Friday, March 6, 2009

Friday Flashback--Good bye "60" And Hello "61"

Sixty One years ago today, I was born in a hospital in Los Angeles, Ca. I spent the first five years of my life in a small bungalow house on East 61st street in an area now known as Watts. Back in the day, the neighborhood was very diversified. My grandma lived in a little cottage three doors down, my Aunt Mary lived across the street. We had an Asian family across the street, Mexican family next door who made fresh tortillas every afternoon and invited me over to eat them fresh off the hot plate. Probably because I stood there drooling from the smell:) A Chinese family lived across the street and a Black family three doors down. I remember it being a lovely mix of people all living together on one small block of this world. I was free to walk in and out of each of these families houses and feel totally safe. I was exposed to so many different races and cultures and I am so thankful that to this day, I grew up knowing that all people are equal in Gods eyes. I was an independent and bold little toddler. I lived in my own little world of make believe and I liked everybody. I picked up stray kittens constantly, wanting to keep them all. I lived with a secret that no one knew and was liked by everyone. I climbed the big fig tree and got up on our roof with my older brother many times. The view from up there was great. Getting down was not as easy as getting up there.:) My ignorance of all things dangerous was bliss for me. So much changed as I grew older and yet, somehow, I am here this morning writing and thinking how grateful I am to have spent all of these years learning who I am in Him. And what He has given me in my life I would not trade for anything.

My grandkids will be here this morning in a few hours and we are going to make "finger jello". I was talking to Isaac about it when he was here Wednesday. He was telling me that his mom made jello and they tried to cut shapes out of it and it kept falling apart. Then, I remembered "finger jello". I made it for my boys all the time when they were his age. It's all about the Knox Gelatin!! I found the recipe in the back of my recipe box, thank God, because Isaac insisted we make it. So today, this is what we will be doing. He loves to help me bake and cook and he will be so stoked to see what we can do with it. It doesn't melt and feels just like gummy worms. It will be a fun day and it looks like the sun will be out today too. It's all good.

Have a wonderful day and a wonderful weekend. I plan to.:)

Love and Hugs, Laurie

9 comments:

Rach said...

Happy birthday dearest friend! :o) What a blessed day it was when you were born.

Enjoy your sweet babies and your special day! Love you and many many HUGS!

Dawn said...

Except for that terrible secret, it sounds like a wonderful childhood on your little street!

Happy Birthday! You've caught up with me for a few months.

So they still make Knox Gelatin? I haven't seen it or looked for it lately. Finger Jello sounds like fun. Please post pictures and recipe so Feisty and I can do it someday. And you know two more will be coming up to "help" Grandma! It's much harder to make cookies or cakes when two are fussing about who gets to do what and the kitchen is way too small! But we keep trying.

Have a wonderful b-day and a blessed week-end!

Linds said...

Happy Birthday,Laurie! Making finger jello with your grandchildren sounds like an excellent way to spend the day!

Your memories of childhood are similar to mine. It was a magical time, back then.

Enjoy your day!
Love and hugs, my friend.

Just Me said...

Happy Birthday Laurie!

I haven't thought about "Finger Jell-o" in FOREVER...but DO remember having it as a child. What a wonderful memory you will create with Isaac today (he too will be able to have a Flashback Friday about spending time with grandma and making Finger Jello--SO fun!)

Have a FANTASTIC day!
Amanda

Lisa Lawrence said...

Happy Birthday and have a wonderful time with your family. Jello Jigglers with Knox - know them well.

Kelli said...

Happy birthday, sweet friend! I hope it's one of the best ever!!

Cathy said...

Laurie,
I am so sorry, I meant to visit yesterday to wish you Happy Birthday! So for today Happy Birthday and hoping your weekend is as wonderful as you are!
Love you my friend in CA!

Angie said...

Happy Birthday, Laurie! I want you to know that I have learned so much from you and I am so grateful that you have shared a part of your story with me. And what a great grand mom you are! Jello Jigglers sound like the best.

Country Mouse, City Mouse said...

I feel so bad! Somehow I missed this. I am so sorry, Happy Belated Birthday to you my dear friend. I hope you had a wonderful day playing with those sweet grandkids!!

I love you!