Thursday, January 24, 2013

Is That Really Me In The Mirror?!

Pondering today . . .  

B a l a n c e
 
When we were young, my sisters and I always looked forward to our family trips to Pacific Ocean Park at the Santa Monica Pier.  It was the next best thing to Disneyland, and we loved it!    I think those were the times most in the car when we'd be saying, over and over, "Are we there yet?!!"    It wasn't a very long car ride, but it seemed to take forever!   We could see the park before we got there, and the anticipation and excitement mounted!   Once we were parked and out of the car, there was no stopping us!   The rides!!    There was at least one ride that seemed to go way out over the ocean.   From the top of the ferris wheel you could look out over the Pacific and see forever.  The roller coaster was to die for.  It was so much fun!  

But, for some reason, the thing I remember the most vividly was the house of mirrors.  You've probably all been in one.    The crazy mirror maze, each mirror distorting your reflection in a different way.   Which reminds me, I need to go shopping for a mirror that distorts my reflection to make me look tall and thin!

So, I guess my pondering takes me to this - - the rides at POP were so much fun, they made us dizzy and lose our balance and laugh and create memories which have lasted . . . well, they have lasted a lifetime.

And I am really grateful that my parents created balance in their busy lives . . . creating good memories for us kids which will never be forgotten.

Now, off with you!   Go create some memories!!

35 comments:

  1. i keep forgetting you are from SoCal. That must've been a lot of fun. We had the yearly Barnstable County Fair each summer, and there was Lincoln Park in New Bedford too. I don't think I could ride those rides anymore though.

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    1. I'm not sure I could ride some of those rides anymore, but I'd be willing to give it a try!

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    1. Even after all these years, it's still a great place!

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  3. My dad worked long hours with only rare days off, but every summer, he would take us to the state fair, and it wasn't until I grew up that I really understood the sacrifices he made to do so. He was creating that balance you talked about—and lots of wonderful memories. :)

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    1. It was a sacrifice for our parents, I'm sure, to spend time with us. Which made it much more meaningful.

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  4. Childhood memories are awesome! I have so many, I'm really blessed.

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    1. I have so much fun sometimes just thinking back to my childhood! I feel really blessed as well :)

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  5. Memories are what keeps me going.

    Thanks for sharing your memories with us.

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  6. I went once 100 years ago for a birthday party or something I think. I remember the roller-coaster going out and over the ocean. Scared the pee out of me, I have not been on a roller coaster since. My son just moved to SM, when I visit I think I will still stay clear of the Roller Coaster!

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  7. So many points that you bring up here, Judy. I think that families from a different generation (the further back we go, the better it gets) had more Balance. They were better able to manage Work and Play. And they understood the importance of the Family Unit. Those families built memories. Some were Bigger like trips to POP and others were nights spent playing board and card games together. There are some families that still make time for each other and do things Together. But, it is the exception now, rather than the norm. Kids are more interested in the IPads, IPads, IPhones, Internet. If it doesn't start with "I"... well, forget it.

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    1. So true, Robin. I know lots of families who still spend lots of good family time together, but I think those are, like you said, more the exception now. So sad.

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  8. I can remember the "family trips" too. Those were the days.

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  9. haha i love this---robyn has a full-lenght mirror that makes one look pounds thinner---i was so sad when i realized this-----great post--wonderful memories and life lessons from you childhood :)

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    1. I would stand and sit in front of that mirror forever! I'd eat in front of it, sleep in front of it, you name it! haha

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  10. I remember POP as well.... and then it went away and I was so sad. Those rides and the everything about that little park had the perfect balance!

    Thanks for pondering with me!

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    1. I think it's still there. Or at least, a semblance of it. It's called Pacific Park (no more Ocean) and has rides and everything!

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  11. The problem with my earlier life - the unbalanced part - was that I thought the fall was half the fun.
    Well, sometimes it can still be, like with fun rides, but mostly now I am glad to have my eyes firmly fixed on something still.
    Great take on the prompt!

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    1. I was fearless when younger - - loved the falls!

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  12. I love the idea of a make me appear tall and thin mirror! Great post to Brenda's prompt and thanks for sharing your childhood fun!

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    1. I'm going shopping for the mirror - - I will try to get them in bulk because so many of you want one as well :)

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  13. Wonderful post Judy! "Make good memories" is one of my favorite expressions and you've just illustrated perfectly why that is... kids remember those fun times, my kids remember things from when they were amazingly young, and I do too! The most important role parents have is just that... parenting, it's the job that yields a lifetime of rewards. Yay for your parents, I can tell from your words what a good time you used to have going to the POP! :-)

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    1. Fewer and fewer parents are parenting these days. Sad. I remember the simplest things from way early in my childhood. They make me smile. You sound like you are a great mother!

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  14. By the way, if you find a way to order one of those "tall, skinny" fun house mirrors, please order one for me too!! :-)

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    1. See above - - I am going to buy them in bulk!

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  15. I loved this interpretation of the balance theme. Well done.

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