled back to a warm summer evening over 30 years ago. An evening just before we went our seperate ways. To a dimly lit park ,walking along in a light summer evening breeze with a special young lady. Not my first lady friend but as it would turn out, my fist love.

We were walking hand in hand. We walked and talked and laughed as only two 18 year old kids can.

We stopped and hugged, and played without a care in the world. I took her in my arms and we kissed as only two 18 year old kids can.

If I had known how special those days were and that we would grow up and those days would end. I would have held her closer and a little longer.

I can still feel her soft warm cheek pressed against mine her warm breath and the beating of our hearts.

After that kiss, just reamaining close and looking into her eyes and catching the gentle fragrance of her hair.

So as I left that park and those lovely memories of years gone by, I thought to myself. If had just one one wish, I would wish for just one more kiss !

I believe that is a very popular wish.

"One More Day" -- Rascal Flatts (Country)

One more day
One more time
One more sunset baby
I'd be satisfied
But then again
I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still
for one more day with you

man those word just stook in my head for some reason, I for one am afraid of growing old, I wish I weren't but I am.......

Bronxite asked about growing older. Are we growing old or just growing older is the real question we all face as life slips by. This forum offers an opportunity to think about days gone by--old or older? Since the title of the Forum is "Bronx Romance," I can't help but remember my first "true"love, at the young age of 16, and a young Puerto Rican girl named Olga Hernandez. Over the years, at moments such as this, I have wondered how she was doing, and prayed that life was going well for her. That was back in the mid-50's. Would I like to go back? No. It was a long time ago in a land far away. Time seems to be going by quickly, but, do I feel a lot older? Not really. I am living a very different life today, one that is certainly better, with a lovely wife (my very best friend and soulmate), wonderful children and precious grandchildren. I can honestly say, life was good growing up in The Bronx--most of us on this Forum probably feel that way or we wouldn't be on this Forum--and the experience of "growing up" in The Bronx at that particular time, is one I wouldn't change even if I could. It is a time of fond memories worth remembering. But, life is so much better today in so many ways. The Bronx stays with us as a place of memories. Most people on this forum have left The Bronx--some for job opportunities; others for a better place to raise kids, as The Bronx was undergoing a time of dramatic change. It is no longer the place we left, and I doubt if many would be willing to go back; but, it is part of who we are. The experience of growing up in The Bronx helped shape us, and we are who we are today, because of it. And for that very reason, The Bronx truly lives on in each of us.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: John Beauman,

Hi again, Yvonne,
The memories we cherish should be the ones that give us a warm glow...and a fondness for living. Not that we would go back to yesteryear, even if we could, but, it's nice to remember the things and experiences that helped shape us. It also makes us appreciate life that much more, because those memories are part of our life, and part of who we are, today. Bad memories also have a profound affect and may stay with us for a long time. "They are" part of our life journey--and we can and should learn from them. Yvonne, bad memories and bad experiences do not make us bad people. They can have the opposite affect, because in remembering, we can strive for something better--and that in itself is a blessing. Strive for something better. Use the memories of bad experiences as a springboard to something better for tomorrow! I truly wish you the very best that life has to offer. And I am confident that you can reach it--God speed!

My first "girl" was Diane Scognamiglio from the apartment across the street. Our first date was the Friday bingo at St.Angela's church. WAlked all the way there (from gerard Ave) and back. No worries about being mugged back then (late 50's)