So Long, It's Been Good . . .

This is the house across the street from where you once lived, ninos. It is Art and Julie's house. When you looked out your front window, or the window of your playroom upstairs, this is the house you saw every day. The people scattered on this lawn are there to say good-bye to you and Mame (your mama). It is May 2009 and you are about to get into Car Grey (Nonna's silver van) and drive 2500 miles across the country to the East Coast summerhouse. And so on this day, many friends and neighbors are gathered to share a meal and give you hugs and kisses and farewell gifts and to wish you safe travels.

I won't try to name everyone, Mame can do that for you. I think it will be a little sad for her to look at these pictures, but someday you will be glad to have them. They will help remind you of your ability to make friends and keep them in your heart, even when they are far away. And when you return to visit Grandpa John and Grandma Bling, you can also visit friends from the old neighborhood.


This is Mame's good friend. She has a daughter your age, Weezie, whose name you remember, and a little boy almost the same age as Little Clam. They lived two blocks away.

Julie is in this picture, along with Neighbor John. Your dad is friends with these men. Weezie played with their children, and Little Clam was just getting old enough to join in when you moved away. They are nice men and good dads.

I know you remember this woman, grandchildren. She and Julie were among the first to draw your mama into the neighborhood and make her welcome. You called her Granny sometimes, and she supplied you with good food, wonderful books, and a view of her spectacular flower garden that your mama loved. I remember her as a very savvy woman and a selfish part of me wishes we could have been friends beginning fifty years ago or so.

This is Granny's son with his fiancee. Andrew was a good friend to you and your parents. It is hard to characterize people, but Andrew had lived in this place his entire life, and he was a remarkable resource to your family. Friends like Granny and Andrew and Julie and Neighbor John are rare and precious. Words do not allow me to tell you what all that means, you will have to discover that yourselves as you go along.

Julie is another of your friends who is impossible to characterize. She was always warm and welcoming, even when we were clearly imposing. I know Mame misses her as do I.

Here is the Tree Lady. Ask your mama. The TL epitomizes the hard work and character of so many people in this neighborhood, working to keep the life they know and enjoy from changing suddenly for the worse. Constant vigilance by an aware few is one price of happiness for the oblivious many, grandchildren. We'll talk more about that.

Another of your mama's friends with her younger daughter. She lived across the street and down two houses. She is your age, Weezie.

Your dad was pretty sad in this picture, ninos, because he had decided not to go with your mom and it would be awhile before you would see him again. But he is with you now, and you are in your new apartment, and your lives are moving along with exciting new places to go and new people to become your friends. And even though old friendships may fade the longer you are apart, it is good to remember our friends, and how we felt about them. Those feelings remain part of us. They help us to know who we are and what we value.  They help us grow.

I love your tiara, Weezie. It was the greatest. I am sorry it got broken but maybe we can find another one that you like as well. See you when the leaves turn green, grandchildren.