Childhood Memories

Today my oldest son, Q, was writing about his memories regarding a beach cruiser, cruising it at the beach, and people watching at the beach. He said he doesn't remember too much about his childhood without the help of photographs. Thank goodness we took alot over the years, and some video too. My sister Lynette texted this morning asking about addresses of the very first house we lived in, in Aurora, CO., and my grandparents address there in Denver. These two conversations led me down through a nostalgic walk down my own memory lane, and also through my children's childhood.

My kids tease me to death about my very distinctive childhood memories. I took them on a little drive through Denver sites in 1984 on our way to South Dakota to see my Grandmother. When we were in Denver again in 1997 for a Bliss Family Reunion they did not want to retrace my childhood again, and were lucky this time because they were too old for me to force them. They remember me showing them where my 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Brown, lived and that we made chocolate chip cookies there. And they still tease me about it!

Today when Lyn asked me what our address was in Aurora I started looking up addresses. I wrote back to Lyn that my elementary school was Montview and it was at 5505 Molina. She couldn't believe I knew THAT address. I didn't of course I just knew the name and googled the address. But then I was able to find our neighborhood, our house, and some of our friends houses. I was quite surprised to see how small that house was square footage wise, especially as houses are getting bigger and bigger these days. We moved into the house when I was around one...although I don't REMEMBER that. I was the oldest, and we lived there until late summer when I was going into 3rd grade. So there were 6 of us living in less than 1000 square feet. I don't think my parents were poor, or rich, that's just what people had at that time. I remember so many memories in that house, like going across the alley to our friends, the Meads. Rusty Mead was my very first boyfriend when I was 4 or 5, and my very last boyfriend when we left Colorado when I was 15 1/2. There was the time I was sent to the Meads to borrow some ice and got my tongue stuck on it on my way home. Also I learned to "pump" on a swing from my next door neighbor Jill Pinkerton. All the neighborhood kids went to the Meads house to watch their new television because no one else had one. We would watch the big sign that told what the network was with a long tone until actual TV programs started. My favorite was Howdy Doody I think. I wanted so much to be in the Peanut Gallery. I had a kindergarten teacher named Mrs. Gold, I remember her daughter was an airline stewardess so I wanted to be one too. She was killed by a bomb that was put on a plane...way back then there were some kind of terrorists I guess. Mrs. Scofield was my 1st grade teacher, but I loved Mrs Brown my 2nd grade teacher because she shared her home...and her chocolate chip cookies. I remember walking to Goodies Store to buy penny candy. Can you imagine parents letting their kids walk by themselves to a store that was maybe 4 blocks away? There were so many fun friends and experiences on Jamaica street in Aurora.

When we moved out of the Aurora house we moved into my grandmothers house at 1230 Magnolia in Denver. My grandfather had just passed away at 55 years old, and my grandmother was having a hard time living alone. We were waiting for our 2nd house to be built in Southeast Denver. I started 3rd grade at Montclair Elementary and my sister, Lynette, started Kindergarten. It was so amazing because her kindergarten teacher Mrs. Lyon was my Dad's kindergarten teacher too, and she remembered him! Lynette walked home once by herself and got lost, I can't remember if that was my fault in some way....see I don't remember EVERYTHING. But I do remember she crossed Colfax which was one of the busiest streets ever. A lady found her and rescued her. Grandma's house had a double hump hill that we would roll down and the neighbor next door had just one really high hump in her yard. We would just have to be careful not to run into the beautiful weeping willow trees. Isn't it funny what kinds of things stay in your memory? Sometimes the tiniest things clasp on, like: the milkbox and the milkman coming every day to put milk in it...especially when it was chocolate; buying new clothes for school and hanging them on the pipes down in the basement room where we slept, and exactly what they looked like; grandma making sugar bread for an after school snack; playing piano on the same piano Daddy did when he was little; grandma's goldeyn mirror over the fireplace. Oh my 3rd grade teacher was Mrs. Haner. Guess my kids are right, I do remember alot!

