When Are We?

It’s 1989 again, and big hair rules the day. I hardly recognize myself but look, there I am. It’s me. I’m 31 and wrinkle-free. Check out my pink and blue plaid shirt with shoulder pads out to here. I’m a tiny line-backer with rosy cheeks and coiffed-up, fancy hair. Mousse much? Lacquer up with extra-hold? Why yes, as a matter of fact. I goop it up every day. Doesn’t everyone?

I’m in the living room of my parents’ condo, waiting for guests to arrive. That’s you on camera, hun, tilting it this way and that. Artsy balloon shots. Cupcakes from various angles. You’re making me dizzy, you know. Pull back. Keep it simple, if you can.

Now friends appear in the hallway, with precious babes in tow. Little ones crawl on the carpet, walk a few steps, plop back down. Some cuddle in blankets, suck on bottles and coo. Ah. Ambrosia.

The toddlers take turns on a rocking horse that’s not a horse at all. It’s a duck, that’s right. A duck. A rocking ducky is cooler than a horse. Spread the word. Remember that.

Oh, my God. There’s my mother. Look at her, so pretty at 62. Happy. Healthy. Full of life. Her hair short and stylish, too. There’s that laugh of hers. I miss it. It’s great to hear it once more. Been a while. Go back. Let me hear it again.

Hey, there’s my dad, working the room, cracking people up. There’s my grandma and who’s she talking to? Your grandma. Turn it up. What are they saying? Too much background noise? Too bad.

In the corner, there’s my cousin. My brothers. Your folks and brother. How thin he is. He’s got hair. All the men do. Look at our friends, hun. How they mingle… laugh… sip drinks. And whoa, check out the couples that didn’t stay married, in a time warp, back together again. Smiling, holding hands. How strange is that?

Now the room sings “Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to You.” All the people in our life, hun. The ones we lost. The ones still hanging around. Singing to our eldest boy. He’s chewing wrapping paper. Scooting on his butt. Our youngest son… where is he? Oh, right. He hasn’t been born.

Shut it off now, hun. That’s enough for today. Time travel takes its toll. Wherever it went makes me wonder. Any chance we can get it back?