The Skateboard

Since  it is Tea on Tuesday, here is a scene that I would love to be inside of- since my thermometer reads 10 degrees (maybe even 9!) at 7:30 am!

                                                                                          Photo courtesy of LINK

Today, I would like to share a childhood memory that came to me while sipping my tea………

When I was a kid, skateboards were becoming the “in” thing to have. I remember a neighbor, Pam- I would like to think she was a friend- but really I think, most of the time we were frenemies.

Seemed like Pam had everything. She had a St. Bernard named Bernie, some bunnies in a hutch out in the back yard. She was popular- having grown up in the neighborhood I had only recently moved in to.

She was the doted on baby of her family, got everything her heart desired- in my child eyes.

Her grandma made clothes for her dolls and trolls. I did get Pam’s grandma to make a nitegown and cap for my favorite stuffed bunny (I still have it somewhere!) She probably felt sorry for me- and I am sure I was a pest!

Pam even got boobs before I did – and probably a boyfriend- and to show off that blossoming figure, had a brown madras dress I so coveted!!!!

Pam and I would play together, walk the ” balance beam” on the white board fence that edged her yard, put secret notes to each other in a tiny cubby in the fence post, and rescue baby animals together. When her rabbit had babies, I got one – named Joey, and my grandfather built him a wonderful hutch.

But, I digress…….

When the neighborhood kids started to get skateboards, Pam, of course, got the best one ever!!

Her dad had a great wood shop in his garage. He made this beautiful polished wood aerodynamically shaped skateboard that was the envy of the neighborhood – and ME!

I know I must have begged her to ask her dad to make me one – but she did not. In my mind, she loved to lord it over all that she had the best dad AND the best skateboard.

My parents knew how much I wanted a skateboard, and set about making one for my brother and I.

Dad did not have a wood shop, and was not that proficient in that area, as far as I know. But, he and my mom were talented roller skaters- so they had that going for them.

My mom was artistic- and they put together these skateboards and painted them for my brother and I.

Of course we loved them, but I’m guessing I did not appreciate them as much as I should have – being a kid that had been bitten by the green eyed envy monster.

My skateboard was “merely” a rough plank of wood- probably slightly larger than a 2 x 4- with roller skate wheels and painted by my mother. I think the paints were from my father’s model airplane paints – one of the boards was painted silver with a black arrow. Dad attached a little eye hook at the end, so the skateboard could be hung in the attic storage when not in use.

I know I spent endless hours riding that board down my street- but it in no way compared to the aerodynamic wonder Pam’s dad had crafted. Kids are cruel, and I know I did not appreciate what my parents had created for me- as I do now!

I still see that skateboard in my mind’s eye, and wish I still had it – when I could have passed it down to my kids. But, my son had a store bought skateboard- very modern, aerodynamic, and expensive. I hope he appreciated it back then, I think he did.

It is still in the basement – he won’t part with it…..