Watching generations grow

Yesterday was the 4th of July and our block once again hosted it's block party. We have been doing this since 1976 (every three years, except for one earthquake year which had us skip that year so 5 years passed). We close the street, decorate, hang banners and have an old fashion party with a snow cone machine and popcorn machine. We have the usual egg toss and water balloon toss. DJ and square dance caller and a community dessert table. But this year offered even more for me. My older son and his family have moved on my block and after remodeling their home and moving back in a week ago they hosted their friends this year. He lives on the West side and I am on the East. There is always a tug of war where East vs. West. My son lived more on the East side but yesterday he was on the west. I was sad and tried to protest his move to the "wrong " side but to no avail. His kids even stressed that he was on the right side now. They taunted us for weeks and guess what? In a 2 out of 3 contest the East one and we let everyone know. We are older and clearly not in the greatest shape but our younger teenagers brought friends and we clobbered them. Once they said ringers were allowed I knew I was in the biggest competition of my life. I have lived in my house for almost 40 years and we have dominated over the years and the tradition is saved even though my son switched sides. It was amazing to see the second and in some cases third generation sharing this memorable day and continuing the tradition. My guests who were new to this party couldn't believe what goes on in the 1900 block. Our street sits in Los Angeles proper. It is 6 miles from the beach, 1 mile from Beverly Hills, and 13 miles from downtown. It represents different cultures and different ages. Our oldest member is 85 and lives in the house she grew up in and our youngest is 9 months and one soon to be born. It is a neighborhood where every neighbor knows who lives around them and shares in the celebrations of joys and sadness of death (we just lost a 95 year old resident).It represents the best of a neighborhood and when they say this can't be done in Los Angeles, we do it. We now are seeing our kids have kids and the third generation grows. I love my street and have enjoyed every day I have spent on it. But I am happy int he knowledge that this tradition will go on long after I have left this earth and my son will get to experience what I felt yesterday. A great day, indeed.