Echo Park Ese

I have to admit that my only real reference to Echo Park was from the movie Mi Vida Loca.

So one weekend while we were exploring around Los Angeles we decided to head over and see Echo Park for ourselves. It was nothing like the movie. East LA is now taken over by hipsters. They have moved in and cleaned up the area. Echo Park is a beautiful place where lots of people in suspenders walk their dogs.

We walked around the entire lake. The girls enjoyed singing to the ducks. They each brought their sketch books and took some time sketching the lake and any duck that would stand still long enough.

We had such a beautiful day walking the lake. Even with Phi getting sick towards the end of our walk we had a nice afternoon and not one "Sad Girl" in sight. It was nothing like I imagined.

But Life is Just a Party, and Parties Weren't Meant 2 Last

Rest In Peace Purple One

Joey could not understand why I was so sad about the passing of Prince. How could I be so upset about someone I had never met before. I couldn't really explain myself but I thought about what he said.

Now maybe it's because I grew up in the 80's and was a teenager in the 90's. Or maybe it was because my Pops was a musician and my Mom loved Rick Dees on KIIS FM. But music was always a constant in our house. Pop music was very much alive and well in the Gomez house. And just like my sister Ouie was drawn to pop stars like Cyndi Lauper and Boy George, I was drawn to stars like Michael Jackson and Prince.

When I listen to Prince songs now (like I have been doing all day!) I am always shocked at how provocative or sexually charged his songs were. I was probably about Louie's age when "Little Red Corvette" was released and I LOVED that song, but I honestly thought it was about an actual car. I had a lot of revelations like that when I listened to all my favorite childhood Prince songs as an teenager. So I can truthfully say that it was the music that made me fall for Prince as a child. Him, his music and his movies were a big part of my childhood and of course it was my childhood that made me the person I am today. Because music was so big for me these musicians feel like they played a significant role in helping me find myself. So even though I never met Prince, or even saw him in concert, the loss hurts.

Over on HerMamas.com today I am talking about some of my favorite memories that involve Prince's music. From parties with my friends and family, to my first concert and even falling in love with Joey. You can read all about it by CLICKING HERE.

9

Cousin Roman,

It has been 9 years since you passed away. This morning I woke up thinking about you and trying to picture what the family looked like in 2007. We were still a big family then, but we are even bigger now. We have been so blessed to add new people to our circle. Some people through marriage, others through long-term relationships and of course new babies. Oh how you would have loved all the new babies. I know in my heart that you had all these little souls with you in heaven before they came to us. I know you told them all about us and helped bring them to us safely into the world. Thanks for that. Thanks for taking care of our Ellie Jess and sending her to us. We love her so.

Today is still a tough day for us. It never gets easier. I do my best to send love to your brother and sister. You must be so proud of them. How awesome was it when Arnie got into 805lide? And it's it so nice to see your sister so happy. Her BF is sweet, kind, and patient with a 1000 watt smile. He reminds me of you in those ways.

There is some comfort that you are with Tata now. I hope you two are making up for the lost years when you were there and he was here. I hope that you are together watching the family grow and love and connect with each other. Have a good time celebrating the day of your birth tomorrow. We will all be celebrating you!

I hope you know how much we miss you and how family pictures will always be missing you in them. You are my family and I love you so much,

Love Your Big Cousin,

Elissa
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