When I was a kid, we owned various models of black and white televisions over the years. In fact, we never had a color television until the last black and white one died. My father always fixed the television on the kitchen table when the tubes blew and then it was back to business! One of those crusty old models stands out in my mind quite well. It was tall and brown- a laminated wood sort of look-and it stood on four legs. The screen-when not on-was a murky green.
So there I was one night back in 1965, sitting on the floor with my trusty yellow blanket and my footie pajamas watching the Art Linkletter Show. My mom was in the kitchen and my brother was elsewhere in our tiny ranch house. I was four years old and a very happy camper until suddenly the screen went blank and the house was encased in total darkness. Needless to say, I completely freaked out and ran to get my mom, leaving my blanket behind. A second panic ensued once I did because I thought I lost my blanket! ( I totally identify with Linus, by the way). When I finally settled down, we found my brother, some candles and a flashlight. My younger brother did not seem at all bothered by the turn of events. In fact, he appeared oblivious to the situation while I was totally anxious. My mother sat us down at the kitchen table by candlelight and served us some butterscotch pudding. I had no appetite so my little bro helped himself to a second serving with great relish. I am not sure if I was worried because we were in the dark or because I had nearly lost my precious blanket! In any case, there was really nothing we could do so my mom sent us all (including herself) to bed. I was having none of sleeping by myself so my mom put me in with my brother in his bed ( we both had full sized) and then she joined us in the middle. I still was not satisfied and insisted that we keep the flashlight on. I can still picture it now: the three of us snug in the big bed with the big black flashlight standing upright on my brothers dresser-a beacon of hope and comfort.
(This early recollection was an actual event: The Great Blackout of 1965.)
Many thanks once again to Kellie Elmore who always has a way for us to show our creative selves at their best.
http://kellieelmore.com/2013/06/07/fwf-free-write-friday-time-place-scenario-5/
Building A Life Of Hope 
Wonderful memory, and a great take on the prompt. Thanks for letting us in! (I’m gonna go find my flashlight now.)
Oh thanks! I always keep one by my bed, just in case!
Great take on the prompt, I remember the excitement of blackouts as a child, this FWF brought it back to me.
Thank you! And my poor mom was on her own for two days because my dad was away on business-totally unaffected my the event. I am glad it brought back memories for you. 🙂
A lovely memory… I used to love blackouts and still do…it has been a while but the last one we played charades by torch and candle light… with no television it was one of the best nights. I just loved this, thank you!
Thank you! And I am glad that it made you think of your own positive experiences with outages. It must have been a blast playing charades with shadows dancing on the walls!
Great writing of a memory. You made it live for me too.
Many thanks! And the fact that the words made it come alive for you makes me happy. Did you know that the event was inspiration for the old Bee Gees tune “Massachusetts?” (Not sure if you are old enough to know that but thought I would share that tidbit!)
It’s fascinating how memories of some event can stay imprinted in your mind forever. I find the reference to the blanket quite humorous 🙂
I agree! I had that blanket until I was nine years old. Somehow my mom got a hold of it, washed it and then it disappeared…
I always found it to be exciting when the lights went out. Loved it when we were all sitting around in dim candlelight. Good story! Very nostalgic!
Here’s my late entry: http://charleslmashburn.wordpress.com/2013/06/08/daydream-believer/
Thank you Charles! I am glad that you enjoyed it. I guess I am old enough to be nostalgic now!
If you grew up watching Yaz, then, um, yes, you’re old enough to be nostalgic! 🙂 No, really, 🙂
Charles chose the word…nostalgic. It reminded me of my first memory of watching tv…it was President Reagan and he was making a speech of some sort. I just remember looking around the room at everyone so intently focuses and thinking “whats going on”. I was real young.
Anyway, great story! 🙂 Thank you.
I have gotten such a great response to the story! I am happy that so many people are able to make a personal connection to it!
As always, thanks for the prompt! 🙂
We won’t go how far back TV nostalgia is for me…but I could so totally relate to the feeling being suddenly in complete darkness. I probably would have sat still screaming my head off being too chicken to move!!! Great read:)
HA! HA! I am so glad that you enjoyed my story!
Nice memory! I love the way Kellie Elmore brings that out of us! Although you did not partake, at least you had pudding to smooth things over, 🙂
That was my mom! Always ready with a little something sweet! Thanks for enjoying the story!
I think it’s so much fun when the lights go out! Until an hour or so has passed! I laughed where you said your Mom put herself to bed – I’d be pushing for that option while I’m sure my kids would want to stay awake!
So true! Many thanks for letting me share a precious memory.