Feels Like Home To Me...

The dismantling of 86 years of a life well-spent is a long, thoughtful process.  The past thirty days have been filled with my big brother by my side, sifting through our history and our mother's before us - an irreplaceable experience.

While my life is imprinted on beautiful Vashon Island in the Puget Sound, my roots are deeply planted in La Jolla, California.  Growing up as a third generation La Jollan, I have a deep love for the once, sleepy little village by the sea.  My maternal grandfather was Postmaster of the La Jolla Post Office; my mother’s La Jolla High School history teacher was my principal; my physical education instructor coached my oldest son.  Back in the day, a stroll down Girard Avenue was met with familiar faces and warm greetings – now there is but a small contingent of “old La Jollans” left.

My dad likes to tell the story of mid-1950, when one could buy a large lot a block from the beach for $1500.00.  These same lots, some with the original ‘50’s homes on them intermixed with pint-size mansions, now command seven figure prices.

My grandparents, practical, family-oriented Norwegians, built their home in La Jolla Hermosa next to Windansea Beach, now a very tony address Gregory Peck once called home.  My folks built their first home in Bird Rock, a tiny beach community just south of La Jolla Hermosa.  Ten years later, they purchased a corner lot on the cliffs overlooking La Jolla Shores.  This is where my dad built my mother's “dream house”.  There were very few homes on the hillside at the time.  The few neighborhood kids all ran in a pack.  We played on the native landscape among downed ancient Oak trees, barrel cactus, fossilized sea life, skunks and rattlesnakes.  It was an incredible place and time.

When the University of California at San Diego broke ground this all rapidly changed.  Our once wild and exclusive playground became a sea of custom-built homes, bringing astronauts and academics, concert pianists and oceanographers with them, enriching my life experience even further.

My recent homecoming, though filled with sadness, is really quite bittersweet.  For the faded memories of my youth seem crystal clear today – with them comes great joy and profound gratitude for the bountiful beginnings of a wonderful life.

View of La Jolla Shores and the hillside where my family home is located...

La Jolla Cove breakwater...

La  Jolla Cove "Children's Pool" - now home to the very odiferous seals and pelicans...