~ Growing Without Roots ~

My childhood was amazing and unique. In fact, it ruined my life in many ways. I remember when I was seven, listening to the radio in my parents' room in Australia, eyes closed, lying on the rug with my head on a pillow, the sound of the branches and leaves blowing in the wind outside. I often wonder, is this a dream and am I still in Australia? Will I wake up and be able to do it all differently? Or is this my life and my memories will always be an albatross around my neck?

1961 Boom

In Venezuela, we lived in an oil camp in Puerto La Cruz. We had a beautiful country club with a wonderful, big pool that looked out on the Caribbean Sea. We could see all the ships waiting in line.

One day I sitting at the pool looking at the tankers anchored offshore. Puerto la Cruz was an oil terminal. Tankers would anchor and hook up to the underground pipelines off shore to bring the oil to the refinery. There it was a Phillips refinery. Sometimes there would be 10 or more ships out there.

I was sitting there in a dream and suddenly I heard 2 weird flat booms and when I looked out at the water, 2 of the ships were in flames. Apparently someone had set bombs. Eventually 3 others exploded as well. It was quite a sight and our security increased tremendously after that.

We were sent home about 2 months later, all the families were. I was sad to go. It was a beautiful place.