Aunt Ethel was extremely old when she passed away back in 1973. She was 73. Well, that's how I thought of her then because I was like 25 at the time.
Aunt Ethel came to the USA in 1913. My grandfather had built a home on the same plot of land my home is now on... and there he and my grandmother raised their family. Several Italian families came to my home town around then and most of them related to us or would be soon by marriage.
What I'm getting at is: There wasn't a big need for her to learn English... but she did, she just never got it quite right. As time progressed she began mixing languages - so when I spoke with Aunt Ethel half of what she said was in Italian and the other half in English. And no, I don't mean like one sentence in Italian and the next in English I mean closer to every other word. It was a tough conversation to follow.
Aunt Ethel read the Natl. Enquirer religiously, accepting every word printed... no matter how far-fetched... meaning yes, when the story came out about half human half Alien discovered living in Los Angeles Aunt Ethel was all in. Her husband, kids, nieces and nephews, did their best to convince Aunt Ethel that these stories were 'stupid'; and Aunt Ethel, being naturally meek, kind, forgiving, tried to believe no Aliens lived in LA BUT... it WAS in print.... and when the next issue of the National Enquirer came out with the headline about the Pope being an Alien himself Aunt Ethel was all in once again. Aunt Ethel being Catholic did ask her local Priest if the story was true.... and was told no, but again.. if WAS in print and how could our local Priest know anyway?
And all the while, over her many years, she continued to love and cherish all... and fed anyone that came in contact with her with what I think was the best Italian food anyone ever cooked. Aliens were at the door step but by God you still had to have dinner.
I miss Aunt Ethel, and sad to say I also miss a few dinners these days. - JamesJM
