To me Nostalgia is a memory of a past happy experience. How much time must pass before that happy time that was experienced becomes "Nostalgia?"

Forty years? Twenty years? Ten years? Six months? A week? Yesterday? Minutes ago? Seconds?

I believe soon as time passes, nostalgia will exist.

Example: You’re at the drag races. You see a thrilling run. You say to your pal, "Wow did you see that?"  (past tense). That great runou enjoyed watching has become nostalgia.

But most of us, Car and Music People especially relate nostalgia to long ago, Decades. Me, I want to recall and dwell on the 60s. HAPPY DAYS! Of course I do. I was young, very significant episodes happened to me in the 60s. I turned 21 in 62. Did my military, met wife in 64, got married in 65, had daughter in 66, started my own business in 67, started serious racing in 69.

   
Is that Stockard Channing or my wife--Linda Lou Feurer standing by our new aquired  67 GTX.
Only pic of that beautuful car.

And here is a biggie! Most people I cared about and identified with were alive and viable in the 60s. My favorite decade, you bet!

But something I have realized is recent happy experiences are being cheated. No, I am being cheated.

Last week we had a wonderful surprise birthday party for my grandson's 27th. birthday. It was wonderful at the moment. And still wonderful with pictures for days after on Face Book and more importantly in my mind. 

I am 75 years old. I cannot wait decades to revel in current events as nostalgia, like I do the 60s. I now need to revel with current nostalgia also.

I guess what has happened to me is; do to becoming senior age status these last few years, I have changed my opinion and logic of what really is nostalgia, and what is really important. (and lots of other things also)

I have reached an age, and we all will!!! if lucky. Where being frantic about my racing was priority, now a good bowel movement in the morning is a great nostalgic experience.

I always think of Madonna's wistful song. It is my Madonna favorite. "This Used To Be My Playground." She sings it during the credits at the end of the movie she is in: "A League of Their Own" 1992. (Great movie)

The lyrics tell not to dwell too much on the past. Madonna answers, "That is Way too Much to Ask. It will never go away-cant's say goodbye to yesterday."  That song is a huge metaphor. Several years ago, I agreed with Madonna. But recently I have concluded to share old nostalgia with the latest contemporary nostalgia when possible.