Her idyllic childhood in Brandon provides a blueprint for how her son will be raised in Valrico.
By STACEY GRAHAM MULRENIN, VALRICO
Published May 2, 2003
My wonderful parents still live in the same house in which I was raised, and visiting them as I do usually once a week, I'm always grounded in delightful memories. I lived the ideal childhood in that house in the heart of Brandon on North Larry Circle.
My brother, sister and I enjoyed a variety of neighborhood friends close to our ages, whose parents socialized with ours. The street was ours, from four-square games to riding our bikes or roller skating down the paved road that curved 180 degrees at the middle.
Growing up, the seasons each took on a life of their own.
In spring, we could hear from our house the strains of cheers from South Brandon Little League, where my dad coached and my brother played baseball.
Occasionally, we could even hear the loudspeaker blaring from the concession stand, informing a patron that his or her corn dog was ready! Summer brought swimming at the Brandon Swim and Tennis Center and the annual Independence Day parade. On the sidewalk in front of our house, my buddies and I had the best seats for the fireworks that were put on that night by the Cultural Center (now known as Center Place).
In the fall, it was back to school. It was a comforting feeling knowing we could walk to Nativity, where my siblings and I attended first- through eighth-grades, and be safe from cars and strangers.
The Novemberfest was another noisemaker, but we all listened gleefully to the barking of the game workers and the whine of carnival rides. The winter holiday season was wonderful, culminating with our annual neighborhood block party on New Year's Eve. Almost every family attended, bringing warm potluck dishes and sparklers to share until well past midnight.
When I married, my husband was sweet and wise, declaring that a "girl needs to be close to her family." He agreed to live in the area. We settled into a house on an older Valrico street that bears a close resemblance in look and feel to North Larry Circle and we never intend to move.
Our almost-2-year-old son has a large back yard in which to run free and kick balls. Recently the county installed a sidewalk, which provides a safe path where he will learn to ride his bicycle. There are other children his age just a few doors down, and I anticipate that he will spend the next 16 years palling around with them.
Our neighbors are dear people, always eager to lend an egg or an ear.
Both Brandon and now Valrico have seen their share of enormous changes and growth during the 32 years that I have lived here, but I still could not find a better community.
