Funny how life works. In the past maybe 5-7 years, I have been 'reconnected' with many people from my past, thanks to super information highway. It has just seemed as though my life had come full circle and people from my younger years. It's been a real treasure to be able to catch up and see how these people's lives have turned out.
The irony of this situation is that I've come full circle, and 'may the circle be unbroken'! Two of those people, after reconnecting, just seemed to 'disappear', with no obvious explanation. Both, after over a year of no responsive communication, I went on line to see what I could find (new email, other sites, etc.).
What did I find? Yep, their obituaries! I even found my cousin's (step family) husband's obituary. That's what happens when families all go their own ways after parents and grandparents are gone!
I could go on and on about my long time friend, Marsha, but am still a bit in shock. So, for now, I want to share an article that she wrote about her teenage years in southern California.
The irony of this situation is that I've come full circle, and 'may the circle be unbroken'! Two of those people, after reconnecting, just seemed to 'disappear', with no obvious explanation. Both, after over a year of no responsive communication, I went on line to see what I could find (new email, other sites, etc.).
What did I find? Yep, their obituaries! I even found my cousin's (step family) husband's obituary. That's what happens when families all go their own ways after parents and grandparents are gone!
I could go on and on about my long time friend, Marsha, but am still a bit in shock. So, for now, I want to share an article that she wrote about her teenage years in southern California.
My Surfin’ Surfari
Everybody's surfin' now, Everybody's learnin' how, come on and surfari with me!
Marsha O'Lynn (Sidwell) Fronefield
I was thirteen, and the Beach Boys, our local “house band” was blaring from every radio station. Doing homework, I’d hear it, practicing the piano, I’d thump out the bass. I was in junior high, and my Dad was dating Phyllis, who later became my stepmother.
Dad showed up one sunny Sunday afternoon in his long, large 60's wagon with the racks on the top, and four surfboards. In the wagon were Phyllis, a lovely dark haired woman, Dickie and Shari, who later became my stepbrother and sister, and Ron O'Dell, the cutest, blondest, blue eyed "older" guy, (he was 16). I was skinny, and wore braces, and everytime I got out in the sun, which was as often as possible, my freckles just bloomed.
That day, though, I knew my father would marry Phyl, and I was happy for him. She obviously worshipped the ground he walked on, and they made a handsome couple too. Nothing that profound happened with that hottie, Ron O'Dell, however. I was too busy surfin', I guess I had caught "the bug." Surfing, for me was "the great escape.”
I had learned to bodysurf at "the wedge," a daunting feat for any kid, let alone, a girl.
The waves were huge, and the rip current was nasty if you got carried out too far...and you might even drown. I figured I could control a board though. I had never water skied, I
always drove the boat. Surfing was new and exciting, and most girls sat on the beach, looking pretty.
I was at that 'tween' age, not quite a girl, but certainly not a woman, so I learned to surf. I fell a whole bunch of times, but I'd skinned my knees so much skating (and twisted my ankle before I got the hang of it on ice), I didn't much care. I knew if I went enough I'd learn to catch waves, and I did.
That day at Dana Point stands out, however, as an absolutely perfect family holiday. Phyl had packed a picnic basket full of goodies: sandwiches, chips, sodas, and her brownies, which she called "the big '0" (I didn't find out 'til much later what THAT was).
It was sunny, early afternoon, and because there was a storm somewhere, but not where we were, the waves were three foot, and “glassy” (waves where there is no wind. 00 Perfect!) the best surf to be found. We went to Dana Point frequently for family surfin’ surfaris’. In the late 1950's and 1960's surfboards were long suckers. Mine was 10" 6". It was like riding a log, and you dripped candle wax on the deck so you wouldn't slip.
Here's a bit about my friend, Marsha. This is what she has been doing:
Marsha Sidwell is Abortion Alternatives Information and Services, Adolescent Counselors, Adoption Agencies and Services, Marriage and Family Counseling, Pregnancy Counseling and Information Services company,Tel is 530-546-1394 / +1-530-546-1394,Local at ,South Lake Tahoe,California.Get in touch with Marsha Sidwell with contact details include tel,fax,address etc.
