Sundays in my childhood

 

I have many memories of how Sundays were as I was growing up. I believe I was about seven or eight when Sunday was usually a trip to West Warren. The day started early with a breakfast that consisted of scrambled egg, toast and coffee. Yes, I started drinking coffee at an early age. I can still remember the sound of the coffee perking on the stove and the smell of freshly brewed coffee.

After breakfast we would pile in my dad’s old Chevy for the trip to West Warren. The trip was over what is now Old Warren Road. We called it the bumpy road. It was really bumpy at that time and it went up and down like a roller coaster. There weren’t many houses on the road back then and we all would pick out a house and call it our own. I remember my house was a trailer and my brother's was a house set back off the road in the woods. My dad would sometimes pull over to the side of the road and would say ‘We’re out if gas’. We believed him the first few times and would wonder how we would get home since it was always a deserted section of road where he stopped. I think I inherited his love of practical jokes because I still pull some on my own kids.

The first stop of the morning would be our Baci’s house. A few facts about my Baci. She was born in 1884 in Poland. She immigrated to the United States in 1908 and came to Ellis Island at the age of 14.  She lived in a two-family house with her daughter Lizzi, Lissi’s husband Joe, and Lizzi’s daughter Mary Jane. We would usually find Baci in the living room in her rocking chair. She would have a glass of blackberry brandy and my dad would join her with a glass too. ‘Best Medicine’ she would say. When I got older, I was offered a glass too. The house always smelled Polish specialties. There was usually pierogi, golumpki and kapusta. If it was around Easter or Christmas there would be more food including babka bread which was delicious. Baci also had chocolate covered strawberry candies which were offered to us.  We never left hungry from Baci’s house. Baci taught herself English but she and my dad would often speak in Polish. I have more to add to this post and will update it soon.

 

What's going on

  I haven't written much lately but a lot of things have been going on in my life. About 4 years ago my partner Susan was diagnosed with brain cancer. She had been having trouble with one of her legs and none of the tests showed anything wrong with it. The doctor decided to do a cat scan of her brain and that showed she had a tumor that was malignant. She was operated on it and they said most of up was removed. She then had infusions to try to control what was left. Unfortunately, she couldn't tolerate the treatments and her overall health declined. After being in the hospital for gastric problems, she passed away in October 2020. I knew that this outcome was coming but it still hit me hard. I'm much better now but I still miss her. I continue to live in the house that we purchased.

The next major event in my life involved my mom. She turned 98 on August second, 2022. Her health had been failing and it was very difficult for her to move around. She did manage to stay in her home though and enjoyed the many visits and help from her family. Sadly, she passed away on New years day, 2022. I will write another blog post of my memories of her soon.

My life hasn't been all sadness. I'm in a new relationship with a person who has brought joy back in to my life. My daughter purchased my mother's house and has been busy renovating it. So the house is still in the family. My other daughter gave birth to a son in 2022 so I'm a grandpa now. He is almost two now and growing up fast. My son is still living in my former home and he's been renovating that too. He has a boat which I go out on occasionally. I purchased a new car this year. I had to give up having a standard transmission but I really like my new car.