In the middle of my 3rd grade we moved into our new house at 1569 S. Forest Street in Denver. By the way, I can even remember our telephone number was SKyline 6-7286. To me the house looked like a gingerbread house, it was so cute. The windows on the right side were diamond paned which was so popular in the 50's. We lived in a housing tract called Virginia Village and we felt rich. I was surprised again today to find that this house was only 1200 something square feet. It seemed huge to me. While we were there my brothers Bill and Brock were born, as well as my sister Becky. So eventually there were 9 of us living there. As time went on my parents did do a semi-finish on the basement and we had 1 more bedroom and 1 more bathroom. Before that time all of us were in 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. At that house I remember: the stile to climb over the fence into the Wallaces back yard, the NON-privacy fences that allowed neighbors to be neighbors; the mexican cart with the donkey in the Keeners back yard; playing kick the can with a whole gaggle of neighbor kids; my friend Nancy directly across the street who was less than a month older than me; the Bells, Bradfords, Sameks; "Neighbor Day" on Labor Day and all other patriotic holidays where we gathered to celebrate; the light in the middle of the family room that pulled down if you needed to have a closer look. My dad would walk through the room and grab it as a joke. Many people thought he was pulling the light right out of the ceiling. I remember finishing 3rd grade with Mrs. Moore at Stephen Knight Elementary while waiting for Ellis to be finished. In 4th grade I had Mrs. Woodward, In 5th grade I had Mrs. Hughes, and in 6th grade I had Mrs. Hann. They all seemed so old, but were probably in their twenties looking back. I had a great group of friends and fell in love so many times while I was in elementary school with Tommy Davis, Val Knopf, Bucky down the street. But when I got in Jr. High I was so shy. I don't know why I was shy, perhaps THAT's why. No, our Jr. High Merrill was so crowded they had to do triple sessions 7:30 - 12:30, 9:30 - 2:30 and 12:30 - 4:30. I was divided from some of my friends. One thing I remember there was helping to give out vaccinations for polio. It was a big deal that they had found a vaccination for that horrible disease. People don't even remember the problem that it was. I will never forget Salk and his discovery.

Writing this down brings so many more memories to my mind that I will definitely write for myself someday. I assume this will be more for me than anyone else anyway. Memories are a very personal thing. I did find an old friend on facebook the other day from my childhood on Forest Street. Linda was my church friend. I guess I probably knew her since Primary until I left when I was 15 and we were both in Mutual. I remember lots of fun times in those classes with her at church. Eventually we went to the same High School, George Washington, and that was fun. Mostly I remember going to her house after church on Sundays between Sunday School and Sacrament Meeting to have dinner at their house and jump on the trampoline in her back yard. I am excited because she lives just a few towns over so we will get together after 48 years to reminisce. Actually who knows how much we'll have to share after all that time. Maybe a few "do you remember?" moments, a friendly lunch, and a hug, but it will still be nice.

