I was excited to take the kids to see where I lived; where I grew up. See, we have lived in Washington for the past 15 years now. Larry was born here. He grew up here. His entire family also lives here. There are many blessings that go along with that scenario. For instance, Payton has played many a basketball game on Larry's home court at Kentwood. Our children have walked the halls of his high school. They have seen where he lived his entire life before college. This trip to Chicago was, in part, an attempt at giving my family a taste of my youth. Let my kids see where I lived, where I went to school. And so we took our first full day to show them around. And, boy, were they excited! *can you sense the sarcasm?
This was the first house I can truly remember. It is on Mason St, I learned. It is just 3 or 4 houses down from our elementary school. There used to be a candy store on the corner where we would spend our quarters. Our babysitter's house was down the road. Not much has changed here.
Tioga Elementary, Bensenville, IL - Kindergarten, 1st, 1/2 of 2nd
Lincoln Elementary, Palatine, IL - 1/2 4th, 5th and 6th
I didn't take any pics of Walter R. Sundling Jr. High- but we did see it.
And then there's Palatine High school. We actually walked right in, checked out the new color scheme
(no longer orange, but a fitting red and grey).
So here's the parking lot and my class' Senior picture which hangs on the wall now.
Some of my happy kids in front of the alma mater.
We moved to Palatine from Rolling Meadows half way through my 4th grade year. I had just turned 9 years old. This is the condo my parents bought. We lived at 131 W. Brandon Ct. until I left for college 8 1/2 short years later. Lots of memories there. The city of Palatine has really changed. But not our condo. In fact, I that door is still the same brown! Almost wanted to buzz just for old times sake.
And the best part of a day on memory lane was the great visit with old friends. I regret to say that I forgot to pull out the camera until after Jen left but I did get this one picture with Andra. I have known Jen and Andra since we moved to Palatine. Our lives have moved in different directions but how great to sit and catch up! I was so grateful they took time out of their schedules to meet us. It was so fun for Larry to meet them after years of just hearing stories! Good dinner, great conversation - No reunion could beat it. So thanks ladies for making my night, my week, my year even. It is a night I won't soon forget!
So it might be some time before my family gets back to Chicago. It might be a while before I even head back. But my heart was filled with new memories over the ten days we were there. I didn't realize how much I needed to reconnect with my life from way back when. I have lived so far from it for so long, that it almost didn't seem real anymore. There is definitely something to be said for having roots - and no matter how long I've been away or how far I've gone, it's great to know they're still there.
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