A Growing City

    Glendale is my hometown. It is where I spent my glorious youth and where I grew up. In my grandparents’ neighborhood, I would go trick or treating and would sit and watch the colorful fireworks of July. This place and its people have always been a constant in my ever-changing life. It is where I feel the safest. Only here in Glendale did my grandfather have his barber salon.

 

    I remember spending the day with my grandfather; I would sit in the back room while customers would come in and out. All the while when I peeked my head in to see him, his customers would ask, “Al, is that your grandson?” My grandfather would lovingly reply, “Yes, that is my grandson, Vincent.” My grandfather soon grew ill and these wonderful days soon ended. He had to give up his beloved shop and his profession.

 

    There were other places here in Glendale that has such peaceful memories. There is a Denny’s nearby my grandfathers’ house. I can remember all the dinners where all of my family was in attendance. My grandmother loved their pancakes. I can even remember one instance at this restaurant in which I snuck up and surprised my grandparents when we needed to find them and get the key to our house. I was so close to them and they didn’t see. They didn’t see until I made my presence noticed.

 

    Glendale is the town to which I grew from a small child to an adult. This is the place where I would run to catch the bus and ride to the elementary school. It was here when I began the long journey to the University. I grew up with all these people. This is the city where I had my first crush. This is where I saw the difference between good people and the indifference of others. A former neighbor, Pat, used to give me a lift to the high school. Her daughter and I grew up together. As long as I can remember, she had spent the same amount of time as we did. Glendale is the salvation of the harsh world of school and youth. Whenever, I had problems with people and bullying me, I always knew that this place would never turn me away.

 

    This place inspired me to become an engineer. This place gave me the opportunity to study under some of the most caring teachers that any state could offer.

 

    Even now, as a university student far from home in Tucson, I long for my return to my home, to my friends and family. I will never forget my humble beginnings here in Glendale. While the city changes as well as the people, my memories of long ago remind me that this will always be a part of who I am. It will always be safe and it will always be mine.