Illinois Valley News

Recalling my Mom & Dad in last week“s issue was entertaining (for me, at least), and that has prompted me to tackle some recollections of my maternal Granny and aunties.

My Mom and her six sisters and one brother all were born in El Paso, Texas, right across the Rio Grande from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. When I was but a boy, sometimes one or two of my aunts with my Mom and I would walk from the family home to Downtown El Paso; take a trolley car to the border; then walk across the bridge to go shopping or eat. Or both.

They were fun times, even though I was only around the ages of 10 to 13. I recall that during our Texas visits, “street urchins,“ (my Dad“s term) hung around under the bridge with cardboard cones attached to sticks. They“d hold them up, and the idea was that pedestrians would toss coins for them to catch. Dad stayed in San Diego to work during our summer sojourns. Smart, as it“s much cooler there.

My Mom“s family brick home, up two flights of sparkly concrete stairs from a tall curb, cracked sidewalk and sizzling roadway, was at 1123 N. El Paso St. (Don“t ask how I remember the address, when I can“t even recall what I had for lunch yesterday). Oh, the downtown included a large park-like area with an open enclosure containing alligators. Never could figure out who came up with that idea. Occasionally, soldiers from nearby Fort Bliss, apparently returning from Juarez cantinas, would loose an alligator, causing consternation.

The aunties who lived at 1123 with Granny Vicky were Mary, Carrie and Flo. Mary and Carrie never married; Aunt Flo was divorced. All had jobs, although Carrie was the only one who stayed at the same place for many years. She worked at Hotel Dieu Hospital, demolished years ago.

Granny Vicky had a heart condition, and became bedridden after a time. She had a wonderful sense of humor, just like my Mom, who was named Valentina, and who never liked her full name, preferring “Val.“

Mary was famous for being late. At one point, no taxi company would come to 1123 because cabbies don“t like to wait for long, unpaid periods of time. Mary, a secretary, would phone for a ride while drinking her coffee (from a saucer), and before she had applied her makeup or dressed. So eventually she found herself having to walk to work. Which meant she had to get jobs fairly close.

Flo had some neat jobs, including one where damaged goods were processed. Often she would bring home interesting items for the house (or for a boy of around 13). Not to mention food that was still good, but in dented or torn containers. I liked that, especially the tamales.

Carrie was a steady worker, a receptionist who did her job and did it well. All three of my 1123 aunties bought me “stuff“ like ice cream and soft drinks. Or they“d slip me 50-cents or a quarter so I could buy plastic soldiers or model race cars. Most hot nights, and in El Paso all summer nights are hot — not as hot as the days, but close — we“d sit on the front porch overlooking the street. I“d guzzle ice cream floats while my Mom and “the girls“ enjoyed cans of Pearl beer.

Those are among my favorite childhood memories: spending part of each summer at 1123, enjoying the companionship and conversation. And those ice cream floats.

Other of my Mom“s sisters were Vera, Stella (Sister Grace Marie), and Frances. All fine folks, but they, like my Mom, didn“t stay at 1123. More about them, another time.

Although my aunties, Granny Vicky and Louie have died in body, their spirits live, and I do not feel that they“d mind my sharing some memories of them with you.

We want to hear from you!
Add your thoughts with the link below.

Comments returning soon!

Back to top of story