Locust StreetThe sweet taste of cookies from the gentle little lady next door, Mrs Adam’s, or the waving to random people as they drove by are some of the many memories I can recall while thinking back to growing up on locust street. Who would have thought that growing up on that street could influence the ways that I live and act so much? The constant changing people and scenery on Locust Street helped me develop into a young man that knows how to treat others and also how not to act. It all began about 14 years ago when I took my first step into the house that I would call home for the rest of my childhood. When I was very young I didn’t focus on anything else in the area besides our new home. Little did I know that not only what happened in that home, but what happened in the neighborhood would change me into the man I am today. I remember growing up in the tall, white, house that only had one shower. This was a big problem considering we had a total of six kids and two adults in the house. When trying to learn to be patient, having one main bathroom with eight people sharing it seemed to do the trick. I was also the youngest of everyone in the house so that usually meant that I was last for things such as the bathroom or getting to watch my shows on tv. I remember the friendliness of all our neighbors too. The brittle, little, old lady from next door, would always talk to me and tell me how much I was growing. Her name is Mrs. Adam’s, and she actually still lives in that same house surrounded by trees and bushes to this day. Mrs. Adams was one of the many friendly, good-natured, neighbors we had. We had several others who would bring over the sweet desserts or invite us over for their delicious barbeques. There was one family that lived directly across the street from me in the tall, wide, blue house that I became very close with. I would go across the street every day to play with my best friend, Hanna Howard. She had older siblings that would play with us, just as my older sister would too. Hanna and I were best friends through a lot of my childhood. Playing with her everyday and becoming so close was what taught me the value of true friendship. As I grew older and my family started reaching the ages where it was time for them to move out and live on their on, I had to learn how to let them go and do what was best for them. Every time it happened it was never any easier of a time. Not only did the people in my house leave, but one day I found out that my friend was also moving. It was hard to see all the people I cared for so much leaving, but my mother would talk to me and usually calm me down. My mother was always there to comfort me when I needed it. I could and still can tell her anything that is troubling me, and she always finds ways to make it feel better. She taught me that even though events happen in life that we don’t necessarily like, life will still carry on. Not only did my best friend leave, but with time, we had many changes in who lived in the neighborhood. We experienced more good-natured people, but we also experienced people that you wouldn’t really want in the area. We had a fair amount of people who liked partying, loud music, and other random obnoxious acts. Seeing how they acted even after being told politely by others to calm down taught me how to act and respond to others. I never wanted to be like the neighbors that no one wanted around. Over time the area has changed more, but it's a more stable neighborhood at the moment. Plus I learned how much our neighbors truly cared when my mother got in her motorcycle accident, by coming over and helping tend to her. She was hurt pretty bad and they would pray for her and brought food too. That taught me How much little contributions can change people's lives and make them feel better. I learned a many life lessons on the hilly road of Locust Street that turned me into the man I am today. I learned how to truly be patient and that places and people in life change, but I have to learn to push on. I also learned how not to act. If I were to go back in time, I would do it all again. |