Kim in Baltimore counting down the days to summer.
I am a shy person. Stop laughing, it’s true. I was extremely bashful as a child especially around men. Until I was in the first grade the only men I ever spoke to was my dad, my Pop-Pop, and my Uncle Charles. When my other uncles or neighborhood men came around I would hide behind Pop-Pop until they went away.
Dad was a man of few words, but enjoyed sharing stories… and photos … of the crimes he helped to solve. He wasn’t a fan of parties or crowded amusement parks and was never really eager to take us to those places. However, he did like to play cards and games especially checkers. Dad worked shift work as a foot patrolman until I entered Kindergarten. It seemed to me we saw less of him when he went on day work than we did when he worked nights.
Pop-Pop worked nights in the warehouse for Pantry Pride. In the morning he would come home and eat breakfast with me then walk me to school. He was my best friend and always willing to go to the movies or the park, or walk to Miss Edna’s store to buy snowballs.
Uncle Charles was my Aunt Betty’s husband and my favorite uncle by far. He was funny and handsome and knew how to do just about anything. He and Auntie came to our house every Saturday afternoon for late lunch after we’d all been shopping at the Cross Street Market. Uncle Charles had a great sense of humor and some memorable lines. When asked about his mother-in-law’s cooking, Uncle Charles exclaimed, “It’ll stick to your ribs… and to the wall if you throw it.” His mother-in-law, my great Aunt Mildred, was not amused.
These three men helped to mold my early life and were protective of me. I knew I could trust and always count on them. I thought I would never need another man in my life… until the day my mom forgot school was closing early. I was a first grader at Holy Cross School and still hadn’t worked myself up to speak to anyone in my class.
Sister Mary Something dismissed us and I wandered outside to discover no one waiting. Neither Mom nor Pop-Pop was outside leaning against the church railing at our meeting spot. I stood and watched as the other children went home. It was the day I decided nuns were scarier than men.
Instead of going back in the school, I walked to the end of the block where the Buchman Brothers had their men’s clothing store. It was the only place Dad shopped. The four Buchman brothers were surprised to see me alone in their shop. I gathered my courage and told them I couldn’t find my mother. They immediately sprang into action. After I was given a Coke – a Coke and it wasn’t even Sunday! – one of the brothers found our number and was about to call when a man walked in.
“Problem solved,” said one of the brothers. I sipped from my Coke. “Here’s your cousin Fran. He can run you home.” All the brothers looked pleased they had solved the problem.
Fran? I didn’t know any man named Fran. It had taken every last nerve I had to speak to these men whom I’d known all my life and saw nearly every Saturday morning. “No,” I finally said. “I’m not allowed to talk to strangers.”
They patted me on the head and told me what a smart girl I was and called my mother. She came full of apologies for being late and I even scored a second Coke. Later that evening my new-found cousin Fran {who was married to my cousin Nancy Norton} came by our house. He wanted to make sure we were properly introduced . By the time I was in second grade I was plotting how to get more soft drinks out of the Buchman Brothers. But that’s a story for another day.
So, in this month when we honor our dads and all the special men in our lives, I remember these wonderful, honorable men who I was fortunate enough to have in my life. I hope each of you have been as fortunate.
Dear Reader, Have you ever had a fear you needed to conquer? Do you have a special dad, grandfather, uncle in your life? Please share your story with me.