Wednesday's Walk down Memory Lane

When I was in elementary school, I attended H.G. Hill Elementary, which is now Hillwood Middle School. In those days it was not uncommon for me to walk with friends to school, as it was only about the distance of 6 blocks. My mother was a stay-at-home Mom, and was very actively involved in my sisters and my school. She was a “clinic Mom”; she volunteered at extra-curricular activities, and made sure to be in the know always. There was a strong sense of security in that for us. However, in spite that, every time I heard a siren of any type pass by the school, I HAD to go to the office and call home to make sure my Mom was OK. To this day, I have no idea why that was of such concern to me. Perhaps because we lived so close by in a neighborhood setting, I just “knew” that, if a siren was in the area, it had something to do with my Mom. It was horrible to live with that type fear. Also, many afternoons my Mom would pick me up from school. In those days we had an old purple car (my sisters and I called it “The Purple Bomb”), a Plymouth of some sort I believe. I was horrified that, when Mom picked me up, my friends would see ME getting in THAT car. I used to beg her not to pick me up and spare me the embarrassment. Didn’t work! And one last elementary school memory: my best friend, Sandra, and I usually walked to and from school together. She lived across the yard from me on another street, and our moms had mapped out the route we were to take to and from school. One afternoon we were strolling along, deep in conversation, as always, and decided to take an “alternate route” so we’d have more time to walk. Mind you, we KNEW where we were and where we were going all along. What we DIDN’T know was just how long it was taking us to lollygag our way home. Meanwhile, our mothers were scared to death; they had both called the school, they had gone out looking for us in their cars, and could not find us anywhere. Can you guess what their next MO was? They called the local Metro police department. About an hour after we were due home, here comes a police car. He pulled up to us, rolled down the window (that’s in the days when it was safe), and said, “Are you Lisa? I said, “Yes, sir!” Then he said to my friend, “Are you Sandra?” She replied, “Yes sir!” He went on to inquire if we knew what time it was and that our mothers were worried sick that we were not home. Of course we had not even pondered those questions. Next thing you know, we were put in the back of the police car and taken to our respective homes! I don’t remember the consequences once I arrived home (if any); but I can guarantee you one thing; that NEVER happened again!

Please click on the "Wednesday's Walk" link on the right side bar if you would like to read other people's memories and/or would like to join in the fun!