The hedge that enclosed our side yard seemed too tall for me to jump over. But every summer morning, I took a running start and cleared the hedge on my way to the rec center across the street. No one could figure out how I hurdled that hedge—even when they stood there watching. But IContinue reading "Hurdling Hedges and Finding My Voice: A 1970s Miami Summer"
My First Cars in High School and College
For the first two years of high school, I took the bus to school. It was fine because I had good friends in my neighborhood, so we rode together. I wasn’t thrilled about how early we had to be at the bus stop. I’ve never been a morning person. Other than that, it wasn’t soContinue reading "My First Cars in High School and College"
Getting to Know My Grandma Eunice
I wish I could have known my grandma (my mom’s mom) much better. I knew her as well as a little kid could. I just wish she had lived till I was older. I would love to have shared grownup conversations with her and learned more about her life. Her name was Eunice LaSenius Washburn,Continue reading "Getting to Know My Grandma Eunice"
View from a Glass Box: Transit through Sweden 1988
In my senior year of college, I did a semester abroad at Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza in Poznan, Poland. It was January to June 1988, about a year and a half before the Berlin Wall fell. The new wave of uprisings in Poland had just started. It was a rough time and place for thisContinue reading "View from a Glass Box: Transit through Sweden 1988"
How Our Family Experienced World War II
I was born in the late ’60s, so obviously I was not around during World War II. But my parents were. My dad, Bill Gillis, never talked with me about the war, although I know he served in the Coast Guard in Miami. He was 26 years old when America entered the war. My mom, JoyContinue reading "How Our Family Experienced World War II"
Childhood Summer Vacations
You might wonder where people who live on a Florida beach go for vacation. The answer is simple: They go to a different Florida beach! I grew up in Miami. It was very different from the Miami of today. It was quieter, less crowded, calmer. Absolutely beautiful. I grew up in paradise, and I knewContinue reading "Childhood Summer Vacations"
When Rain Came through Miami
Growing up in Miami, I got used to storms. Fast ones. I could smell the rain coming. It was a distinct scent that clung to the screen door. A storm was on the way and would arrive within minutes. In the summer, we could count on a daily afternoon storm. It blew in quickly fromContinue reading "When Rain Came through Miami"
Favorite Playground Game When I Was Young (1970s)
This is the story of how volleyball started out as a game I didn’t like, and it turned into something I loved. In elementary school, we had physical education class (phys ed or PE) every day. I didn’t like the class. Both coaches acted mean. They didn’t teach us basic skills. And they favored theContinue reading "Favorite Playground Game When I Was Young (1970s)"
Mom’s First House
When I was very little, we lived in Biscayne Park, and we would go to visit my grandmother, Eunice, just a few minutes away in North Miami. Sometimes I would stay over at her house on Friday night and spend Saturday with her. I always loved spending time at her house. It wasn’t until IContinue reading "Mom’s First House"
Wish I Could Have Met My Grandfather
I wish I could have met my grandfather on my mom’s side. I understand why that didn’t happen. But I wish it could have been different. When my mom, Joy, was five and her younger brother, Hal, was three, their parents (Eunice and Edgar Washburn) divorced. My mom’s dad moved from Miami to West PalmContinue reading "Wish I Could Have Met My Grandfather"
Exploring Generations 