The Girl from Scenic Woods

I have many fond memories of my childhood, most of which unfolded in Scenic Woods, the neighborhood my parents moved to in the 1960s. I spent many afternoons outside dreaming about the many places in the world I wanted to visit. I spent many others playing at the park across the street with friends from the neighborhood, especially my "first" best friend, Eulalia Suzette.

Suzette was my first traveling buddy. Our first journeys were to each others homes, where we learned that not every family does everything the same way. Our second journey was to elementary school, where we learned that not every teacher taught the same way. Our third group of journeys included occasional trails or adventurous treks off the beaten path but never too far from home. Our after-school journeys were to the stores some of our neighbors established in their garages, where we loaded up on pickles, peppermints, Lemonheads, Redhots, and now-and-laters. As we grew older, our worlds expanded and contracted based on acquaintances, opportunities, or obstacles that came our way.

Educational opportunity led me to college, where I studied language and literature, traveled extensively, and surprised myself by becoming a professional historian. Sadly, Suzette passed away, and her family no longer lives down the street. But memories of the fun times we shared as kids still make this particular girl from Scenic Woods smile as if we ran through the park just yesterday.