~~ Brooklyn New York~ East 3rd Street ~~
The wooden homes along our street had been standing far longer then I have lived. It is my belief that there was`nt a straight line of fancy anything in our neighborhood. We made wooden carts out of abandon baby carriages, decorated them with bottle caps.
These were our go carts,our source of entertainment. The traditional marble tounament along our street curbs always caused alot of excitemnet . , the winner walked aways with the marles of his or her choice.
There was Greenwood cemetary, the only green place in which we kids could play.It has rolling hills lined with gravestones and masoleums.There are three small lakes in this graveyard.There were carp and turtles who thrived in these bodies of water.They were fascianting to me and the only wildlife I had known for most of my childhood.
It was here that I first felt the presence of stone carving and stared into the monumets and well buillt tombs of wealthy people.
Our gang of neighboor boys would run though the cemetary drawing the attention of the guards who would give chase.
How well we knew these hills and hiding places,how we just roared with laughter in alluding the old gentlman who would just not know what to do with this bunch of Brooklyn Kids.
We always did out run this gentleman he knew he could never catch us although we never cared.
I still visit Greenwood Cemetary wondering where all my childhood pals have gone off, I`m still here guys.
~~Prospect~~
That is kind of bittersweet isn’t it Jerry? I wonder the same thing all the time “Where have you all gone Guys?”
Just remembering all the kids you hung around with, played stick ball out under the street lamp at the corner with til midnight, swam in their little blow up pools in the summer with, went trick or treating with, staying up all night to watch meteor showers with! Where on earth did they all go????
Jerry thank goodness for your writing it is bringing so many wonderful memories back to me!
NOW I am flashing back on making my first communion! Where did THAT come from? I am almost watching it like a movie in my mind. I see myself in my little suit and tie, so excited in a stage frighty sort of way. I can see all the little girls in their white dresses and white veils, looking for all the world like little Brides!
I can sense the nervousness in the nuns who even though this is not the first batch of kids they have prepared for the even and wont be the last, are so anxious for us to make everything just right!
Oh!!! ANd the reception after wards! I had people from all over the US fly in for my first communion! Things were SO much different then that they are now! NOW I wonder if ANYONE would bother to show up!
I remember all the presents and cash I got at the reception! Wonderful! And all kinds of statues, like St Theresa, St Francis of Assisi, Holy Cards, just all sorts of stuff! And then the dancing as the day became even MORE festive! We had the reception at my grandparents mansion on Prairie Avenue there in Chicago. and little did we know it, but that home would not stay in the family much longer as the whole neighbourhood was about to undergo a complete and radical change!
Oh my goodness Jerry thanks once again for telling us YOUR memories and sparking so many more of our OWN! Your blog is wonderful! Just keep reminiscing! I think it is so profoundly interesting! Thanks for this blog and thanks for being my friend man! I appreciate you incredibly!
Sean
Jerry,
Its so interesting how stone carving has followed you through out your life. Even Little Edie saw this in you when she called you the Marble Faun. I must read that book and hope this is not incorrect. I do believe its about a statue? I must read it. I think the reason why little Edie worried so much about you, was because of the love she deeply had for you. Big Edie saw all the wonderful things about you, and saw your soul in a different way. What a wonderful balance. I’m sure there were other wonderful lessons and joys in your life, that are just as needed as Grey Gardens. I know through all the challenging things in my life at the age of 44, I have come to embrace them all.
Love and Light
`Donna
My dear friend`
At the time I had not a clue on the read ~The Marble Faun~.
It is actually very rich as far as reading and interperting the work is difficult.
There are amazing similarites however that have been reflective to this day and day’s throughout my life.
You descrition of Mrs.Beale & Edie`s perception and concern is guite accurate.
Of one interseting fact in the read The Marble Faun is that one character was a sculptor!
Life is revealing itself to all who allow this light to enrich there lives.
Bravo!
yours
Jerry