Monday, September 19, 2011

The Bronx-You can't go home again-Part One




The Bronx, one of the burroughs of New York City.  I was born there in 1946 and lived there until 1956 when we moved to New Jersey because my father got a really good job there.


The picture above is 264 East 211th Street where my grandparents lived for as long as I could remember.  They did live in another apartment building right down the block but this was built new and was a real step up for them.  The only difference that I can see in this picture, much more recent, is that the trees are much more mature and there is a chain link fence across the front courtyard. Perhaps the sidewalks have been redone in the past 55 years but they are sidewalks that I walked on almost every day of my young life.  
There are so many good memories, some not so good, I still dream about being in their apartment and can describe every room in detail.


Technology today can bring you right into your old neighborhood with Googlemap.  Taking a virtual walk up East 211th Street is a strange experience.  


Right across the street facing their building is The famous Woodlawn Cemetary.  There is a wrought iron fence stretching from one end to the other separating us from the graves.  My mom, my brother and I used to take walks in there.  It was green and lush and, of course, peaceful.  I don't think I ever thought about it being a cemetary - just fun to walk around in.  


There was a park nearby also called the Oval.  Picture below.


It has changed a lot.  There used to be forsynthia bushes surrounding the park making a huge circle of yellow in the Spring that used to awe me.  We went there many days after school.  My mom, my brother, my mom's friends and their kids.  We were fast friends until I had to move away.
Try as I might, I can't seem to grasp that fun feeling anymore.


Picture of Grandma with me in my Brownie uniform and my brother, Peffie (Stefan).  1954.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's great to look back at our roots and remember both the good and the bad times. One of the houses that I grew up in was torn down a few years ago. I see it every time I go to visit my mom. The house is gone, but the memories are still there.

Mechelle said...

Sue thanks for sharing your photos of your former home. Nice seeing your pic of you as a child.

Crafty Mommas said...

what a fun walk down memory lane....

Faith Caroline said...

So neat that you can see it virtually! Hopefully you'll be able to visit in person sometime soon :)

Unknown said...

How lovely to see a bit of your history! Sounds like you have such special memories! Oh, I love ggogle earth too. Especially when you can cross continents to see your days gone by!

Niki Jackson said...

How interesting to look back and see. I think I'll have to go look to see what our old house looks like now lol. Blessings Niki x

Zuda Gay Pease said...

It is fun to walk down memory lane every so often. I love the picture of you, your brother and your grandma!!

Becky K. said...

Oh this was so cool. I've not been to the Bronx so it is neat to see it and hear about it from your perspective and with the memories attached. So much better than just looking at random photos.
Thanks, Sue. I also love this photo of you.

Vintage. You could make cards from photos such as these.....

Anonymous said...

How neat to get to see where you live again. I love the photo of you and your grandma, family roots are so important.

Sue Runyon said...

Very neat to see this, Sue. Thanks for sharing your memories!

Julia Badgley said...

Sue, I truly enjoy hearing your memories. How neat to see a picture again!

Very Verdant said...

Wonderful memories! Thanks for sharing your beautiful childhood!

Sonja

luvncrafts said...

What a lovely walk down memory lane. How fun to see you when you were younger!

Lizzi said...

It's so cool that you can remember details from your childhood like that, and of course have pictures too.

Kelly said...

How cool you can use the internet to walk through your old neighborhood.

sammysgrammy said...

I love the picture of you and your brother with your grandmother. Precious memories........