I love, love, love to decorate for the holidays, especially Christmas!! Around this time last year, I mentioned how decorating with my mother was a memorable time of the year. Now that I'm older, away from home, married, and starting my new traditions...I can't help but be thankful that I experienced a joyous past and have fond memories that I'll never forget.
As I'm putting up my Christmas stuff, I find myself reflecting upon the past. My old neighborhood has changed, but I never wished during my upbringing that we should have lived somewhere else. Yes, there were downfalls such as not being able to find any parking spots after 5pm or blowing a fuse in the entire house because I had the blow dryer and microwave on at the same time...oh geez! But what can one really expect from a bungalow probably built in the 1930's?! (We found a Polish newspaper from the year of 1932 underneath the old attic flooring).
We lived on a block where everyone knew each other and front doors were rarely locked. Parents would hang out together and their children that were similar in age would become great friends. I like to compare the neighborhood with an opening scene from a movie. Try to visualize many children running around, playing sports or games and just having the best time being outside. That's exactly what it was like. I wasn't cooped up in my home like some of the kids today...spending hours on the computer, phone, or watching television. I used to dread having to go inside to eat dinner because all I wanted was to remain outdoors. My friends and I were inseparable and remained close up until we became adolescents.
Changes happen...sometimes good, sometimes bad. Throughout the years, neighbors began to move, time passed and then I entered high school. This was a period of my life when I longed for something I just couldn't find. I had such high expectations that were not met. It wasn't until my senior year that I was the happiest. This is not to say I hated high school because I had fun times and met some really good people, but the area changed. Gangs were unfortunately present in our high school and as for myself, the goal of trying to receive straight A's just wasn't a priority anymore.
I still reminisce because its impossible not to. Now that I'm in charge of an after school reading club, I am fortunate enough to be able to enter my old grade school on a weekly basis. I feel a chill run up my spine whenever I'm there because I can remember exactly where my mom would pick me up after school. As I drive away, I drive past old houses where old friends lived and I think of how much I loved my grade school/middle school. I loved my teachers and wanted nothing more than to impress them with good grades. I had a blast there and my memories are some of the best around.
The saying "time flies by" surely is true. Ending this entry full circle, as I walk around decorating I smile for two reasons. One for the past, another for the present. I love my new home and I'm thankful I still have a bit of the past left with me. I'm lucky to have the opportunity to tell my students to remain proud of where they are from despite the negative reactions given by others. It was a wonderful place to grow up and hopefully still can be for many families.
PS: Visit Freddie's on 16th street.....my belly is so thankful that place is still up!
PSS: Read the book Cicero The First Suburb West by Betty Carlson Kay to learn about the history especially if you are from there!
