She loved roses. They were planted next to the patio. Beautiful pink and red roses. I would walk by and smell their sweet perfume. Then, I would notice white rocks next to them. Concrete freshly poured and a heart drawn in the concrete before it dried. L.S. + J.S. (Lucille Smith + John Smith), were the initials in the heart. The initials were for the two in love that could finally make their 1964 home what they always wanted. I walk past the roses and notice the green yard. It used to be full of stickers and wish willows in 1964. Now the grass was green. A teeter ball pole with a rope and a ball hangs proudly as a memory of the past. I still remember the crochet games. The badminton in the backyard. The peaches and lemon trees. Then I remember that I was the one elected to help dad with yard work back in the 70’s. I didn’t worry about getting dirty or my hair blowing in the wind. So, I got to help when work needed to be done. Now it’s time for some iced tea or koolaid. I sit on the patio. It is shaded and has a screen around it. There are pictures from Worldbook and some mom found from shops. There is also a big beanbag where we used to go “kerplunk” when Kevin and Christopher were little. There was a grill where dad would cook hamburgers. A ping pong table was in the center of the room. A fake grass rug over the concrete with white stucco walls, screened porch, a swing, and ping pong. The California heat would come in from the screen. Dad was a champion player of ping pong. Everyone, including Joan, Christopher, James, and Iwould try to challenge him. It was a time to bond. A time to compete. We were so young and so innocent. This was our world. The world outside was broadcast by David Brinkley or played on our radio stations. A simpler time still lives in my memory.
