Writings By Vinni

Hope Circle.  It’s kind of a catchy title.  One would think this post is about hope.  Another would think this has to do with spirituality or a possible group of people who share their enthusiam for hope.  It is not.

Hope Circle is the name of the cul-de-sac that I grew up on as a child.  This street had a patch at the top of a grass circle.  Cars or bicycles would circle around this patch of green to exit out of the street.  About 40 homes occupied this street and people knew who their neighbors were.  My father bought our home when I was 4 months old and relocated the family from Florida.  He was told that the street was named after the daughter of our realtor when the subdivision was being built.  

Hope Circle was a safe street.  Kids played in the road up and down the street.  They rode their bicycles with no worries.  Driveways and the road showcase the artwork of the children through their chalk drawings Cars knew to slow down and exercise caution when proceeding up the street to their homes.  Neighbors knew the kids so they kept their eyes on them.  My yard had a street light at the corner.  We can see this light from anywhere on the street.  Mom always told me that when the light comes on, I was to be heading home or inside the house.  

Hope Circle was a beautiful street during the holidays!  All homes but one were decorated with lights.  Picture windows showcased the Christmas trees.  Other homes had lighted candles in each of the windows that were visible from the road.  Some homes had character lights:  Santa, Frosty, large candle, and the like.  There were no inflatable balloons back then.  Significant snow blanketed the yards. 

My childhood.  Alive on this street as with my brothers.  Neighbors gathered for coffee or picnics.  Neighbors looked out for each other.  My father sharing his harvest from the garden with the neighbors. How I wish I could go back in time just to be on this street and in my childhood home. Life was so much simpler back then. I know I could visit the street but I’m quite sure there are a lot of changes. Enough so that it could tarnish my own memories of the place. Therefore, I leave it alone. Whenever I want to travel back, I just close my eyes and focus on the many memories I have of this road. It sure feels like yesterday but it was so long ago.