Day Street

When I was about two years old, my family moved to Day street in Alexandria (across the Red River from Pineville, where I spent the first two years). My mother and father purchased the house on Day street after looking at another on Elliott street which was also in the "Garden District" of Alexandria. Apparently, the one on Elliott was on a corner (busy one) so they didnt like that, even though that house was nicer. We moved into the Day street house. I don't actually remember that (the moving) but I can now visualize everything about the house, from inside to out. Most people, I think can do this about their own house so it is not unusual. The house is still there, but my mom has moved on to an "independent living" facility. She is on the second floor and has a few "sitters" who stay with her during the day hours. She also gets her meals there. She has now been there for about six years but still talks about her "house" on Day street.
There were lots of kids around on Day street. I already told you about John and his young life and his untimely death at 20 years old. Across the street from my house was Ricky Melder's house. He lived with his Grandmother, and a sometimes Dad who drank too much. His Dad worked for the railroad and now Ricky does the same. Douglas Mahfouz lived around the corner from me. He was about a year older than me but was a good friend. He left school after the eighth grade and eventually worked as a parts person in an auto parts store. He passed away a few years ago. He must have been in his fifties when he died. His sister, Barbara, worked with me in my present job and she told me about his passing away. Not long after she told me, she also died--suddenly. I think she had heart problems. They also had other kids in that family. Angela was one. She was a "girlfriend" for a short time when we were very young. It was a "holding hands" sort of thing then. She is still with us and I see her sometimes usually at the Mall. Chris Burch was another friend. He now lives in Lake Charles (I think)..have not seen him in a long time. He was also a good friend. We all played football, baseball, etc. together either in the street or a local ball lot. We also used a lot across the street from me called "JB's lot". There were many friends then and I will mention some of the others in the next post.