Treasured Memories

When our son Tony married Lucy, they went to live in Strathmore with Lucy's parents for a short while and later moved into a cute apartment. In 1973 they decided to come back to San Diego.

They came to live with us in our home at the Bayview Mobile Home Park. My mother lived by herself in a mobile home across from us and they later moved in with her.

Tony started working at a men's clothing store and later got a job as a bus driver for the San Diego Transit. They soon bought a lovely two story home in Lakeside and Lucy worked at the California First Bank in San Diego.

On April 1st, 1977 our Precious Grand Daughter was born and they named her "Andrea". When she was a few months old, Lucy went back to work at the bank and I had the honor and privilege to take care of her while her Mommy was at work.

We had a very nice home in Alpine on two and a half acres set on a hill overlooking the Indian Reservation across the highway about a half mile away and from our drive way we had a view of the ocean.

I have so many sweet memories of those hours I spent with my "Little Precious" grand daughter. I remember having a cassette of all the songs that Julie Andrews sang in the movie "Sound of Music" and our little Andrea would sing all the songs along with it and never missed a beat. She was so cute!!She knew all the words to the songs. She never ceased to amaze me. Then I would turn on the TV to watch Jack LaLane's exercise progrom and Andrea would do all the exercises he did.

We had an adorable Golden Retreiver that we named "Cleo". She was such a calm dog and whenever Andrea came near her she would roll over on her back and Andrea would sit on the dog's stomach and pet her.

One morning I went out in the garage to start my laundry. Our washer and dryer were out there and I heard a click, so I went to open the kitchen door and it was locked. Andrea pushed in the lock button and I panicked and thought "Oh my God, how am I going to get back in the house and my little grand daughter is all alone in there". I told her to turn the door knob but she couldn't do it, so I went out of the garage side door and walked over to the sliding glass door that was between the kitchen and dining room and I called her to come by the door and asked her to get the chair that was up against the kitchen counter, pull it down real slow and lay it on the floor. Then I told her to drag it over to the door and pick the chair up again. She did everything perfectly! Then I asked her to get up on the chair and pull the door lock up and push the door open. Then she unlocked the screen door and I was able to come back in the house.I took her in my arms and loved her all up and praised her for following all my instructions.

Andrea was such a joy to take care of and it broke my heart when Tony and Lucy decided to move back to Strathmore. When they came over to say goodbye before they left, I sat Andrea on the kitchen counter hugging and kissing her but I couldn't hold back the tears.

After about two weeks of crying and missing my little precious grand daughter, I couldn't handle it anymore. I called my former boss at Walker Scott and asked if she would rehire me and bless her heart, she did. I couldn't bear to be at home alone every day without my Andrea

I remember Lucy telling me that when I sent a little note to Andrea, she started reading "Dear Little Precious" Andrea said, "Oh, I know who it is".

I enjoyed all those days you spent with me Andrea, and now thar you're all grown up, married to an especially nice young man, I wish you and Chris all the best in life.

God bless you both with many, many happy years together.

Happy 30th birthday, My Precious !