The Heart of Charlotte Beach Park

STORY:


Charlotte Beach Park in Rochester, NY was one of my favorite places to go when I was a kid. Over the years there were many different ways we used to get there. First was a ride in the family car, followed closely by city bus down Lake Avenue, bicycle, hitchhiking (thumbing), in friends cars and eventually my own ride.

Whatever the mode of transportation to get us there the activities that followed were the same. We would change into our bathing suits in the locker room, pin locker keys to our trunks, barefoot dash through the hot hot sand to set up the blanket or towels, then a dash into the cold clear (relatively speaking) water. Play tag or catch with a ball and do hand stands underwater.

Eventually we would end up walking out the length of the pier that controlled the flow of the muddy Genesee River into Lake Ontario. There we would watch the pleasure boats come in and out, wishing we could be on one of them. The river had a different (ripe and fishier) smell than the lake for sure. We could only imagine what it was like to go so far out into the lake and get an even better view of Canada on the north side.

Usually included in the day was a few rides on the merry-go-round to try and grab the brass ring. There was only one brass ring per ride and whoever was lucky enough to grab it got a free repeat ride! Amazing enough, the ride is still there (ring grab is gone I'm guessing)!

The day would also include lunch at the Char-Pit (steak sandwich) and a chocolate almond custard cone from Abbott's Frozen Custard stand. Both places almost always had a line cued up to get service, but the wait was worth it, yummm! Just try to keep up licking the cone as it melts on a hot summer day!!


E-MAIL:

Hi,
Isn't this sick? Sorry to bother you again, but I have this continuing need to reach out to you all. I really could stop probably, maybe, but not really. I have these thoughts that are spilling out as poems and these notes.
Please know that I am sending these because I love you and value whatever connection we are able to maintain.
I also feel a sense of urgency about keeping our connections alive and maybe trying to improve them some.
I think that I have felt this need to connect much more since dad passed away. Even though I had seen him almost daily since being laid off in 2009, I still miss him and wish he was with us today (of course as his vibrant self).

This poem is about holding on to each other and to our children the best we can. Even through the times we don't see eye to eye. Even if we have to sacrifice or swallow our own pride or "principles" to do so. Someone has to make the move and keep on making the move and reaching out.
OK big bag of wind that I am.
Love ya,

POEM:

The Carousel Ride

05/21/11

How can I reach across time

and spend only a dime

to sit atop a brightly painted horse, a rabbit or unicorn

spinning to the sound of shrill Wurlitzer pipes

on the Charlotte Park Merry-Go-Round.

Close my eyes and make a wish

take my best swipe at the mechanized arm

hoping to snag the brass ring for a charm

can I reach across time and revive

the innocence that lived in your eyes

the promises I made to love you forever

as I held you in my arms my dear

and whispered an endless stream

of hopes and dreams gently in your ear

how can we possibly tarnish this prize

we have spent our lifetimes to realize

we have no room for such selfish things

there are so few turns of our carousel

and no other rings