My great aunt Bobbie (my mother's aunt) was quite a character.
When I was growing up, she would come to visit us a couple of times each year. And during every visit, she would give me a Tonette, an old Toni home permanent for little girls. And for the next six months, I would look like I stuck my little finger into a light socket. And by the time the frizz finally started to relax, she'd show up again. And BZZZZZZ! More frizz.
She bought me my first flute and took me to my first concert at Carnegie Hall.
Once when I was sixteen, we were walking down a street and a kid about my age passed us. And, as she patted her hair, Aunt Bobbie asked, "Did you see how that young man looked at me?" Yeah, she was pretty glamorous for an old lady, but I think the guy was actually looking at, um, me.
She died during the late 1960's, and she willed me one of her prize possessions - four full place settings of her Haviland China - the Springtime pattern, white with a flowered pattern around the edge and in the center. But there was a catch. It was to be her wedding present to me, to remain in my mother's custody until I got married.
As I entered my late 30's, my mother was starting to wonder if she shouldn't just give me the stuff. Then I surprised everyone by finally tying the knot.
So I got the china, but I was afraid to use it! It was so old and fragile. What if I broke a piece? I'd feel awful.
Then something magical happened. I discovered E-Bay, and before long I had twelve full place settings. More important, I knew that if I ever broke a piece, I could go to EBay.com to replace it!
So one of the fun things about Thanksgiving is that, first, there will be enough place settings for everyone. And two, I'm not freaking out worrying that somebody will drink too much wine and break a piece!
So thank you, Aunt Bobbie! I think our Thanksgiving turkey tasted better on your pretty plates.
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