E
Elvira, AuntieMy great aunt Elvira used to visit us fairly frequently. She was one of those adults that give you hope for the future when you’re a little kid. She took an interest in the people around her, whatever their age. She wanted to know what we were up to and then later, after she left, she would send little packages of articles and artifacts she had picked up that she knew you’d like. The last time she visited I was in high school. I came home from a used book store and showed her a very old kid book I had bought. She said, “Oh I didn’t know you liked old books.”
I answered, “I didn’t either. But I guess I do.”
After that, she would send me old books from time to time. One summer day after my senior year, I bought a copy of Pickwick Papers. I wanted to read it on my big summer trip. On that same day I got a package from Auntie Elvira. Inside was an extremely old copy of Pickwick Papers. My sister Joy thought this was unbelievable and did a lot of exclaiming about the wild synchronicity. I didn’t think much of it. Unlike Amy Rosenthal, I’ve never seen much magical in weird coincidence, but now, so many years later, the whole thing does seem kind of amazing. I wish I could talk to Auntie Elvira again. She’s one of those people you don’t stop missing.
Comments
I never really liked deviled eggs growing up. Kevin's mom always would make them for family gatherings. She knew I did not like mayonnaise, so she would make like 4 of them especially for me, without mayonnaise. I felt like I HAD to eat them, and would always take one. I still don't really like them.
N
jw
I said, I can't believe that coincidence! And, I love the name Elvira. Perfect for an aunt.
Apathy -- One of the many things my mother gave to me through example was an interest in politics, especially on the local level. She volunteered for several different political candidates and, as I child, I accompanied her. When I was in college I did a lot of voter registration. Fellow students would refuse to register claiming that they just weren’t interested in politics. I never understood that comment and all its implications. And it wasn’t until much later that I realized it was my mother’s influence that kept me off the apathetic path.
Bounty -- the backyard kind. Cooking and eating food that you’ve grown in your backyard is just so satisfying.
Canyons -- Some of the best summer vacations involve canyons. Traveling to the canyon by car, rather than air, is preferred.
Des Moines -- This past January I went to Iowa City to visit my brother. After that I met my mother’s step-brother (step-uncle?) and he drove me from Iowa City to his home in Des Moines. The last time I saw this uncle was about 35 years ago. But I recognized him immediately and we talked with ease and a familiar intimacy during the ride across the state. Every detail of that drive to Des Moines remains in my memory.
Elgar -- The older I get the more I listen to classical music. An early purchase was a recording of Jacqueline du Pre playing a cello concerto by Edward Elgar. The music makes me feel mournful and exhilarated.
I've recruited 2 more for the challenge, if you want to add them to the blogroll. I pretty much forced one, so thought you should know:
Jamie: www.bencebetwixtandbetween.blogspot.com
Joel: www.toosquaretobehip.blogspot.com
It says outside on the blog that I have 3 comments, but in here, in comment land, I see I have many more.
I'm so glad Cynthia's joined us. yay hooray.
And Gina, I'll add the pals.
I just napped. Now I can't wake up.
Freezing, fireworks enfolding fog. I know it's foolish for folks in the San Francisco Bay Area to complain about weather but yesterday the high in Berkeley was 58 degrees, the day before that 57 degrees. I'm just saying.