Yesterday, I got a text at 8 AM.
It said:
Do you remember making me a sugar mountain in college for my twentieth birthday? Doesn’t seem that long ago.
To which I responded:
Oh my gosh! I forgot about that!
I didn’t. I loved it. It’s a very clear memory.
I can’t believe your baby will be twenty today.
I know. I’m going to make him a sugar mountain.
This is making me cry.
Weird what things in life end up special memories. A paper cone with sugar packets stuck on it is forever in my memory and now (maybe) his. See what you did? You started a tradition. I’ll never forget that. Thank you.
I did, indeed, tape a piece of paper together to make a cone and staple sugar packets on it. Why? Because you can’t be twenty on sugar mountain. (Also, we loved Neil Young.) My best friend was leaving sugar mountain and I wasn’t. I wanted her to have a place she could return to if she wanted. That sculpture stayed up in our dorm room like a trophy for months.
I also unintentionally started a tradition. Yesterday, twenty-three years later, she made a sugar mountain for her son.
It isn’t always the big things (weddings, funerals, et al.) that make memories. You never know what will stay with someone, what will become a cherished memory. Sometimes it’s the smallest acts, the simple stapling of sugar packets to a paper cone.
Her last text message said:
Your boys are still there. I’ll remember to send them sugar mountains.
My random thoughts in 200 words or less.
(Excluding the texts—which I’m not counting. Yes, I’m cheating.)
This has to be the sweetest thing I’ve read all day, no, this year and the pun while intended is also, I hope you know, well intentioned. *wipes little tear, snuffles, crashes computer, puts keyboard in rice bath*
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Thank you so much, Geoff. I truly appreciate your comment. As soon as I saw the text, I was flooded with images of that silly sculpture in our dorm room. The son she made it for…I was with her in the hospital when he was born. ❤ Double whammy.
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Wow… I don’t have kids, and I don’t remember my 20th birthday. (I’m sure it was nice, but specifics? Nope. Not one.) And still, this made me teary.
Also, I know from experience that this is an earworm that will be with me for DAYS. And I’m okay with that. Thank you. 🙂
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Yup. I’ve been singing it all weekend. It could be worse. 🙂
I don’t remember details of my 20th, either. It’s one of those things. You know, “those” things.
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This was a sweet post! You are such a thoughtful person. I love these posts!
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Aw. Thanks! 🙂 This was a surprise text, that’s for sure, but I’m so happy she remembered this and passed it on. Also, so glad you liked it.
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I would love to see a picture of a sugar mountain. It sounds like a ton of fun. It is so true what you say about memories, and who knows why some stay and some fade away. How lovely that this one stayed with your friend and has been reignited for you. 🙂
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We didn’t have digital when I went to college and I have very few photos. It looked just like I described it — really, not very pretty. I’ll try to get a photo of the one my friend made for her son, though. (Keep in mind, neither of us is very crafty.) I am so happy that she reminded me of this. 🙂
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It sounds fabulous. You don’t have to be crafty. It doesn’t have to be beautiful. It’s the thought that counts. Your friend obviously treasured the thought, as her son will too. 🙂
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So heartwarming, Sarah. I love how a small detail forms the landscape of a rich memory.
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Beautifully said. Yes. You never know. Something so small can form a powerful, lasting memory.
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You’re so right — it’s the little things, the meaningful acts understood by each person, the sharing. Wow. Great post!
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Thanks, Charli. 🙂
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I am crying now too…Sarah, this is just beautiful ❤
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Thank you, Sherri. ❤
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Awww. That is nice! Good job at starting a sweet tradition. 🙂
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Har. 😉 I know. It’s so cool.
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I love that, when a person touches another in such a way that lives are changed forever. =)
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Isn’t that awesome? You never know what’s going to stay with someone.
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