What’s Your Most Vivid Memory of Avery Street
Mine would have to be going to grandma’s house on Sundays after church and the incredible smells in the kitchen of sauce cooking, some local radio station playing only Italian music, the chatter and Aunt Antoinette always pinching my face cheeks! Life was pretty simple but then again we did only have three television stations so this was the next best thing in entertainment!
I feel especially blessed this Christmas with thoughts of the love I received from the Tomasso Extended-Family of my childhood and youth, except that they did not seem to be “extended” Family at all. These are some of the memories that come to mind:
When I was a child, Aunt Frances trying to give me a $5 bill, without my mother seeing and protesting…
Aunt Marion sending me the dishes that I currently use for my daily meals, and prodding me when my life felt “stuck”. I remember her fall from a horse after she decided to take up horseback riding. I also remember driving her (in formal gown) to USO dances in Rochester during World War Two. Shortly before her death, I remember sharing pizza with her and Joe Tomasso at the nursing home where she died.
Aunt Tina offering to drive me somewhere so that she could try to talk me out of entering the Convent
Aunt Mickey taking me, as a small child, to the box factory where she worked. I behaved like a brat. I remember her epileptic seizures, especially on the boat trip to Coburg.
Uncle Angelo coming to help me unlock my car doors, when I had locked myself out far down Lyell Avenue. I remember when he was in the Army during World War Two and the family angst about him.
Uncle Louie, in many ways the Silent Leader of the family, including us in his printing press business in Grandma’s cellar. I recall sitting around Grandma’s kitchen table, helping with envelopes, etc., for his jobs.
Last but not least, Aunt Antoinette who faithfully sent greeting cards for whatever occasion, and gave me a book on How to Live Alone and Enjoy It (not the title exactly, but the book greatly influenced my life to this day)
In addition, these are a few memories I have of those who became “aunts and uncles” through marriage:
Aunt Margaret, standing in her yard on Kestrel Street at a family get-together, saying after some current political-event discussion that she was so glad she wouldn’t be around to witness the Future…
Aunt Sue (we were riding in a car) telling me that she once (probably not more often than that) thought about entering the Convent and, then or shortly after, asking me to be Susi’s Godmother.
The excited “buzz” at Grandma’s when we all knew that Uncle Charlie was coming to ask Grandma’s “permission” to marry Aunt Marion. I was allowed to be present for the entire event.
My fondest memories of Avery St. we’re not only the holidays but simple things. There are vivid pictures of Grandma standing at the stove or in the little alcove at the kitchen sink. Later memories of her just sitting at the kitchen table and smiling at everyone because she could not communicate well any longer. I always enjoyed sitting on the front porch or running up and down the hill in the driveway and front yard. I remember the “Aunt’s” giving me my first alcoholic drink 7&7. I was 14 years old. Going to Jefferson High School with my sisters and cousins so Aunt Tina’s students could practice their hair cutting, permanent setting and manicure skills on us. Above all there was love surrounding the family even through hard times and disagreements.