Little did I know how my life was really only starting with our move to California. We lived for a short time on Ridglea in Buena Park after my Dad was moved by Ford Motor Company. Well actually we started living at the Magic Star right by Disneyland for a month or two. Can you imagine a child's delight living right next to Disneyland? Can you imagine 7 children's delight? Can you imagine 2 parents delight living with 7 children in a motel for 2 months? They were happy to find anything to rent while they searched for one to buy. My dad for several months or maybe years would all the sudden say "Well here we are in California!" It was quite amazing to all of us. The house they chose to buy was 1716 Sunset Lane in Fullerton. We were kind of sad to leave the Country Club life of Los Coyotes, but Mom and Dad kept a membership there for us, for a time. I went to Buena Park High School until the end of the school year. I managed to get on the honor roll with a 4.0 gpa. Unknown before or after that time. I didn't know anyone might as well study. I did meet my friend Pam (who is my friend to this very day) and Dyan who had just moved there from Colorado too. When we moved to Sunset Lane I went to Sunny Hills High School. We had what was considered a large home at the time. It was so large that it was an embarrassment to me when my friends came to visit, but it was smaller than any of my kids homes today at 2400 square feet. You can imagine how big it was to us after the Denver home I was raised in though. Sunny Hills was considered rich man's neighborhood, but what great friends we made there and in our ward at church, Fullerton II Ward. I met my first real boyfriend there. He was our paperboy who delivered his papers from his Jaguar. He also rode a horse, Sunny, atop the hill across the street and would yell to me at my window...very romantic. I keep in touch with some of my high school friends especially Karen and Karen, great friends still. I had lots more boyfriends until I met the one I would marry when I was 18 years old. And that was the end of my childhood! But not the end of my fun. Four years later my first son was born and that began the memories that I tried to build, make golden, and store for my children.

I have always thought the reason I remembered everything about my childhood was because it was such a good childhood. I never recognized the gift of a good memory. I know that because some of my kids don't remember alot of their childhood and I know there's was equally as memorable as mine. So I thank my Heavenly Father for parents who made my childhood memorable and for the gift of memory so that I remember so well!

My Grandchildren--May 20, 2010

Today is Thursday, May 20, 2010. Within the next two to three days I will have a new grandchild. I was talking to Scott and Cynthia last night about the miracle of it all. We wondered how could anyone go through this event and not believe in God. Could a big bang pulling matter together create the perfect timing of this 9 month creation of life? I think not. I remember at the end of each pregnancy being incredulous that on any given day I could go from a large ball carried in front of me, to a little life being held in my arms. It is all such an amazing gift from the Lord.

Besides the miracle of parenthood, there is the blessing of grandchildren. What a joy it is to be able to be a part, once again, of watching from a front row seat a baby discover the world. I look forward to having this baby close enough to just stop by when she is in every stage of discovery. Hailey, Madyson, and Leah were all so far away when they were born. I could only watch through pictures, visits, and verbal updates from Mom and Dad, and I am SOOOO grateful for technology, but Grace will be closeby so I really do have a front row seat to her world.

Yesterday, Madyson (9) sent me a text. It said “When can we have a date for 3, me, you, and hailey?” How special is that? Samantha said as soon as she got in the car Madyson told her she had been thinking all day that we needed to have a date. I called her back to set a date for our get together and while I was talking to her Hailey called to ask if there was any way I could get away from work Friday to see her final GATE project which is a production. I am sad that I won’t be able to leave work, but so happy that she wants me to be there. This is one of the reasons we developed “Date Day”, sometimes called “Hailey Day” or “Mady Day”. When I am not able to be around for a special award, or some other important event….which fortunately isn’t too often because I really do try to make them all….but if it isn’t possible then we go celebrate on another day. It gives us time together, helps me to talk to them, to enjoy something they enjoy, to build a memory.

Building a memory so they remember their Grandma fondly and builds a bit of a legacy to pass on is important. After all I am not going to be here forever. I want to include here a funny moment with Madyson and Hailey from around 2004. Hailey and I were facing each other having a discussion about life and death. I can’t remember exactly why, but I do remember we had the Childcraft out on the human body. Anyway, Mady was sitting on the couch beside me off in her own world, seemingly uninterested. While we were having the discussion I said to Hailey “It’s just a part of the life cycle, everyone dies sooner or later.” Without missing a beat or even turning her head Madyson patted my leg and said “Sooner for you, huh Grandma?” She followed it with a wink and a cluck of her tongue to let me know this was a joke. She was just 3 ½ at the time. I laughed so hard.

