A Word from your Host

Ok, well we are covering a lot of ground and I thought it would be a good time

for us to take a little break to put things into perspective. Let me begin by raising this question.

What is the purpose of the Simmons Family & Friends blog?

I suppose anybody reading this information can come up with their own good reasons for the blog.

From my perspective as I compile this information I find that I am able to see my family from a different point of view than I did while growing up. Perhaps I am gaining a better understanding of how the lives of my various family members were forged due to their circumstances as they were growing up. As you read about our family you will see that things were not always easy, but we were resistant and we pulled thru.

By writing this blog my hope is that I can have a better understanding of who I am and what I am becoming by understanding the influences of my family history. Also, my hope is that those of us who read this will have a better understanding of one another as we share these stories and raise questions about our history together. Afterall, our family history is the same common thread that each of us share together. And finally, my hope is that each of you will share and preserve these events and stories with the young kids of the family. ...now, let's get back to the action!

I believe the above photograph of me sitting on Santa's lap was taken in December 1955 at the time my family lived in Clayton, Missouri at 7525 Byron Place. I'd be willing to bet that the photo was taken at Scruggs, Vandervort, & Barney which was a department store where my sister JoAnn worked. As you can tell, I was enthralled by meeting Santa Claus. For me it didn't get any better. Certainly, my Mom dressed me up for this occaision.

However, about this time I did return to see Santa on another evening and this time I set out on foot from our apartment on my own. The trip from our home to the department store was about a mile and sure enough when I got to the store Santa was sitting there in his chair. Santa wasn't too busy as I recall because this was later in the evening on a weeknight. I got a good long visit with Santa as I stayed with him until the store closed that evening. He and I had completely discussed everything.

Now I really had to hustle home as my Mom did not know where I had run off to. I started running as I left the store, but I did not run for long as I was hit by a car making a left hand turn from Hanley Rd. onto Carondelet Blvd. near the old Forrest Cadillac dealership. By the time the man driving of the car saw me it was too late. His bumper and my left leg had already made contact. Needless to say, I was laying on the ground on the side of road. The driver got out of his car to ask me if I was OK and I told him I was. As I lifted my self from the pavement the driver asked me if I needed a ride home and I accepted. Afterall, I was in a hurry and so he dropped me off down the street from where I lived. From there I ran home the rest of the way as it was pretty late on this winter evening..

This event was a good learning experience for me as I came to realize the importance of street smarts. My brother, Jack was really good at running the streets and I looked up to him. Before long I would become his understudy. However, going to visit Santa was my first solo trip away from the crib and I made it back home in one piece so I consider it a successful excursion. By the way... I never told my Mom about this until about 10 years ago. My Mom could be pretty stern about these things and I'm sure she would have told my Dad too.