Yesterday’s youth… remembering the smell of honeysuckle’s…a snail on my Dr. Scholl’s sandal. Yes I did walk home with one shoe. Black and white saddle shoes…loved those! Frequent ice cream truck in front of our driveway, swimming pool and swingset in the backyard. An an outdoor see through tent. An apple tree. Roller-skating in the basement. A few parties too. Playing school with my younger sisters and I was the teacher.
Mommy making ice cream out of snow. My new purple bike for Christmas. Countless toys under the tree on Christmas morning. Sunday night skating-rink gatherings. Everyone’s shoes commingled! Doors were left unlocked and neighbors holding one another accountable.
Weekend dinners with my aunt’s family and frequent visits with my grandmother… Even younger, my Mr. potato head toys and my Ms. Beasley doll baby. Loved me some coloring and paper dolls. Penny candy and trick or treating. Even remember the bliss of recess at the elementary school two blocks away.
Never once did we fear a mass shooting or make preparations for an active shooter scenario.
Pause: God I was just writing “using Siri” about my youth and how we had a swimming pool in the backyard. And at 8th and Greenwood, three boys are in their pool in the backyard. Having a blast!!! Beautiful sight!