Speaking of laughing hard I had Madyson laughing hysterically one time. I got a new mattress set that made my bed quite high. I was demonstrating how I had to get in bed each night. First I walked up next to the bed, through one leg up, grabbed some sheet and tried to pull myself onto the bed grunting and grimacing. The other method for getting onto the bed was to go back into the hallway, drop to a starting position, run and jump onto the bed somewhat like a pole vaulter makes it over the bar. This again was accompanied with the appropriate amount of facial antics. I delighted in her contagious laughter that was so powerful she had to alternate between holding her aching belly and squeezing her cramping cheeks. It is equally as funny when she still acts out “Grandma getting into her bed” frequently.

Hailey enjoys humor, especially humor accompanied by sarcasm. I tell her that she has a black belt in sarcasm. I know that not everyone enjoys this kind of humor, but apparently we do in the Trosper family. Although I do remember asking Hailey how she got so good at it at such a young age. She said, “It’s rather obvious, look who I lived with for all those years, my dad and my Uncle Scott.” My reply was “I don’t know where they possibly learned sarcasm.” To which she replied “Hmmm, I don’t know Gramma, it couldn’t possibly have been from you, could it?” “No, no way.” Later when I said something apparently with a tinge of sarcasm she said, “Hey Gramma, I think I see a bit of sarcasm on your lip, do you want a napkin for it?” Ha ha ha! Now I don’t care who you are, that’s funny! Obviously I could go on and on about these two girls antics. We have serious moments too. Hailey is at an age (12) where she gets mortified by anything and everything any of us do, do you remember those days? Well, to empower her we made a pact that if I ever embarrassed her she could remind me of the day we made the pact in Coco’s restaurant that she would tell me if I ever made her feel uncomfortable. Shortly afterward we were at John’s Incredible Pizza and I was dancing around as we were walking through the place and Hailey quietly tapped me on the shoulder and did the “eye to eye” gesture, just quietly reminding me that I was being embarrassing . I stopped. Don’t always guarantee I’ll stop that easy, but I did that day. I am so grateful for the special relationship we share.

There have been many moments in these blogs that I have shared the amazing connection that I have with Leah. She is clear up in Utah and that is tremendously sad to me. I want to be there to share those special moments building memories with her as well. I am so grateful that through Marque and Sarah’s blog, and great picture taking I feel like I totally know Leah. They have also made the effort to be here for family activities so we rarely go more than a few months without a Leah connection. She is such a joy. Her smiles, laughter, and character make her an enchanting, precious part of my heart even through cyberspace. She was so accommodating to sit by herself for the first time when I was up there, and take some of her first steps when she was down here. When she was about 6 months she learned how to point when she saw the little stain glass birdies flying in my window. She really loved those birds. I was surprised on her last visit when she was just shy of 18 months that she did an intake of air and pointed at them again. It was obviously a memory of her friends and she waved, pointed and said “goodbye” to them just before she headed home. I just bought her very own birdie to hang in her window. Maybe it will connect her to her California Gramma a little more.

Now, we are just around the corner from a new little one to love and build memories with. Her little bedroom is pink and brown with butterflies and flowers. It’s a perfect place for a little girl. The bassinet is in place next to mommy and daddy’s bed. The closet and drawers are filled with little girlie clothes passed on from cousin Leah, and friends Lauren and BrookLyn besides the new ones that friends, aunties and grandmas just couldn’t resist. All is in readiness, everything is right, just waiting for your little tiny, precious body and spirit to fill our hearts and lives . There is nothing in the world to compare with being a mother, but watching your children be parents to your grandchildren is love to the highest degree. I’m ready little Grace, we all are! Just a few more days!

July!

I love July, mostly because of 4th of July. Patriotic feelings come so strongly from my childhood. Every American holiday my Dad would wake all of us up .....never mind I will post a story my sister, Lynette, and I co-wrote about it.

