I'll Always Call It Home

This is where I grew up. All of my formative years were spent here. Right smack dab here.

My childhood was spent swinging and playing here. Teenage years, well, you know what teenagers do. I don't need to go into any details there.

I can't tell you how many social gatherings took place here. Every Friday and Saturday night, the parking lot was full of cars--hippies everywhere!

Into my twenties, we played baseball every Sunday.

I can't tell you how many times I've walked these paths, as a young child with mom holding my hand, or even running away from home when I was about four! Ha. My father had his photo lab in our basement in the early 60s. I told my mom I was going down to "help" him. I snuck out the basement door (I guess dad was in the darkroom) and I walked up to the park. No one even missed me! A couple of gentlemen knocked on the door, with me by their side, telling mom they found me at the park! "You should keep a closer watch on this little girl," they scolded her. How embarrassing! Two MEN! I've always had a good guardian angel looking over me.

Once mom told me that we were walking up the path and I had something in my shoe. She stopped and took my little red sneaker off, shook out what was bothering me and put it back on my foot and we continued on our merry little way up the path. When I asked what was in there, she told me it was a pebble. Later she told me the truth. It was a roach! OMG! I was terrified of bugs, so she knew better than to tell me the truth. Ew.

I remember having field trips here when we were in kindergarten at Oakdridge. We'd walk over to the park and have lunch. I had forgot to bring a bagged lunch (my mom always worked in the school cafeterias where I was). Mom somehow got home, made me a scrambled egg sandwich and brought it back up to the park. It was the best sandwich ever. I still remember it vividly. Cherished memories.

We had a kegger toga party in this area in the back behind the tennis courts. The police came, kegs were rolled down the hill and bodies scattered in all directions. There was an array of evidence left over though. My aunt and uncle owned a sightseeing business. They had these little metal buttons they would give out on the tours. My brothers had the brilliant idea of giving you a button once you paid your "keg fee." There were sightseeing buttons EVERYWHERE! ha I wonder if my uncle ever got a call from the Arlington Co. Police Dept. Lordy me. I would have loved to have found one. I did a little digging, but no such luck.

I walked around the park for over an hour. Reminiscing. What memories.

And then I rolled down the street to check up on the nice people who had bought mom's house. I was totally shocked to see it had already been sold once and now was in foreclosure. How sad. What memories were made here. All of mom's flowers were dug up, so I'm hoping the lady took them all when they sold it. How sad. For everything, there is a season. Sniffle. I have to let go now.

I then made my way over to Pentagon City, the shopping mall down the street. I had lunch at Nordstrom's after walking my little feet off. Soup and salad. I had never eaten at Nordy's before. It was good.

Before I knew it, it was time for Mary Jane to get off work. I grabbed dinner at The Chicken Place in Bailey's Crossroads, close to MJ's. It's a Peruvian joint and has the best mixed grill (rotisserie chicken, steak, sausage, pork chop) you'll find anywhere. Mom and I would frequent it at least once when I came back home. Yum. I know MJ was tired as her new baby grandson was just born earlier in the day. They thought he had an infection. So it was a bit trying.

As the night wore on, the baby was diagnosed with a heart defect. I was happy to be there with her so she didn't' have to be alone. We called Dr. Aim (who is married to an ER doctor) and asked her questions and she was a big help. (Baby Cooper is now home from the hospital and thriving! Yay!!) Here is my Sunny Buns, MJ's kitty.

And my room for the next couple of nights after I blew it up! It's always so wonderful staying at Mary Jane's. So laid back and comfy. Thanks so much Mary Jane!

xo
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