A Chronicle, Too
Norma and Jack Spencer
Things I Still Remember
I was born into love – loving grandparents and parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. My maternal grandparents had a large family – nine living children 7 girls and 2 boys – who all offered the right things as I was growing up.
We went to my Grandmom and Grandpa’s house, who lived near us, some Sundays for dinner. My aunts all brought food and my uncles played games with us. I wonder how Grandmom did it, with all the noise and confusion and her age and Grandpa’s. There were sliced onions on her table with every meal and the onion and salt and pepper sandwiches, that I loved, when I got hungry.
My parents both worked. My paternal grandmother lived with us, plus my father’s young cousin and my father’s Aunt Mame. Bless my mother, she accepted it all. We were not well off, but I never knew that until later. Everyone I knew was in the same boat. Jobs were scarce in the North country, as all over the country was coming off a depression and a war.
Grandpa didn’t drive, he was a horse man. Grandmom drove to bring food and medicine. I never remember any trip or vacation for them. Their children were all very good to them. My uncles’ wives were much loved in the family. Mary and Myra were wonderful to to every one. My birthdays, Christmas, good school marks were made special by them with cakes, gifts, adventures, and just listening to my worries or troubles.
My oldest aunt, Marion and her husband Lou, I loved very much. When my father died Aunt Marion came. We never would have made without her. My mother sat silent, unable to move for almost one week, then she became my mother again. When my father was dying, I stayed with Aunt Marg and Uncle Gib. No matter what time I came home from the hospital, they both cooked a hot meal for me.
Aunt Eleanor, besides love, gave me many gifts, birthday, Christmas, but the biggest gift was Uncle Morris. He was always there to help even before Mom could ask. I liked to cook with Uncle Morris at the holidays that he and Aunt Eleanor shared with us.
Bea and Fran, I almost lived at their house for three years. Always welcome and always fun and always helpful.
Aunt Harriet was always helping out, my 16th birthday, my wedding. Harriet was part of all preparations, despite living in the Valley.
Ed and Myra I remember so well. Whenever my Mother went on a trip. Uncle Ed and Aunt Myra were there with extra money. Uncle Ed and Aunt Monica bought my first desk. Uncle Ed , Aunt Monica and Aunt Eleanor always got me books, which I loved and gave to my grandchildren. They still have many of them.
Uncle Maurice and Aunt Mary made my summers special. They had a camp in Grant, NY. I loved them both. Mary for showing me structure and the way I wanted to live my life and bring up my children. They were like all my aunts and uncles, honest, loving people. They were role models in my life. I love them all and had special connections with each of them.
This project opened a world of memories. I am grateful. I wouldn’t change a thing in my life.
Kay
I was always told by my mother that I would have a girl. When I was finally blessed with one in 2005, she was named Lily Fae Spencer. Fae after my mother’s middle name.
James Mark Spencer