The 4th of July

Hurrah, Hurrah for the 4th of July! Mommy stood at the door of the girls bedroom with blonde haired Karen on her hip. Another rousing “Hurrah!” alerted the girls that it was time to rally.
Leslie groaned. “Do we have to do this at our new house? These people don’t know us. Can’t we just leave it that way?” Leslie loved the 4th of July as much as anyone but it was one time she just wished her family was not quite so open in their patriotism. She didn’t have much time to think about it though because Daddy was at the bedroom door with his shiny, bright smile urging them to hurry.
“C’mon girls let’s not waste this beautiful morning!”
Wishing she at least had time to take the curlers out of her hair and put on her new red, white, and blue summer dress Leslie stumbled out of bed and slid her feet into her slippers. “Daddy, can’t we just dressed first?” she mumbled.
Lynette jumped out of bed with unusual energy. She was the one who typically fought getting up. Not today! It was 4th of July and great things were in store. Daddy and Mommy made sure this holiday was almost as exciting as Christmas. Knowing what came first Lynette was ready to go. It didn’t matter that her hair had flattened pony tails from sleeping on them, and that her pj tops didn’t match the bottoms with holes in the knees. Jumping up and down she encouraged Leslie to hurry, “Leslie, we’re not going to a party. Remember we’re the oldest we have to be in front!”
Leslie groaned again. Since she was the oldest she would be the very first out of the door. Lynette would get to carry the flag right behind her. Daddy made the decision last night. “Yep Lynette I think you’re tall enough to keep it off the ground this year. Lynette stood even taller just to prove her Dad‘s point
Leslie seemed to shrink as she thought, “Did he have to rub it in?” She continued to contemplate the unfairness of it all. “How could God possibly have made such a mistake? I’m the oldest so I’m supposed to be the tallest.” Unfortunately as much as she tried to stretch herself, Lynette passed her up. She had grown two more inches just since they got out of school for summer vacation. Leslie wondered, “Could there possibly be a more awkward situation than to have your little sister taller than you?”
Lynette jolted her from her uncomfortable trance with a rousing “Hurrah, hurrah for the 4th of July! Leslie! Hurry up!”
Dragging her slippered feet Leslie headed for the front door. Daddy and Mommy were there already. Mommy gave Susan a whistle showing her how to put her little fingers over the holes while she blew. Karen at two years old seemed confused at all the activity until Daddy handed her a pot and showed her what a great sound it would make when hit with a spoon.
“Okay, is the Bliss Band ready to go?” Daddy bellowed joyfully.
“Leslie you go first with your triangle. Lynette, be careful of the flag. Keep the pole on your hip and hold it strong with both hands. Hold it high so the flag doesn’t even touch the ground.” Lynette stood taller and took a firm grip on the flag’s pole. This was the first time she ever got to carry the flag, and she knew it was an honor. “
Susie blow that whistle good now. Turn the pan over Karen. Bang it hard. Mommy, you’re next, what instrument are you going to play?“ They all laughed as she took one of Daddy’s black combs out of her apron pocket and wrapped it with wax paper. Mommy smiled as she put the comb to her lips and hummed against it making the musical vibration sound a bit like a kazoo. “Fantastic!“ Daddy declared “Okay, everyone ready? . Hup, two, three, four. PAA-RRUMP, PAA-RRRUMP, “ Daddy rolled his ‘r’s trying to make the sound of a drum roll. They all marched in place for a while just inside the front door, then Daddy opened the door with a flourish, never losing a beat, and still marching in place.
Leslie moved slowly out the door. She stopped and looked up the block, then down the block to see if anyone was outside. Her only hope was that 8:00 on a holiday morning was too early for most of the neighbors.
The flag’s pole tapped Leslie on the shoulder reminding her she couldn’t stop this parade even if she wanted to. Lynette added to the urgency whispering, “Go Leslie, go. Susan’s running into me.” Leslie hesitantly marched ahead, with the family following in a high stepping cadence.
Daddy was still PA-Rrrumping, and in his right hand, appearing as if by magic, he held Leslie’s baton from her dance class. Trying to twirl it like a drum major he marched to the front of the line. When he stood before them he bellowed, “Forward, HARCH!” With a broad wave of his hand started singing loudly “Yankee Doodle went to town, A riding on a pony, “ The whole family joined in singing at the top of their lungs, while making as much noise as they could with their rag tag band instruments.
