Friday, February 25, 2022
Lisa and I met in 4th grade. We were 9 years old and became fast friends. I was always at her house or she was at mine. The Barnby family welcomed me with open arms, as my family did with her. The entire Barnby family played a very important role in my life for many, many years. Most of my Tween and Teenage memories revolve around the entire Barnby family. Lots of great memories.
We spent a lot of time playing barbies, roller skating and riding our bikes. As we got older, we would go to the local roller-skating rink, giggle like teen-age girls and look at boys. Those were the days!
Lisa and I spent many hours swimming. We invented this weird way of swimming together – we’d wrap our legs around each other and somehow lock our feet over each other, (we were VERY flexible back then – LOL), and swim laps, on our backs, up and down the pool. Actually, now that I think about it, it was a type of Team/Trust Building maneuver! We relied on each other to keep us afloat. If one of us failed, we’d both drown! LOL We spent many hours during the summers playing in the pool, drinking lemonade, and as we got older, working on our suntans and listening to music.
Lisa was a little more adventurous than I. She loved to spin – I would twist her in a swing at the park across the street from her house – AND LET HER GO! – she loved it! She loved riding the scary rides like the zipper at local carnivals too – I would watch from below, LOL.
One Olympic summer day, we got on the 6 ft brick fence at my house and pretended we were walking on a balance beam like the gymnasts were doing in the Olympics. She was so daring. She tried to do a cartwheel on top of the fence! I remember she fell off the fence many times. She had scrapes all up and down her body from sliding/falling down the fence in her “attempt” to be like Olga Korbut. She finally landed one! My parents quickly put a stop to that! LOL
Lisa volunteered/worked at Pioneer Living History Village for a time. Not sure how/why she worked there as it was an hour drive each way for her parents. Does anyone know why they did that? I’m guessing her parents knew the owners, or something. Didn’t think about it much at the time but I am now curious to know how that transpired. It was a long way for her parents to travel. I went with her a few times. We wore long, pioneer dresses with petticoats and bonnets and churned butter. We felt so important and pretty! LOL
We rode her parents Bicycle Built for Two (we named it “The BB2”) all over our neighborhood and down to the local 7-11. Coolest invention, EVER! People would honk and wave to us as we rode all around. It was a blast!
She loved to horseback ride. Our parents would take us to ride at the Papago Park Stables. She always wanted her own horse and was in her element when riding. She loved it!
So many memories were made during those wonderful, innocent years. I could continue to go on and on and on for hours. As I reflect over these memories today, my heart is filled with love and they bring a smile to my face, and a tear to my eye.
Words cannot express the sadness of her loss that I feel in my heart, but I will forever cherish the wonderful memories we made together. LOVE YOU LISA!
Rest peacefully, my dear friend. Until we meet again.
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