today is hot but much less humidity---makes me think of all the summer days ahead, with nice anticipation--
i know most people think of the beach and pool when they remember or look forward to their next summer days of fun and relaxation---and i do too, at least the beach part-----i have never been too much for the pool setting---
but today i was reminiscing about days that bring me back to summer in full force of recollections---
when i think of one of my best days, i always go back to the time, when our family had a lady come live with us for a while---she was a wave in the navy and our church choir leader----she was alone in our city and living in a small house trailer----my mom and dad took pity on her and brought her into our home, for i think maybe a year or so--until she moved on---
i liked her at first but grew to kinda hate her as she clearly disliked me---she loved my sister martha and showed her preference in many ways, the least of which---on my sister's birthday she gave her a piece of luggage and a diamond necklace----on mine she gave me paper dolls and gave martha some too!!
but before i was so clearly jaded by her living with us and treating me like cinderella---i was very excited to have her come live with us----on a great note, she was the one who taught me the right hand on piano --i later taught myself the left hand---
i recall the day we went to her trailer to pick up her things----it was one of the hottest days of the summer and i do not think our car even had ac ---inside her trailer was hotter than the outside, since she had no air running, she had been staying with us already and this was just the packing up day----
it was something about that trailer and trailer park----it was magical to me----a tiny kitchen tiny sofa, tiny everything---it was a child's paradise----i looked out at all of the kids, running around under the sprinklers and tossing balls and riding their scooters---it was my first experience in a place as such-
i know that some trailer parks are noisy and impoverished and if i ever had lived in one i may not be so romantic about them----but to me then and mostly now---when i daydream about summer and life in general, i often go back to that day--and quietly let it sink in--that feeling an essence to me of summer days
I lived in a "double-wide" in a Mobil Home Park when I was a kid from about 1968 to 1971. It was not your typical, or stero-typical redneck, Jeff Foxworthy trailer or trailer park. It was really a nice home and the park was well kept. It didn't do us too bad.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first married I was a PFC in the Marine Corp in 73 and for 75.00 we rented a typical redneck trailer in a real redneck trailer park in North Carolina. That was one wild ride!
it sounds awesome to me and always has---another reason was probably because, i remember going with my best friend and her husband-- she was pregnant- i was still single---to look at house trailers, they were so beautiful to me and cozy and extremely romantic!
DeleteMy grandmother lived in a caravan (lol - I'm a Brit!). And I remember every day seemed like summer. She always had tiny orange mandarin pieces for tea - out of a can. Oh bliss! You really benefited having the lady living with you if she taught you the piano! btw - what's a wave in the navy (see? I AM a Brit!)
ReplyDeleteoh that sounds divine, just like something i can see---robyn and i love to have tea, now i am going to get those oranges next time!!-- and susan waves were women accepted for volunteer emergency service!
DeleteI understand a trailer being a child's paradise. My parents had a camper, and my sister and I used to love playing in it. Everything was so cute and tiny! To this day, I love miniature things. :)
ReplyDeletei know, my husband and i still think how we would love to have one--every time we see one for sale, we go awwwwww :)
DeleteFrom someone who has actually LIVED in a trailer - I have a hard time seeing any kind of paradise there. I bought the thing when I was 22 because I didn't want to pay rent. I ended up living in it until I divorced. To say that it was crowded with 2 kids would be an understatement but I have to admit that I have some wonderful memories from that trailer.
ReplyDeletei know, it has to be crowded for larger families---but i still feel nostalgic when i pass by one:)
DeleteEnjoyed reading the story; did you guys keep in touch with her? That was nice of your parents to do; she certainly didn't realize the importance of not playing favorites.
ReplyDeleteI think I would like to live in a trailer with AC of course if it was just me or maybe hubby and me. I don't need a lot of space and if the price was right, I think I'd be motivated to live there :)
betty
no, i haven't seen her since a few years after she moved away, she dropped by our house on her way through to somewhere----i know, you can get so much more house for such a small price, with a trailer--and the new ones today are gorgeous--if you have your own property, it is such a bargain!
DeleteLynn, this was such a lovely reminiscence. I have always loved summer and memories of summer. Really enjoyed this peek into your heart.
ReplyDeletethanks suze and what a lovely way to put it--cause it is part of my heart:)
DeleteFunny where our minds can take us when we go down memory lane. Every season takes me to a different memory that I had forgotten- or just filed away. They always seem to come back at the right time though, don't they?
ReplyDeleteso true and for me it is lots of strange little times and things that don't seem very important, but i can almost remember when they were happening, thinking, i'm gonna remember this:)
DeleteThrough the eyes of a child we can see the beauty hidden from adults.
ReplyDeletei think that is what happens, pam!
DeleteIt's fun to think about things in our life like this, and it's funny how we end up romanticizing things that really don't seem like they should've been so great.
ReplyDeletei know---we never really know why somethings, just click in that internal way and stick!
DeleteA camper van is big on the wish list! Love all the miniature stuff. Intrigued by the possible back story of the sister favouring lady- seems like a feeble way to repay hospitality!
ReplyDeleteyeah she was pretty mean in her picking favorites--- yeah sure i wasn't as likable as my brother and sister--my oldest sister had moved out by then---anyway i do remember thinking my parents should have put a stop to it---actually in my thinking about this today----it was not an easy fit in other ways, her living with us---story, i probably never will tell--thanks lily!
DeleteChildhood memories can be so special and indeed magical.
ReplyDeleteyes they can be the best!
Deletefor 1 semester in college, I lived in a trailer...squished as sardines! we all knew it was temporary, so it was an adventure more than anything!!
ReplyDeleteinteresting always to think about moments from our childhood....
that sounds pretty cool!
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