Memories: Bronx, New York

The first, snowstorm of the year arrived last night and continued until noon, today. Altogether my part of the state got about five inches of snow, which is very little for this area for January.

But seeing the freshly fallen snow brought back some nice memories...

When I was between the ages of six and thirteen years old, whenever there was a heavy snow fall and I didn't have school, my friends and I would grab our sleds and head for the local sledding spot in the neighborhood. It was a hill located just off the corner of Watson and Morrison Avenues in the Soundview section. The hill also bordered the potentially dangerous Bronx River Parkway where fast moving vehicles would zoom past us.

For many of the kids in my neighborhood this unnamed hill was a popular winter hangout. We had our snowball fights, too. But we had them everywhere. The hill however was mostly for sledding. And there were different spots where one could ride off from. The younger children would wisely opt for the sections that had only a slight decline, while the older kids would take their chances sledding from the steeper sections.

I definitely burned a lot of energy during these days having to haul my sled uphill after each run. Then, when I got back to our apartment my Mom would always make me take off my soaking wet clothes. She'd usually have a cup of hot cocoa with melted marshmallows waiting for me as well. Great memories of a time long past.

D. B.