Reya. R – E – Y – A, also known as Mom, Mrs. Mobbs, Aurelia, Mary Aurelia, Lee, Meme
I was waiting for a collect call from Dorothy Hall to let me know Aurelia had arrived at her destination safely. Then I remembered Faith.
So energetic.
So much energy.
She never said no. She always seemed to manage to fit everything in somehow.
I felt a bond with Aurelia. I don’t remember not feeling it. It changed as
she changed and I changed but it was strong.
I always said I knew Aurelia loved me very much. I was aware of a characteristic she shared with my dad, a directness about communication. I knew they both loved me very much because they damn well sure would tell me if they didn’t.
Eastern Youth Passes.
Two sisters close enough to trust the other with their children for hours, days, months and years.
Aurelia hid Reese cups in the secret compartment of the secretary in the living
room. I think the desk is at Alice’s house now. Hershey’s with Almonds
too.
In the kitchen – Nestlé’s Quick, corner kitchen cabinets and a refrigerator
with a button to push that would open the door. There was a pool table in the sun room. There were radios in almost every room.
Most family’s have a family doctor or family accountant… we have a family
body repair man – “don’t worry.”
Snow tires for Christmas. For my birthday a box filled with individual containers of Chile and Vegetable soup for me to take to work so I would eat right and save money.
Going to the officers club for free hors d’oeuvres at happy hour after shopping at the PX to get bargains for the whole world.
There was a closet off the kitchen that contained cartons of cigarettes. Specific brands for all the smokers she knew. I don’t think they paid her for them. I think she just purchased them because the price was so good and why should friends and family be paying so much more.
Clean up the back stairway.
Work on the third floor.
Work on the basement.
Clean out the garage.
Vacuum. Vacuum. Vacuum.
Babysitting gigs and dog sitting jobs. Handing out flyers and catering parties
for Epsilon. Aurelia was all about finding a place for me in the work force. She encouraged me and provided a school loan for me to attend what seemed to possibly be a silly course in Harvard Square to become a travel agent. All I knew is that I was working at whatever job I could to buy airline tickets and so she thought my idea of getting the training that would lead to free airline tickets was something to pursue. It worked out pretty well. We talked often about my work over the years. She was always interested about the company I was working for and would listen to me go on about customer service. She made me feel so proud about what I do.
Fast cars
Boiled ham from the Purity Supreme
Nectarines and plums
Scali bread
Mayonnaise
Fried dough
English muffins
Corn toasties
Parking on the ramp off I93 in Boston to bring home crates of asparagus or strawberries or cantaloupes purchased at record low prices late Saturday afternoon when Haymarket is about to close down.
How many miles along the eastern seaboard has the whole family traveled to spend time together?
Aurelia said to me: “We had a good time didn’t we darling?”
She taught me how to fold towels and to always change the lint filter – that it
was important.
She taught me that I want to be like her. I’ve been told that when those we
love pass on we have an opportunity to become more like them. During the last month of her life in Andover I thought about that a lot and when I’d sit with her I let her know I will be okay and I will always feel her love in my heart.
Keep your eyes open to see Aurelia multiplied by all those who loved her and have the opportunity to share her Aurelianess with the world.
