These pictures were taken during one of our neighborhood 4th of July celebrations we had every year when our kids were young. Teri was 10 and Cindy was 6. Teri won first price for her portrayal of George Washington in the annual parade. Cindy was Martha, but no prize. Possibly that’s why she’s pouting. They were on our front lawn, and I have no idea what all that stuff was hanging behind the girls. Something relevant to the occasion, I hope. We had a very unique neighborhood. We lived on a cul-de-sac for about 15 years and everyone was friendly with everyone else. We had neighborhood parties celebrating New Year’s Eve, 4th of July, Thanksgiving . . . whatever. The men all disappeared during the day to their work stations, and the women would stay home and do what was necessary in the house. I’ve forgotten what all that was – I never liked housework. But we women always had time for coffee or a glass of wine together. I don’t think there are any of those cul-de-sacs like ours left in this day and age which is a pity. We weren’t like “Desperate Housewives” or “Swingtown” – at least I wasn’t aware of it if we were.

Cindy had a buddy, Randy, who lived down a few houses. He’s in the other picture dressed as I’m not sure what . . . possibly a sailor? I don’t know if he got any prize or not. I’ve written about him before and always call him “the doctor” as he and Cindy played with my used syringes when I was giving myself allergy shots. They played with the ones I used when I practiced on an orange; they shot up a rubber doll that later turned black and very ugly. Randy had a big brother, Tim, and a big sister, Janis. Bob and Ruth are their parents, and we became very good friends. Bob made homemade ice cream every 4th of July for all the parade watchers – he’d crank the handle for hours and the ice cream was out of this world good! Some of the men would drink too much beer, so after everything was over, the women would drive up to an all-night restaurant with the half-awake men. We’d all go in and have breakfast. The women would eat and have a good time, and the men would usually fall asleep in their chairs. What a goofy bunch we were, but we had fun.

When Teri graduated from high school and I was divorced, Cindy and I moved away from the neighborhood to an apartment, but I always kept in touch with Ruth and Bob. You don’t let go of good friends like that. I don’t see their kids anymore as they live in different cities as do my daughters. But last weekend I went across town to visit with Ruth, and all of her kids were there – Tim, Janis and Randy (the doctor) with their spouses. Randy doesn’t have a spouse right now, but I hear he has a very nice girlfriend. It was so good to see them after all this time. They all looked just great.

I miss those times when the girls were growing up around their friends there, and I’ll never forget the cul-de-sac living. You meet many people during your life, and not everyone stays with you. But during that time, we met Bob and Ruth who are very special and continue to be a couple of my closest friends. That will never change.