REVISTING THE PAST

Yesterday the love of my immediate life and I road tripped to the town/city where it all began for us. Where we met, lived and began our cool (in my mind anyway)party of five. It was a trip of necessity, though we always seem to find some fun when we head back. My love has some rental properties (with a buddy) that required attention and I had an appointment for a mammogram - my boobs required attention as well! Make sure you keep up with your appointments female imaginary readers.

I was fortunate enough to have a lunch planned with one half of the friends that we visited in Scottsdale earlier this spring (more of that in another post). My friend Cycleher picked me up from my appointment then headed west for a fun lunch. Lots of catching up and laughs - so happy to have had the opportunity to see her. My love came to pick me up perhaps sooner than I would have liked- but I guess that leaves more conversation for my next visit with Cycleher.

The love of my immediate life and I drove further west to visit the town/neighborhood where we moved just before LLB was born; I do mean just before, we moved in on a Friday and she was born the following Monday. I tell people that she was the screaming baby from hell and hasn’t stopped hahah! She is going to kill me for this dear imaginary reader. Seriously, she knows when to listen and when to drive it home so to speak, all good for the lawyer she will become I am sure. Two weeks after LLB was born we brought Fred the singing Lab into the family, yes dear imaginary reader I was perhaps a little crazy at the time. (Be nice here hahah)

The town was annexed shorty before we moved there, even today it still holds its own special small town vibe. The schools were good, calm streets lined with shade trees and big yards good for collecting lots of kids and their parents for fun times. There was and I am again sure that there still is an active recreational sports community - one that our little family partook of on a regular basis. Not being from the area it was in fact the root of our social scene for many a year.

As we drove through town yesterday we were pleasantly surprised to see a number of business that were still going strong - we have been gone 17 years - a long time to stay viable in a small market. The neighborhood in many ways looks just the same - well tended homes and yards with young families enjoying the community. We drove by our old home, what a change! The two big maple trees from the front yard are gone, totally changes the feel of the place - but change must happen. In all aspects of life. Change can be good. There were good times and bad in that community We welcomed Baby Girl while we lived there, had wandering Lab experiences with Fred, my Mom passed away there..I was not sorry to leave.

Yesterday as we left the old hood and wandered our way east, we stopped at our friends Bear and Jay’s house. These two lived just down the street from us, their family were the first we met and have been a staple in our lives for 28 years. We hadn’t seen them for months but a hug, a gin and tonic and a seat on the deck felt like it was old times. I do miss the people, or chosen family that live in the area, but don’t miss living there.

Change can be good, we moved and our chicks finished growing and for the most part have spread their wings and have flown the nest. Yes dear imaginary reader, I sometimes have difficulty with that part, I admit it. Our change of location offered new vistas and opportunity for our kids, thankfully they have taken full advantage of that. One constant has been the people, back decks and support that began “back in the day” and carries on now and into the future. We are truly blessed.