I dragged out an old blog post and amended it a little. The memories are just as sweet.
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For those of you who may not know, I am originally from South Philly. We moved to Southwest when I was about five, and moved back to South Philly when I was 16. But for every year, no matter where we lived, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day were very special.
On New Years Eve, my grandmother Angela (Dad's mother) always had a big open house party. She lived (for most of those years) on 1121 Tasker St. All her sisters and brothers, nieces and nephews would come. There was LOTS and lots of food, drink and laughter. My grandmother, in those years, was a wonderful, vibrant and fun woman. And her talent.... well, she was a commercial artist, a dressmaker and an interior designer. I can't draw a straight line, and can't sew a button. All I got was her temper! But that's another story for another time. Those New Years Eve parties were enjoyed for many years, until I guess she got tired of them. When she moved to 12th St in 1966 they ended.
But another tradition lived on for many MORE years... On New Year's Day, there was this little parade on Broad Street... Of course, the Mummers. When I was little, I thought it was called Mummer's Day because that's what I always heard. I thought everyone in the world came to it, and thought that every city had one. Only later did I learn that the Mummers are distinctly and only Philadelphia. I love my city (even though it's changed and I don't live there anymore!)
My dad's uncles, Ralph and Paris, would get their prime spot on Broad St. directly across from the St. Agnes Hospital. They always brought a ladder, and the nieces and nephews always had a prime viewing spot. And Dad always had a thermos full of "special" coffee... spiked! I remember him letting us sip it when we got too cold.
When it would get unbearably cold, we would walk back to Grandmom Rucci's house on Iseminger St., where you were sure to get laughs, and hot chocolate and cookies. Then when you were warm, you would go back out to Broad Street in time for the String Bands. Then you would go back to Grandmom's where there would be food, laughs, fun, card games and (mostly friendly) arguments! Great times.
This went on for most of my youth, up till I was in my late teens. The memories are burned into my mind, and they are sweet memories of a family long gone. The only of my grandmother's siblings still alive is Aunt Cheta... she is in her 90s and looks fabulous. The Ruccis always held their age remarkably well.
Since those days ended, we had many other New Years Eve parties, some at Mom's house (one of which lasted three days because the parade was canceled!) and some we celebrated with the Archer Epler drum corps brothers and sisters. All good times.
Maybe its a sign of age that New Years Eve and New Years Day are now just days to me. I prefer to stay in now, and prefer to not travel far even on New Years Day. I'm happy to stay here, warm and comfy, after an early dinner with some close friends. And I'm happy to see in the New Year quietly, and stay home and watch the parade without having to trek a couple of blocks to get warm.
I prefer to let those memories flow and keep me warm. I truly value the family I have, the friends I've made, and the traditions that once graced our lives.
Make yourself some good memories. Even though Grandmom Rucci, most of the aunts and uncles, and Dad are gone, they live in our hearts, and most of all, in our smiles.
May 2020 year be a good one for all of you. And may it NOT take you till May to write "2020" instead of 2019. HA!
Happy, Healthy New Year, everyone. Be safe, and make sure you tell your family and friends you LOVE THEM. Say it, Mean it, Show it! Good night. <3 I love you all.
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