Wednesday, October 13, 2010

California ~

The place of my birth
My mom and dad
My brother, Greg
Grandma and Grandpa Clawson, Grandpa Abreu
Many Aunts and Uncles
Many more cousins
Friends
St. John of God Catholic School, uniforms, friends, nuns and priests, first through seventh grade
  Mass almost everyday
Riding my bike to school, the library
Walking to school, the pool and the liquor store
Lazy days laying on the grass in my front yard
Summer nights playing outside, tether ball and hiding go seek, my birthday parties
Fourth of July, Christmas, Thanksgiving get togethers
Spending the night with cousins and slumber parties with friends
Memories ~ so many
A place that will be in my heart forever!

24 comments:

Brian Miller said...

you got some nice memories of there...it is fun to go back home because no matter how much it changes its still home...

Blasé said...

Please don't go back...

Jeanie said...

This is good and full of such memories. I started a post a while ago about where I grew up...I may have to go back and finish it now. It is interesting how those life forming memories make a place special to us always.

Jen said...

So close to Compton, though...scary.

I love California almost as much as Hawaii. Maybe that will be my plan B.

Coffeypot said...

As the old saying goes, you can't go back home. The memories are good, but life and time has gone on and the changes will disappoint you.

Chris H said...

Nice .... we have family in Anaheim... and what is wrong with Compton Jen?

betty said...

haven't been in the area where you grew up, Gayle, but somewhat familiar with the areas around it. It sounds like you had a great childhood in California! I disagree with the commenter that said you can't go back. I've been back here to Southern California two different times, it is different, but it is also home more so than anywhere else I've ever lived. The mover who moved us down here said he found in his years of moving that a lot of people end up moving back to their home. He decided to stay at his home and travel the country with his moving van.

thanks for sharing your memories with us!

betty

Chapters From My Life said...

You sure do love that place .... I miss Bangalore so much. Sigh!

Gigi said...

No matter how far we go - the place where we grew up is always home.

Anonymous said...

I've never been to California but I've always wanted to go sometime. Sounds like a great place to grow up!

Living Life said...

You know, I've never been to Cali, but it is on my bucket list! Isn't it nice to reminisce about your birth place. So, will you be visiting soon?

Unknown said...

California is such a big place! I would love to visit there someday. Great post!

Together We Save said...

Sounds like a wonderful place with great memories!

Ann said...

Like they say there's no place like home. I've never been to California myself, I guess I'm more of an east coast girl :)

adrienzgirl said...

Those childhood memories are the best. We moved to FL when I was 8. So I grew up here really. But I will always remember Utah and consider it home.

Liz Mays said...

I have those feelings for my childhood home and neighborhood, but I hated the city!

Kathy said...

I only live a town away from where I grew up, but there is nothing better than a drive down the old street remembering the neighbors and all of the great times we had as kids. I love going back and the changes are fine with me. I have my memories.

The Me Within said...

I mentioned you in my blog tonight **hugs** http://themewithin.com/wordpress/?p=834

Joanie said...

Your blog post could easily be my blog post, except it would be titled Pennsylvania and have a lot more siblings (4 brothers, 3 sisters(

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Me too, but my hometown (Westchester, home of LAX) didn't even make the map.
xoRobyn

CiCi said...

Good memories of your growing up years. I grew up in Riverside and my aunt and cousins were in Gardena. There were so many nice things about California back then. Not so crowded and not so expensive then.

Jannie Funster said...

Hi! What a gorgeous bunch of colorful books to see when your site opens, really cheerful, reminds be of all the places books can take us.

And enjoyed your CA reminiscing poem very much.

injaynesworld said...

I think we had the same childhood. I was born in SF and grew up in the Bay Area. I'm in central California now. Never lived in any other state. It will be fun to vote for Jerry Brown -- again. ;)

Marla said...

Sounds like we share the same childhood. I was born in Lynwood, raised in South Gate and went to St. Helen's then Pius X High School in Downey. We were practically neighbors! :-)