A CHILDS MEMORY

Growing up was an adventure for me. My mother was a drug afflicted hippie. So there had never really been a dull moment. I can't say it was the safest or healthiest of environments for a child. But it was the hand I was dealt. There were definitely some adventures. My mother was kind of a nature freak and was always quite daring. I used to say "If there was a no trespassing sign she was there ". I always had a choice come or stay in the car. One time she pulled over because she saw a broken down fence, a trail and of course a no trespassing sign. She said come on, I reluctantly followed. We came to a cave. I looked down and saw bear tracks in the hardened mud. I was only about eight but even I could comprehend that the tracks led in but not out. Needless to say I went back to the car and about 15 minutes later my mother returned with her curiosity fulfilled. I was never really worried about her because to me she was invincible.

OK, now for the real tale. We lived in the Los Angeles area and would often visit the L.A. Zoo. One day while leaving My mother heard a noise. We were almost to the car when my mother stuck her head in some bushes, then her shoulder, waist deep then her butt just disappeared! Being only about six and not wanting to be left alone in the parking lot. I quickly followed. It was like walking through a dense jungle. My mother was pushing branches aside. As I ducked, bobbed and briskly climbed over branches to keep up. She just knew there was some adventure waiting on the other side. I was amazed! I would have given anything to see my face when we reached the other side. She found the old L.A. zoo. It was overgrown and no longer in use. No kidding it was like a fairy tale, an abandoned city. Arched ways created by overgrown vines. Many rock walls covered with moss, cast iron cages which many were wide open. Giving the feeling that all the animals had escaped or something. Much to our surprise there were still some animals left there. In one cage there were a pack of hyenas the noises they made were spooky. In another cage there were several monkeys. It was really quite sad. There my have been more but I refused to go any farther. Of course being the animal lover my mother was she wanted somehow to rescue them all. Knowing my mother she would have found some way to start a ruckus. I quickly assured her that they were well taken care of. I'm sure they will soon go to the new zoo. And we were sure to get in trouble if we were caught there. Although twas all said in scared little six year old terminology. Amazingly enough she agreed and we were quickly on our way.

My memories my not have always been fond ones as a child. But I experienced more then most children at that age. I've been so close to a GINOURMOUS rainbow that I felt that I could reach out and touch it. With colors so vivid I could not put into words while walking up steps that were somehow attached to a giant mass of rock mountain. With huge water falls to were it was just a mist all around us. I've slid down natural rock water slides covered in moss that led to a deep pool of water deep in the deep mountains that took miles of walking to get to.I definitely was not a sissy la la. Life is taking the good with the bad. I have good memories and some filled with sorrow. But that is what has shaped me into the person I am today. Hopefully thats a good thing!