When you think of the 1950's many people think of bobby socks and puddle skirts and sock hops and you know, anything that resembles the first Back to the Future movie when Marty McFly meets his teenage mom and dad.
It was a time when new home construction was on the rise and many pre-planned "modern" neighborhoods were springing up all over the country in what became known as the suburbs of America.
It was a time too when newly married young couples were buying their first ever homes and starting families of their own.
The new suburbs were wildly appealing with the latest in home design and the opportunity to live in a community with other families that looked pretty much like their own. This chunk of time in American history was also the time when my own neighborhood and home were built.
The original families of my neighborhood formed a tight community, kids played for hours in each other's back and front yards, neighborhood traditions were begun like 4th of July, Halloween and Christmas celebrations.
Moms and dads and kids all became friends and memories were made and good feelings attached to the 'hood.
As the years went on some neighbors stayed the same, some neighbors moved on, new neighbors moved in and some of the original kids moved back to raise their own families.
Although the neighborhood has changed pysically over time the things that have remained contant are the camaraderie and tradition that was originally initiated. This camaraderie and tradition was, is, and forever will be the heartbeat of Forest Brook.
We feel blessed to live in this neighborhood with such wonderful friends and traditions like the annual Christmas tree lighting.
It is a place in which I am happy to be able to raise my girls where they will have wonderful memories with friends that will last a lifetime. Those memories will be a part of the history that will continue the heartbeat of Forest Brook for generations to come.
1 comment:
Oh, how I remember those days in my 50's neighborhood! All of what you said is exactly the way it was, and you, Amy and Howie, did the right thing when you moved into your beautiful Forest Brook neighborhood! I am so glad that Emma-Caroline and Sophie are growing up in such a wonderful place and will have those memories! I believe in neighborhoods ... and more than, "It takes a village." ... I think ... it takes a neighborhood!
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