My family lived in Texas for three years – corresponding to ages nine through twelve for me.
We lived in a large, planned community carved from the desert and centered around a lush, 18-hole golf course. The neighborhood was full of children. My memories of the time are full of rosy images of playing Ghost in the Graveyard until the grey overtook the sunset and parents called us inside. Almost all my memories of our time in Texas take place in the summer dusk. Yes, Midland was my Mayberry.
I learned to ride a bike without training wheels just before my family moved to Texas. I saw nothing wrong with training wheels, but my dad tricked me into compliance by telling me that no one in Texas had training wheels. My desire for conformity outweighed my desire for stasis.
In Texas, on summer evenings with no threat of school the next day, my mother and I would take long bike rides through our neighborhood. It was just the two of us, and we generally kept a pace that let us talk the whole time.
We’d play a version of Twenty Questions. One of us would think of a famous person only reveal their initials (I’m sure I picked “ST” as my famous person more than once). The other one would then get twenty yes-or-no questions to determine the identity of the initial-ed person (e.g., “Did she tap dance?”, “Did she have ringlets?”).
One time, my mother and I were on the exact same wavelength. She picked “MM” and I immediately guessed “Mary Martin!” We must have recently watched the live version of Peter Pan. Mom told me she thought I was going to guess “Minnie Mouse,” so I felt very clever indeed.
Sometimes, if we needed to stop and rest, we’d pick the wildflowers that had crept under the adobe fence that separated green lawns from the desert. In Texas, wildflowers grow to the size of houses. I remember sunflowers the size of salad plates.
My sister never came with us on these bike rides. These times were strictly Mom-and-Helena. (Mom-and-Kerry had their things, too, so don’t shed a tear for l’il sis). The time was truly precious, then and now.
Sarah says
They were special for me as well..
Sarah says
They were special for me as well..
Will's mom says
What a sweet memory.
My friend that lived next door tous ( when I was little) was from Midland,Tx. Her father was a pilot for Continental Airlines. All the while she lived next door she yearned to go back to Midland. And guess what— She moved back to Midland after she graduated from Highschool. ( back in the dark ages). She is married and lives on a ranch.. and JUST bought a huge windmill for their yard–with the Flag of Texas on it! Midland MUST be wonderful….You have great memories….
Will's mom says
What a sweet memory.
My friend that lived next door tous ( when I was little) was from Midland,Tx. Her father was a pilot for Continental Airlines. All the while she lived next door she yearned to go back to Midland. And guess what— She moved back to Midland after she graduated from Highschool. ( back in the dark ages). She is married and lives on a ranch.. and JUST bought a huge windmill for their yard–with the Flag of Texas on it! Midland MUST be wonderful….You have great memories….
Kerry says
This is a really sweet memory Helena. I love those times, that don’t seem all too special in the moment, but they make such a lasting impression.
Kerry says
This is a really sweet memory Helena. I love those times, that don’t seem all too special in the moment, but they make such a lasting impression.
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