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24/06/2023 6:58 am
A COUGH, COFFEE, and a MEMORY
I'm up early this morning with a summer cold. Yea I know, who gets a cold in the summer? Congratulations to me! With a stuffy head and a nagging cough, I got my coffee brewing. While it was, I went to my wrestling room and my mind wandered.
When memories make us smile, that means they're good. It was 64 years ago this month (June 1959) that I walked with my Grandma to Guertin's Drug store on White Bear Ave. in St. Paul, MN. Grandma and I had walked there a few times before, but this particular visit would become a lifetime memory. On the newsstand was this copy of Wrestling Revue.
Being only 7 years old I didn't understand the significance of the magazine at the time, that being, it was the very first issue published! Grandma gave me 50 cents for it, while reminding me "that's a lot of money", so I should take care of the magazine. After enjoying a soda fountain Malt with Grandma, you know the think ones that come in the tin cup with a tall glass. Soooo good! When we got back to her house, I remembered the excitement I had looking at the magazine..
Inside there was an ad to subscribe so that I could get every issue delivered right to my house. WOW! My Dad gave me the $3.00 for the subscription, while reminding me (as Grandma did) "that's a lot money". What's interesting is that today, 64 years later, this very first issue is extremely rare and I've seen copies on eBay selling for as much as two and three hundred dollars! Hey Grandma and Dad, "that's a lot of money"!
As I fondly recall this adventure all these years later, Guertin's Drug store is gone, Grandma is gone, Dad is gone...but I still have this issue of Wrestling Revue (and each issue after) and I'm smiling as I reflect back on it. Grandma and Dad are making me smile. And no money can buy this memory from me.
This stuffy head and cough I have will pass but this memory is forever! Man, my coffee is good this morning!
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
24/06/2023 9:38 am
Great memories for you George. So often it seems that it's the little gestures made by a loved one to a child that make a huge difference.
I hope you get well soon.
24/06/2023 11:48 am
Uhg! I hate Summer colds. Get well quickly George.
24/06/2023 4:06 pm
Love hearing your recollections George. Nice memories.
Pete Rovero and John Kuvakas reacted