"If I Ever Felt Groovy!"
By, Cheryl Harwell Bailey

Life has a way of taking us away,
 from our extended family.
 We grow up, start building our own lives, 
move away, and lose touch. 
I haven't  seen some of my cousins in years. 
You may barely see them, 
but if you grow up together, 
they will always be a part of you. 
They stay in your heart.

When I was 13, my older cousin "Gary" had it "goin'on."
 I thought he was so cool! 
He had a hot car, 
a beautiful girlfriend, he later married, 
and he was so handsome.

"Hey Cheri,
 you wanna go "crusin" with Cheryl and I?"
 The sweetest words a 13 year old could ever hear.

 So the 3 of us squeezed in the front seat 
of his hot rod, blasting KAFY radio.
 Rockin' out to "The Beach Boys" singing 
"Little Duce Coupe." 
If I ever felt "groovy" in my whole life, this was it.

 But it got even better. 
(I know, great grammar)

 As we approached the famous "Chester Ave,"
 the street itself seemed to be "dancing."
Sittin' pretty I hoped all my friends could see me now.

 I still think Bakersfield had the hottest cars and music.
 Just small enough in 1966, 
and just far enough away from L.A. 
 Innocent fun simply driving and listening to rock & roll,
 with other teenagers, showing off "Muscle Cars."

My Grandkids!

I think she adores her cousin!

Hey, where's my iPod?