Leslie tried to daintily hit the triangle with a spoon as it swung crazily back and forth as she marched behind her father. She was still concerned about the neighbors seeing the family’s crazy antics, but her enjoyment of the tradition was winning out.
Following close behind, Lynette smiled broadly hoping her friends would come out and see the parade. In her mind, she and her family were dressed in magnificent band uniforms and played just as grandly as any band on earth. With that thought she bellowed even louder “Yankee Doodle keep it up, Yankee Doodle Dandy…“ Behind her she could hear Susan occasionally try to blow the tin whistle Daddy brought from one of his business trips. Mostly Susan was only able to make whooshing sounds before giving up to sing along with her family. The sounds Susan did manage to whistle were drowned out by Karen’s repeated thumps on the pan. Thump, clack, thunk. Karen liked the noise and she was making a lot of it. Mommy hummed “Yankee Doodle” into her waxed paper comb kazoo beaming with pride as she marched along with her little ones and giggling at her husband’s antics.
They marched down the front walk and at the corner of the grass where it met the sidewalk Daddy called out, “Right, Harch!” and made a sharp turn onto the sidewalk. As each daughter reached the same spot on the concrete the also made a quick right turn. Karen almost fell over her own little feet but caught herself just in time. Mommy humming along at the back of the parade quickly stepped over the corner of the grass onto the concrete. When he reached the driveway Daddy again called out “Right, Harch!” and the Bliss parade followed their father up the driveway to the corner of the house where Daddy had nailed up the small flag holder.
Marching in place he waited for each family member to line up in front of the garage. Being very good followers they each took their lead from their father as he marched in place facing them. “Company Halt.” he called and the all stopped marching, except for little Karen whose feet needed a couple seconds to catch up.
All paused for a moment and then lifting his knees high Daddy took one step forward and with a precise military step-turn to the left, he marched forward until he was directly in front of Lynette and the flag she bore proudly. He saluted, then took the flag from her hands. Lynette grinned with pride as she carefully gave up the treasured emblem reversing his steps he stopped at the corner of the garage. Reaching high, Dad placed the flag into it’s honored position.
He turned to his family and said purposefully. “Okay, ready. Repeat after me.” His voice grew soft, yet strong. Leslie could see in her father’s eyes as he said the words that this was more important than a family tradition. Out of the corner of her eye she saw several of her friends gathering with their parents on their lawns, but it didn’t matter anymore. What mattered was this flag, and this pledge she was saying with her family.
“I pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America,
and to the republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.”
Leslie noticed Mommy wipe a tear from her eye, and Daddy got a little choked up when they said the part about ‘one Nation under God’. There was no doubt about the importance of this moment and Leslie was no longer embarrassed, she was proud. She noticed Lynette was standing straight and tall as a soldier with her hand over her heart. The girls all copied, and respected, the honor their parents gave the flag and the Pledge of Allegiance.
It didn’t matter if the whole neighborhood watched because they were having a moment. One moment that would be rolled with many moments where the Bliss parents would pass on the importance of patriotism to their little family. Leslie almost felt like she needed to include “Amen” at the end of the pledge, but instead she just slowly moved her hand and placed it quietly next to her side.
High and off key, Lynette started singing the Star Spangled Banner, “O say can you see,” Daddy stopped her and then signaled them to all start again, this time in a lower key, “O say can you see, by the dawns early light.“
As they sang Leslie was so proud to see that more and more neighbors gathered. The chorus rose from all directions in the neighborhood as everyone joined in singing the National Anthem with the patriotic Bliss Family.

Just one of the reasons I love July!