back in time

I was sad today to find out that the mascot of my elementary school, Dilworth Elementary, is NO LONGER A TROLLEY. I loved the trolley! Now they are apparently the Dalmatians. Not that Dalmations are bad, but they can't really hold a candle to the trolley. I do not know when this sad sad change took place, but I am sure that all other Dilworth alums would be equally upset if they knew this! It's funny because every time I go back to Charlotte things are different. Condos on East Blvd, a new light rail line soon, skyscrapers going up "uptown," Bobcats arena, now the trolley mascot.

Remember Wad's? That was the best place ever with the red hot dogs and 3 cent gum. Other random Dilworth memories... Hopping rocks in the creek in Freedom Park. The building with the long eyelashes. Walking to friends houses in the snow. That time the sledding was icy and perfect from Lilac to Cumberland. Riding the school bus the first day and it broke down. "Hey Old Granny" at the bus stop. Walking to Avondale for a coke and basketball cards. Learning to ride a bike on the old concrete skating rink. Standing on top of the collapsed picnic shelter after Hugo. Selling lemonade as people walked down to Festival in the Park. Forts and tennis ball wars between our house and the Utseys. It's funny that I remember certain things so clearly. Today I talked to Dad and he was talking about doing hill climbs for exercise. I remember when I was climbing hills at the park with him a long time ago and we walked around a puddle. "I know that you're not a little girl anymore" he said. "Why?" "Because when you were little you would have walked through the puddle." The farther away I go, the more I realize how lucky I was to grow up where I did, when I did, with the family and friends I have. :)