My memory of an old tree now gone isn't quite as sentimental as the rest of
you have so eloquently written, but it's a slow Saturday so here goes:
When I was growing up in Ft. Myers, we had a huge mango tree in our front
yard. I was quite a climber back then, and could make it to the top of old
"Mighty Mango" without ever a fall. I was six at the time, and the little
girl across the street (Marisa was her name) was the same age. We were best
of friends and both of us would climb "Mighty Mango" nearly every day.
One day, while hidden in the thick leaves of Mighty Mango, Marisa and I got a
little curious of what little boys have and little girls don't. Well,
needless to say, one thing led to another. Soon we were playing *Doctor*
almost on a daily basis, hidden from the entire world. Yes, I had discovered
the opposite sex at age 6. ( I know, it was probably later than most of the
list :~)
Anyway, that summer of 1962 we had a horrible tropical storm that struck our
area. The winds were so powerful that Mighty Mango was knocked partially
down. It was so badly damaged, my father had to have the rest of our tree
removed. All that was left was a stump, and I cried and cried.
I know the tragedy of my tree was an act of God, unlike many of the stories
I've read. Still this tree played an important role in my childhood, and I
still think of Mighty Mango. I never knew what became of Marisa, but in case
she's on the JMDL "Hi Marisa! Thanks for our childhood memories, but I'm gay"
:~)
In case some of you think this is another "figure skating" story, your wrong.
I am telling the truth!!!
Missing Mighty Mango,
Jimmy
