{ Memory Lane }

I've discovered something I know I knew already especially from first hand experience--People love to stroll down memory lane....wait, I should capitalize it....Memory Lane. There that makes more sense because I believe it is a real street and not only do people like to stroll down it, but, some run full force down Memory Lane as if they had been lost and were so relieved to get back to their starting point again. Others like to stand on the corner of Memory Lane and Progress Blvd and appreciate the view.

I started a Facebook group called "You Know You Grew Up in Glenbrook Valley When..." and "You Know You Went To St. Christopher's Catholic School When..." and they have taken off like thoroughbreds out of the gate. They have each quickly grown like a chia pet into a really nice collection of nostalgia; each post and memory jogging someone else's memory and it all unfolds like the plastic photo holder in the wallets people bring to reunions. It's surprising to see which memories seem to be amongst the more treasured ones (although each memory is a treasure) such as when all of us remember digging for crawdads after a hurricane or storm in the eastment behind my street. So many of us remember when our post WWII neighborhood was the highlight of the Christmas season as so many cars back then would create a traffic nightmare as they cruised through our street to see the Christmas lights on our modern mid-century homes. Our lives in Glenbrook Valley were a collage of playing outside til the street lights came on and the scent of dinners being made wafting through the streets. Interestingly, many of  today's prominent well-known and loved chefs and restaurant owners grew up in Glenbrook Valley. It was a great place to grow up. A true slice of American Pie.

The other Facebook group, "You Know You Went To St. Christopher's Catholic School When" has been like digging up a time capsule with friends. Gosh, how those memories come flooding back! I went there from kindergarten to 8th grade, as most students did, and didn't realize how much I remembered and how much I'd forgotten until I started reading posts from fellow friends and classmates from St. Chris. Some teachers stick out in our memories more than others such as the dreaded Ms. Horton who was like that scary teacher in the book, Miss Nelson is Missing. Others we remember fondly like Mrs. Houlihan and her collection of owl necklaces and Mrs. Branch who read us a little bit of James and the Giant Peach each day and we'd lay our heads on our cool desks and listen. And, we all remember the hot lunches....ohhhhh, those yummy hot lunches made daily by some of our moms.

 Another thing I know I knew already, but, was reminded of when I started these two groups is Memory Lane looks different for each generation. The current generation won't remember the Eagles grocery store and how most families bought their Christmas trees there or how the chips and dip from Casa Ole were the best in the area.

The current students at St. Christophers won't remember that we were once called the Travelers and our mascot was the Roadrunner. Nor will they remember Ms. Maddy, our custodian, and how we'd all wave hi and holler, "Hi, Miss Maddy!" and she'd stop her mopping or sweeping and wave back making us feel special.

In full, we have our valued and often comical memories of those times individually and collectively. I have no doubt Memory Lane is paved with yellow bricks and sometimes it is nice to click our heels and return briefly to those times when there really was No Place Like Home.

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.