I just love this picture and the memories that flood back to me each time I look at it.
A few years ago on a lovely sunny Sunday we took a drive to the place where I spent my childhood. It felt amazing to be here again after 44 years. It felt especially strange as so much has changed for me.
For a moment I travelled back in time, I could see the young girl that was once me, walking to the shop which was just a few doors down from number 82, I remember playing in the park across the street with its huge trees that shaded the twisting path that ran the length of the park. I had mixed memories, sadness and joy as I miss that little girl, she had dreams that will now never be fulfilled. I wished I could retrace her foot steps and walk where she once walked, retrace the steps she took to school each day, the short cut she took through the hospital grounds, where her imagination ran wild and she would conjure up ghosts that came out in the corridor's, as she would run through screaming, hearing her voice echo in the tunnell that ran beneath the hospital, yet she did this each day to test her bravery.
I still remember the Hill immediately across from our front door, Mum always said we were never to go over the otherside as it was dangerous and something bad would happen if we did. I still do not know what is over that hill. (In those days children actually did what they were told. or was that just me.)
We took a drive down the main street, now that had changed; it now has gift shops and trendy cafes and restaurants where trend setters sat so as to be seen by other trend setters having lunch or they would just sit and sip caffe' lattes at small tables out on the sidewalk.
There was no longer a place for young families in this neighbourhood, sports cars lined the streets where once station wagons were parked. Well groomed poodles and small lap dogs had replaced the family pets.
The old buildings remained standing creating new memories for all the people who choose to dwell within them.
I will be interested to return to see the changes in another 20 years, I wonder what it will be like then. Will the families be back I hope so. that would be nice.
