Rosemary Rener Smith
Cathy, Mrs. Mc., Aunt Lena, There always a name appropriate for whatever situation that existed. Like what are we going to be today. I love you so much Aunt Lena for teaching me how to laugh at the most serious times in my life. I hope I take that with me every where I go. My memories of you go back to Storkland on Travis St. You would pick me up and bring me there to play with Donnie. For me it was fun and I don't remember any chores only fun and excitement and laughter. I remember being a homely child who was very shy and afraid of displeasing adults especially my father John Rener. You decided it was time for me to get a new updated hairstyle. You took me to your hairstylist and had her cut my pigtails. The problem was you didn't ask permission. When I got home I was already to show off my new do. However John my father was not so pleased that you made that decision without consulting he or my mother. I'm sure you said "oh well". I did really need that long hair cut because I remember my hair was very coarse and thick and would be a mess trying to get the tangles out. Thank you for making food fun to eat. I remember Donnie being a picky eater (like most kids his age). You would make pancakes and to get Donnie to eat them you'd make them animals. You'd say "here's a bunny or a bear or a duck". I think you may have known Donnie's special love of animals and used this a lure. I remember that little kitchen on Travis St. Just like most Italians the home and business were in the same place. I loved it when Uncle Donald brought in all that shrimp and we had peel and eat shrimp. It was so good and so much fun. You spread newspaper on the little bitty table and the 4 of us ate and ate. I sure there was a lot of laughter. I'm sure Donnie gave a very graphic description of what he was doing to those shrimp as he peeled away the shells. The more I giggled the more graphic he got. I know Uncle Donald was adding his descriptions also. I could go on and on and on. Thanks for being my confidant in adulthood. The 2 hour phone conversations always ended in laughter. I will really miss you. Your loving niece, Rosemary Smith Daughter of John and Josie(sister) Pasqua Rener