today Brooklyn is a beautiful, devastating autumn. it’s a beauty that comes and goes.

on the street where I live there’s an old church that glows with the sound of October’s bells. I bike past it every day on my way to the donut shop where I work. (is it called the Doppler effect when a sound fades and its pitch drops as you move farther away? I kinda sucked at physics even though it was one of my favorite classes.)

soon enough everything I cherish about fall will drift farther and farther away.

nothing remains the same after a certain point—except in moments of forgetfulness when memory and life seem to go their separate ways.

at the memory center where I help out, life follows a simple, comforting routine. the people there seem content with fewer things—less interested in experiences like visiting new places or hitting clubs after 11 pm. yet every day brings familiar joys: a morning walk, biscotti with coffee, lunch at 11 am, and gathering at 4 pm to hear songs they once knew by heart.

as memory fades, appreciating the present moment can mean more than we realize.

last week, Renée from the center requested an old song she used to know all the words to when she was a girl. I wanted to learn it for her, so I found it on Spotify and came up with my own version. here’s the iPhone recording from yesterday:

21 responses to “just walk away”

  1. Willie Torres Jr. Avatar
    Willie Torres Jr.

    What a Wonderful Post. I love how you capture the bittersweet nature of autumn and memory.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. o, thank you, I’m so happy you liked it.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Willie Torres Jr. Avatar
        Willie Torres Jr.

        You are very welcome.

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  2. simple does it best, I think …
    change … even when the cycle is somewhat known…is difficult most times…🤍
    to better , Cookie ( though technically speaking, I can’t see it in Winter approaching lol 😋 )

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  3. Autumn is such a glorious season. The colours are magical. You’ve written with such descriptive fluidity here cookie. The love you have for certain themes in life always word flow easily when written with passion. I was picking up terracotta ash keys from under the trees on the main walk into the town centre last week. It’s those little moments in time that stay forever. As you have given us descriptively here. A scenario of gentleness in activities surrounding your days.

    The song is played and sung beautifully cookie. A 60’s song written by a young 16 or 17 year old I believe. It meant so much to many people of all ages back then. My aunty had it playing on the Dansette often. Renee and The Tremeloes ‘Silence is Golden’ have chased down into my neural keepsakes in remembering my visits there at my Nan’s house. The song presented to the lady requesting it was a treasure of a gift. And now for us too. Thanks for sharing cookie. And good fortune in all you do.

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    1. I was so happy to learn about this song, it’s really beautiful — and kind of tough to get through in places, especially with Renee sitting a few feet away. they all look at me there like I’m their long-lost grandchild, which at once feels really good and really sad. thank you, Gray. x

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      1. I can understand the perceived vulnerability cookie. The ‘please don’t mess this up’ in your mind scenario. So important for Renee. Thing is, the guys and girls, who are pretty close to my age now, are always going to throw massive enveloping good-will hugs of support your way. They love every act of someone giving time and gifting something unique and that isn’t a pair of socks wrapped up in a box with a shiny bow. I had it when playing songs in the hospital. It’s always a morning/afternoon of wonderful moments for you and them to share. Priceless cookie.

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  4. I imagine the leaves starting to turn as you bike by the church. 🍁🍂⛪️ I can see simple routines being helpful for people losing their memory.
    I’ll check out your song after work.

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  5. You’re an angel for fulfilling Renee’s request. From what I’ve read and seen, musical therapy can greatly benefit those in memory care, especially familiar songs. Bless you for doing that. 🌼 “a beautiful, devastating autumn. it’s a beauty that comes and goes” would describe my autumn day in Oregon. 🍁 Thank you for the touching share, cookie.

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    1. hi Michele! I hope you’re enjoying Oregon. I’d love to visit someday. at the memory center, I often feel like the people there are looking after me. we’re all supporting one another in some way. thank you for stopping by. I look forward to hearing more about your adventures soon.

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      1. Good morning cookie! A lovely visit, thank you. Just in from a long walk through a foggy morning. 🥰 I love it! Will share some photos in a bit. I understand what you mean about the two-way support. Sometimes it can just be a smile and a twinkle in the eye. Life-affirming. I hope you are doing well, and I do hope you are able to travel west someday.

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  6. Lovely post, Cookie! It’s always a joy to read your stories. This point in particular touched my heart, “as memory fades, appreciating the present moment can mean more than we realize.” Maybe because I am already on this phase 😉 Thank you for being you and sharing your experiences and gifts with all of us. Sending you lots of light and blessings, my friend*

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    1. I love when you visit, Susana. thank you for your blessings and kindness. x

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  7. “nothing remains the same after a certain point—except in moments of forgetfulness when memory and life seem to go their separate ways.” so true Cookie.. Love that you are helping out which is so lovely and the familiarity of you being there for them can’t be underestimated. What a gift. Lovely song and so special for your friend. 🤗💗

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    1. they have a special place in my life and heart. the new friends I have made here, too. ♥️

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      1. That’s so wonderful to hear❣️. So happy for you💕

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  8. A very beautiful post, indeed, Cookie! Keep up your good contribution to society through your words and work. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  9. When you got to the memory care part and Renee’s request, I made an anticipatory guess as it what song. And it was. Nice version you did there.

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    1. o, thank you, Frank. she remembered her name was in the song, and little else about it. but when I began to sing, more of it came back to her.

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  10. That’s beautiful precious! I’m like one of the memory patients because of my autism brain, I also keep it simple, as a boisterous new experience is likely to destabilize and then be forgotten, unless a meltdown occurs, then it will linger months haha. Point being experiences slip away and disappear much faster and new things are frustrating. Luckily, video can replay cool wish-you-were-here memories:

    https://x.com/DrEliDavid/status/1845446512584626586

    I always love your beautiful performances.

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    1. that landing = amazing. and impossible to forget.

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