Some of the happiest days of my childhood weren’t about big trips or special events. They were about something simple—packing up a lunch, spreading a blanket on the grass, and spending an afternoon together as a family.
It was the late 1960s and early 1970s, and our favorite spot was Carondelet Park in St. Louis. We didn’t need much—just sandwiches or maybe some fried chicken, a blanket, and the promise of time together. My parents would load us up, and often both of my grandmothers came along. Their voices, laughter, and gentle caring were something only a family can create.
I can still see the park: the rolling green hills, the shade of huge trees, and my sister and me running across the grass before the picnic blanket was even smoothed down. We made up games, chased each other, and wore ourselves out under the summer sun.
Behind us, the grown-ups had their rhythm—pulling food from the picnic basket, chatting easily, and laughing at stories only they shared. Every so often I’d glance back: my grandmothers in their dresses, my father stretched out, my mother smiling. And yes, I sometimes eavesdropped on their “grown-up” talk. I didn’t have words for it then, but the warmth of those moments has never left me.
One landmark I always noticed was the old house on the hill. I learned later it had belonged to the Lyle family, among the first to live on this land in the 1700s. Back then, it simply seemed mysterious—a reminder that the park had stories much older than mine.
Sometimes we visited Suson Park too, with its animals and fishing ponds. That felt like a real adventure—watching goats, horses, and pigs, seeing ripples on the ponds, and imagining the thrill of catching a fish myself. It wasn’t far from home, but it felt like another world.
Looking back, I realize those picnics weren’t just outings. They were moments that shaped my childhood. We weren’t searching the Internet for entertainment or scrolling for the perfect spot—we were simply together. Three generations, connected by love, laughter, and the comfort of familiar places.
And that’s what made those days unforgettable
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