Patronus

Throughout my childhood, my happiest memory is of the sound of the hood of our wrought iron grill opening and hitting my windowsill. That meant Dad was grilling Lindsay sausage for Sunday breakfast, my favorite time of the week. We'd sleep late, forgo chores, talk, make each other laugh, and not rush the day like we did on Saturdays. The sausage was specially made in my father's hometown of Lindsay, Texas, in a single grocery store, and it's the best sausage I've had to this day. It's special, just like Sundays. 

If you asked me what my Patronus memory of happiness is, I would say the sound of that iron grill hitting my windowsill. 

The idea of the Patronus is taken from Harry Potter: It's your happiest memory, which you cast in the face of a Dementor to save your sense of happiness and even your soul from being sucked out of your body. It's a very difficult spell to pull off, because your happy memory has to be strong and felt with true conviction.

More recently, my happiest times are when I take my nap every afternoon and I listen to the sounds of life through my bedroom door: Mom and Dad chatting and laughing, my brother playing guitar, the slam of the microwave, the clink of the dog's tags against her water bowl, even my Dad cursing when he's on the phone with a "gotdamn fucking bitch of a machine." 

Since I now live at a lakehouse, you'd think my favorite memories would be of reading on the deck or watching sunsets every evening come over the horizon, but no, it's the everyday sounds of my family. 

These are the sounds of home, and they keep me safely guarded, at least enough for me to burrow down in my bed and go to sleep with my mind at peace.

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What is your Patronus memory?