Have you ever thought about all the things you hope you never forget? More than just things, people, memories, funny stories etc. I have been blessed to have a tremendous family, both immediate and extended. As I gotten older, I have grown more introspective. What I realized is that I don't want to forget certain memories. And it got me thinking about Aunt Elsie, or Mimi, as she was called in our home.
If it is okay, I thought I would share my thoughts and memories about Mimi. I think about her all the time. One of my favorite memories is when (I think we were heading to Brigantine) we were piled in Aunt Elsie's car and she pulled the car over to pick up a hitchhiker. Anyone remember that? She slowed the car, she told whoever was in the passenger side to hop in if they could find room. We didn't pick the guy up, because he knew Aunt Elsie was joking. He laughed, too.
I also remember (about five years ago) we went to the Ocean Drive one random Tuesday night and they had a Kareoke competition. No we didn't sing, but Aunt Elsie and I danced our faces off - we were the only two dancing. She had me giggling the whole time as she was trying to imitate my dance moves.
Anyway, if nothing else, I would appreciate it if you shared your favorite memories, or even the things that Aunt Elsie taught you. It wasn't until we were at the Country Club diner (looking for vanilla milkshakes) when Aunt Krysia shared the story about the time when she went with Aunt Elsie to the Sea Isle City's beach on hurricane like day with trash bags on... and learned how to fly.
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That "day at the beach" was hurricane Isabelle, and that was 2 days before my wedding, I will never forget that!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Matty, for doing this. What a wonderful way to keep her spirit alive.
My story is a more recent one, we were out shopping for a christening gown for Taryn, and there was a toy store next door, I wanted to get a slide for AJ. My mom didn't understand why it needed to be done right then and there, and why I couldn't just send Jim back out for it. The urgency was simply that I wanted to be a great mom and give my kids something fun to do.So we pay for it, the guy brings out this box which was a lot bigger than I expected, and we head out of the store. My mom didn't say anything as she grabbed a LOT of twine.While in the parking lot, we giggled, cursed and had our share of onlookers, trying to secure this enormous box to the roof. Frustrated ,yet determined I said to her,"you were in the girls scouts, what do you know about knots?" Without missing a beat she replied"I know this is something we should NOT be doing!" We both peed our pants, drove home very slowly, and held onto that box until our knuckles were white. I giggles as I write this.She was right,in hindsight I realize we should (k)not have done that!! God I miss her so much.Nina
Love it, Nina. Thanks for sharing. I was just thinking of another one. I had the please of working with Mimi at MCP. I worked on the floor (Surgical, CCU) as a unit clerk, and I would get a call from the ER -- the familiar voice - Hi baby, it's Mim! I have a patient coming to your floor... that was cool. And she would sometimes take me home from work, just chit chatting about life stuff. I loved her laugh, she especially got going when she laughed at herself. Once or twice, we drove together to Sea Isle after work. We were both so excited. She shared with me that she bought a bag of peanut M&Ms to pass the time on the 90 minute ride to the beach. She told me she would pop an M&M every mile marker and suck the chocolate off the peanut. And then she laughed... She was a piece of work...
ReplyDeleteMany good ones can be posted, but I will start with a funny one...
ReplyDeleteWe were down the shore for a Cuzfest the weekend Nina and Jim got engaged(2002) and my Mom knew I was a little anxious because I was bringing a new girlfriend around to meet my parents for the first time. And while I was at it, why not introduce her to the entire Maternal side of my family? Nothing like overwhelming this poor girl right out of the gates right?
Well my Mom could tell I was a little nervous about this meeting and asked me about it. I told her that I liked this girl and did not want to overwhelm her with some of the family's antics too soon. Mom said " If you like her, then thats all we will care about and you have nothing to be anxious about" So this meeting took place and all was going well, so much so that as it does, the porch became the main hang out area and everyone was having a blast. During one of the bathroom breaks our beer runs during the evening, I ran into Mom in the back apartment and we were walking back out to the front together, and I will remember this as long as I live--
D-"Well,what do you think?"
M-"She's beautiful,and such a sweet girl"
D-"I am glad this went so well, I was a little worried"
M-"Don't you know, we are you're family and we would never do anything to embarass you"
D-"I know, I just wanted it all to go as smooth as it did"
M-"I think its going great,and no one has done anything for you to be worried about"
And it was at this point when, as I held the door open for her and we rejoined everyone on the porch, she smiled at me as I went to rejoin this beautiful girl and the party.
And then Mom smiled at us,winked at me, and proceeded to pull a pantyhose over her head and start to sing karaoke on the loudspeaker for all to hear, and even had a few blow-up instruments to add to the performance!
Well, I cringed at first but then watched this new girl join in on the fun laughing and even singing a tune herself.
Then Mom walked over and she "fits right in..she's a keeper!"
Anyone reading this knows the rest of that story.....
Addendum to Dave's story... I knew she was a keeper when she stepped in dog poop the night we met her. It was so embarrassing for her and she handled it like a trooper!
ReplyDeleteI new she was a keeper when Dave started getting his eyebrows waxed more regularly... ha. Good story, D. I remember it well. We're going streaking!!!!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite memories with Aunt Els was the time she took me, Shae and Elizabeth to Cape May. I was probably about 9 or 10 at the time. Shae had her nose in "Who moved my cheese," the whole ferry ride. I remember thinking, I'll never read anything THAT intellectual! I remember it all too well.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, the ferry ride was one of those where you drive your car on, and you're charged for each passenger. Well, we got to the gate where you pay and I told Aunt Elsie, "let me climb in the trunk so we don't have to pay $5. I know I'll fit." Although money was never an issue to Aunt Els, she challenged to the task. That's what I think always clicked with me and her. We're both so free-spirited and kind of crazy. If I had to attribute that quality to anyone but Krysia, it'd be her.
So, Shae told me not to do it because we were literally next in line, but I did it anyways. I got some laughs from everyone in the car, except from myself. I got blank gunk all over my white shorts. I cried because I was 9 (anyone that knows me probably thinks I'd still cry to this day) and I didn't want to walk around in dirty clothes ALL. DAY. LONG.
Aunt Els, either out of the kindness of her heart, or to spare everyone else my complaining all day long, insisted that we head to Marshalls when we got to Cape May. I found the perfect replacement pair, and Aunt Els treated me to them. I think she may have even thrown in a cute little top to boot. She did that.
Aunt Els always knew how to make me feel special. Like I was the only person that mattered.
Well the day proceeded with the fanciest lunch I think I've still ever had to this day-- brie and grapes and tablecoths. We looked at all the pretty houses and walked along the water and on the cobblestone streets. We ate icecream and shopped in the little shops for trinkets and souveniers. I didn't need to buy anything. I was as happy as clam in my clean shorts.
Now looking back, I never thought I'd look so fondly on a situation that made me so uncomfortable at the time. I may not be able to fit in those "hoochie mama" shorts (as Aunt Els called them) anymore, or the trunk for that matter! But thank GOD I'll never grow out of memories like those.
Aunt Els is in my heart, but I think she's also enjoying the sun and breeze in Cape May. What a day to remember.
Thank you, Britt :).
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