SUNDAY MEMORIES
Judy Wills
When I was a small child, we lived in Dallas, Texas. My mother’s mother and father lived in San Antonio, so it was probably a short ride (about four hours in today’s time) for a trip to visit with Granny and Grandpa. I have many pictures of my brother and me in Granny’s yard. They lived in the country, so there were lots of animals – particularly peacocks, cats and dogs. Interesting times.
Mother told me once that, as I was sitting on Granny’s back step, they heard me scream and then cry out. When they rushed to see what was the matter – they discovered that the peacock had plucked my peanut butter and jelly sandwich out of my hand, and I was furious!
San Antonio has a lot to offer – whether you are living there or just visiting. And we 
found that one of the best zoos in this country is in San Antonio. I actually remember visiting there often. Remember – we moved from Texas to New Mexico when I was just four years old – so that is a long memory! But one memory that has stayed with me for a very long time, is the elephant ride we took. I have pictures of my brother and me on one of the elephants.
While I don’t know whether or not the San Antonio Zoo still offers those elephant rides, I do know the zoo was still offering elephant rides when our girls were young and we were living in San Antonio. I have pictures of both our girls – along with me – on an elephant ride. I’m not sure Janet remembers that ride – she was pretty young – but I’m pretty sure that Karen does.
Apparently an elephant ride isn’t such an uncommon event. Fred’s sister and her husband took a trip to Africa not too long ago, and they took an elephant ride, as well!
It’s always been interesting to me just what my mind has stored away. But it only takes a comment, or a picture, to bring an event back into focus. And the elephant ride of my childhood stands out as a grand event.
Old Things R New 