Pam (Pt. 1)

Christmas 2018

Just some of my favorite memories growing up…

Summers at the beach. Hours of playing in the surf with you watching closely nearby. Building sand castles together, pushing me on the surf riders (big inflatable boogie boards), getting golden brown under the toasty sky and basking in the love and affection from my parents. I remember applying sunscreen to mom’s back, which never seemed to do its job as I would be peeling her back within a few days after her sunburn would dry up. Sand would always be everywhere and we did our best to keep it out of the car, but you can only do so much. We’d have packed lunches and canteens of juice and the one thing I remember clearly, was bubble gum to help with the saltwater which would inevitably get in the mouth.

I love the hours we’d spend flying homemade kites, and then the hours we’d spend trying to locate them when they’d break free. It was a fine art. I remember the fishing reels, and the stickers on the kites and their tails you’d put on them for balance. I’d hold the kite until you said to let go and you’d give it a good tug, and depending on the wind, you’d run or not. It was always a thrill to see how far you could let the line out, and when you would hand me the reel once the kite was safely soaring in the sky.

I loved our back yard and the attention to detail you gave it. I was sorry to see certain trees go, but of course Patti had allergies and you did your best to accommodate her. THANK GOD she wasn’t allergic to the avocado trees!!! I seem to remember a sandbox at one time? Did we get rid of it because cats used it as a litterbox? Or did I just outgrow it? I also seem to remember a large stone made out of glass back by the lemon trees. I thought of it as treasure. 
I remember playing circus back there and turning our disgustedly grimy and filthy metal trash barrels on their side and attempting to walk deftly on them. I remember climbing up on those logs you lined up along that back wall so I could look over the fence. I believe I use to walk along that wall thinking if I fell the ivy would be my cushion. I use to love climbing that huge avocado tree though I was warned not to, but even falling out of it several times and having the wind knocked out of me didn’t stop me. It’s truly amazing I never broke anything!

I remember climbing behind those scratchy bushes in the front yard and making “camp”. This was way before spiders and bugs became something to fear. I think I even use to crawl in the ivy, or at least I hid in there a couple of times playing hide and seek. ICK!!

I loved going to the drive-in theater, especially when we got there early enough to spend time on the playgrounds. But of course, first we had to find the perfect spot, not too close to anyone else, especially cars with loud kids, but yet close enough to restrooms and the playground. I remember spending time in the concession stand lines, OH MY GOD so much time in those lines, they seemed to last forever! And I loved watching movies in the back seat with blankets to keep warm.

For all intents and purposes, most of my memories are from the Whittier house, but I do recall living in Huntington Park and walking into the living room when it was dark. Some of my earliest memories of Whittier include bathing in the sink in the kitchen by the backdoor next to the washing machine, eating meals at the kitchen table with the window behind me, and playing with puppies in the back patio, we kept them in a box, were they GD’s or Lucky’s? Thank you for getting rid of the Doberman Pincher, man that was an evil dog! 
I remember spending hours playing hopscotch in that back patio. I was trying to hone my skills to compete with my classmates at school. I was always on the look for the perfect chain to play with. I’d also spend hours playing jacks, you’d play with me sometimes, no?

I remember the trips to Disneyland and yes, the submarine ride episode. 
And of course, I remember loving the music! From the music you’d play on your stereo with the huge speakers, to the hits on the radio. From Nancy Sinatra to Tom Jones, from Jackie DeShannon to The Righteous Brothers. We’d have transistor radios to the larger radios with handles for the beach. You’d invest in the latest technology (reel-to-reel) and play music all the time. 
I don’t really recall train sets, but I certainly remember the slot cars and building the track configuration and then racing them. We even built a couple, didn’t we? That was hours and hours of fun in the middle of our living room! 
And then there was the Bluebirds, precursor to Campfire Girls. Thanks for all your participation including chaperoning the winter camping…at a lodge, and for all the dozens of boxes of candy you help sell at work!

Father Daughter dances, attending my school recitals, waiting for me while I attend church out in the parking lot, driving me around and dropping me off at my friends. These are just some of the memories I cherish.

I recall being pushed around on one of those inflatable rafts on a lake. I also recall hours of playing in pools and you allowing me to wrap my arms around your neck while you’d swim.

You taught me how to water ski and that time we took ski lessons together…well, it was fun at least! I never really nailed snow skiing, it was all about stopping as opposed to just embracing and honing the ability and skill to go downhill. I loved the ski lodges though!

You and mom would make our Christmases truly magical with the lights on the house, a fire in the fireplace and a tree full of presents. I loved Christmas Eve at Grandma’s house with all the cousins running amok waiting for the gifts to be delivered by Santa. We’d always go home with a box filled with Grandma’s homemade breads and cookies.

I remember cuddling on the couch in the living room watching TV and you would carry me to bed and tuck me in.

Remember that fish tank I had? That was a big endeavor and I loved watching the fish for hours along with Alfred the frog who eventually became dinner for one of the huge kissing fish (I was heartbroken).

Spending time at Henshaw’s either shopping, or visiting mom when she worked in wrapping, then the Hickory Farms department. I recall having lunch at that restaurant they use to have towards the front of the store. I knew that store forwards and backwards.

Of course these memories are not in any order, so I’ll be jumping around…
Thank you for my perfect wedding. The only thing I would change about that day, and this is the God’s honest truth, is that I would have invested in more comfortable shoes! From the wedding chapel, to the reception over looking the ocean at sunset, it was beautiful! And to have Grandpa Sanchez and Grandma Bladh be able to attend, just put the icing on the cake! We had a beautiful honeymoon in Kauai all because of you. And though my marriage ended after almost 15 years, it wasn’t a marriage of regret. He was not cruel to me and he did his best to live up to our expectations, but thankfully he took the initiative to end it. And of course, I got the best thing in the whole world-wide world out of it, Sydney Rose.

Your love and devotion for Sydney Rose has been inspirational. To have you there for her every single time you were needed, has been a blessing. You would help care for her from a baby to womanhood. I remember I couldn’t wait to tell you I was pregnant, in fact, I drove all the way to Whittier to tell you in person. You were thrilled! And then when we found out the baby would be a girl, well we all celebrated! I was under a lot of pressure to produce a girl. From baby showers to waiting outside the door while I delivered her, you were and always have been there for her. Remember seeing her after I gave birth? That was one of the most moving moments of my life. For us to all be there together celebrating her arrival.

Well… it’s Christmas morning father, and Sydney Rose just got up. We’ll be downstairs soon to celebrate Christmas 2018 with you and Carol. I plan to add more memory tidbits soon.

I love you!

Pam