I took grandson number 1 on a field trip a few
days ago. We went to my hometown and I showed him where the first house that I
remember was. It is now a restaurant parking lot. Across the street was the
Methodist church where I went to kindergarten. My grandmother’s house was down
the street about a block away.
Next I took him to the site of the first Hispanic/Latin
Assembly of God church of which my parents were founding members. We did not
get to see the site as a train was blocking our way.
My grandson got to see the elementary school which
my siblings and I attended. It sure wasn’t as big as I remembered it. The school
has gone through such a transformation. There are all kinds of buildings that
have been added for a growing population.
There is also a great demographic transformation. While
my siblings and I were the only students of Mexican descent, 100% of the
present student body is either Mexican or of some other Latin American
parentage.
The school seems to be doing quite well as it has exemplarily
status.
The ride to the old homestead was not quite the
same as we were in a car. I would have liked to have walked the mile home so he
could experience that. But, now, because of all the child predators and other
freaks, I realize that may no longer be an option.
Finally we arrived to where our first home had
been. It was literally across the tracks. I told him of how we lived in a
street car the first winter we were there. The street car was on the property
when we move in. The whole area is now an industrial area.
I get disgusted with all the people with cable TV,
cell phones and on well fare. My parents did the best they could without any
help what so ever. But, that was 60 years ago. We didn’t have a daily drum beat
reminding us of how bad off we were and how we deserved better at someone else’s
expense.
I hope my grandson got a better understanding of
his dna and that life must go on.
MADD MEXX
