Reflections
on Beano - submitted by her daughters
My
three sisters and I are on the beach in
Ocean City
,
Maryland
, talking about our mother and what we would like to say about her for the
upcoming Granados website. She died on
March 31, 1978
, over 25 years ago, but the four of us share some memories that are as
vivid as if they happened yesterday.
We
remember the holidays, because she made them so special for us. She must
have worked for weeks before Christmas and for hours after we went to bed
on Christmas Eve to create the dream world we woke up to on Christmas
morning. Money was tight but you would never know it (we sure didn't).
Each year she would make new wardrobes for our dolls. They were of the
finest fabrics and the latest styles and the envy of all our friends. One
year, when Grace decided to give her Toni doll a drastic haircut, Mom
creatively disguised it by sewing a nun's habit for it. It was identical
to the habits worn by the Sisters of the Holy Cross and everyone at St.
Hugh's Elementary School wanted one just like it.
Easter
was another special time, thanks to Mom. She would make each of us a new
dress for Easter services and we wore them with white gloves and
mantillas. She would make homemade butter creams, chocolate eggs and flaky
butter pastries. She knew Margaret did not like chocolate so her Easter
basket held licorice and pepperoni.
We
all remember how much Mom loved being around her brothers and sisters. We
remember going shopping at
Prince George
's Plaza but spending most of the time at the Hecht's hosiery department.
That was where Aunt Clara worked and the two of them would talk and laugh
for what seemed to us like hours.
Mom
spent some of her time volunteering for the Ladies Auxiliary of the
Greenbelt
Fire and Rescue. They had a picnic at a beach on the
Chesapeake
every year and Mom would enjoy being with her friends, picking and eating
crabs. It was the only time we remember that she did not share with us.
When
Maryland
crabs were on the table, it was every man (or girl) for himself.
She
didn't really talk much about her childhood but we're lucky to have found
her scrapbooks. When we look at them, we see a young girl who was
athletic, always smiling, and who loved her family and friends. We see
that young girl develop into a stylish and fun-loving young woman and then
a beautiful bride and young mother. She always loved being near the water
and, in spirit; she is here with us right now.
|