Summers in Florida by Lisa Wysocky

I’m not sure who knows this, but the Wysocky’s spent a good chunk of time with the Kamolnick’s in Hialeah. In my head, we went every summer, but I’m not sure if that’s the case or not. I know some nights, the boys would watch David and I, and some nights, my mom and dad would go out and Aunt Marion and Uncle Sid would watch us too (so I guess the boys always got stuck with us!). I can see my mother and father, and Marion and Sid going out in Miami to some nightclub (I think my dad always talks about a night where they saw Kenny Rogers perform), drinking scotch and having a good time. Real 70s nightclubbing in my head. I can just picture my dad hamming it up and trying to look Cuban.

In my head, when we were with the boys alone, those were probably the best. Back at the house, I remember playing a game where Bruce and Paul would just body slam both David and I onto their beds in their room. Over and over and over and over again. Paul is 10 years older than me, so if I was 6 and David was 8, then Paul was 16 and Bruce 14. I’m sure this was not the activity if all the adults were around.

Hanging out with them was ALL we wanted to do in Florida… going to their house is a constant good memory from being a child. There was life on Long Island, and there were summers where we went to Florida and saw Aunt Marion (ok, and the mouse…)

I remember their dog Trixie, and Bruce playing the piano and asking him to play Charlie Brown over and over again. I think Bruce got a moped, and he took both David and I for a ride. Of course, clumsy Lisa burnt her leg on the moped. I’m such a dope. I still have a scar on my leg.

I can remember the layout of the house, and the backyard. I also remember Paul being so cool, bringing his guitar to our hotel pool and singing songs to his girlfriend.

I remember meeting Herman (who my father to this day calls “Herman the German” was he even German?)

I know they came to the mobile home park we stayed in one summer and visited us in the pool!!! (come on, this was the 70s…it was cool).

I know there are many stories that are going on this website about the older generations and how they lived and the bonds that grew. I also think it’s important to document the bonds that happened in the next generation, for they are just as strong, and equally as important.

Our summers with Marion and the boys helped shape both my brother and I. Maybe Bruce was inspiration for my brother to take up the piano…maybe I can see Paul’s political views differently because of how my own mind got shaped by him when I was younger. Who knows? That’s all too deep. I guess the most important piece is how much joy they gave me and my family in those summers.