“Some memories are unforgettable, remaining ever vivid and heartwarming!”
– Joseph B. Wirthlin
Think of a day in your life that you thought, “this day sucks!” That was my day yesterday. When praying about the situation that I am in I started rattling off all the things I am blessed for. Not to be a Pollyanna (because fake positivity isn’t really my thing) but I do try to reroute my thinking.
One of the things that I thanked God for is the neighborhood that I live in now. I live in the same neighborhood I grew up in. There is something to be said about living in the same neighborhood I used as an open playground when I was a kid. Growing up we had driveways full of basketball courts to play the games Pig and Horse, a neighborhood trampoline to jump on, and kids running through the neighbors’ yards playing flashlight tag.
I thought our home on S. Broadmoor was the best. I have always referred to this house as “The Happy House.” I loved the long living room with a white fireplace, French doors that led to a cozy family room, and a door from the family room that led into the kitchen nook where we ate all of our family meals.
Now, my bedroom was the best room a girl could have with hardwood floors and a pie chest filled with Barbie dolls and Barbie furniture that my Mom bought for me. The room was large and had a little side room with a built-in cabinet and drawers. There was a door from that little room that led into my brother’s room and when he would leave, I was so excited to go in and “borrow” his Helen Reddy and KC & the Sunshine Band albums.
We had a neighborhood drug store called Whitaker’s Pharmacy that kept a running tab, which was perfect for my bubble gum addiction, and next door to the pharmacy there was a grocery store by the name of Galuzzo’s, with only one checkout lane and the best selection of pop and candy. My favorites being Bottle Caps and Pop Rocks. After school, both stores were always packed with kids. Great memories!
Where do you take your mind to when you need to get away for a while? What comforts you in those thoughts? When I am struggling, I can sometimes envision myself running through the front door of the “Happy House,” dropping my books in the little foyer, saying hi to my mom who is in the kitchen and plopping down on the couch to watch the newest after-school special.
In the midst of hardships, I am thankful for a place to remember fondly, and the comfort of those memories helps my mind reroute. Realizing that there are so many things I can choose to be thankful for and growing up in my neighborhood is definitely one of them!
My “Happy House” 🙂
Not a Care in The World! 🙂
Blessed beyond measure. ❤️