I Am A Niece - Celebrating Aunt Mary

My dad was the middle child of Harriet and Joseph Rinaldi, born and raised at 627 Franklin Ave. in Kent, Ohio.  Ivo Olimpio (aka Bing) was his older brother and Mary Louise was his little sister. 

Bing, Mary and Archie Rinaldi ~1923

These three children grew up, married and settle down to raise their families in Kent, living almost a stone's throw from each other.  Of course, they gathered together for family events and needs like birthdays, holidays and illnesses and the gathering was usually at...627 Franklin Ave.  I hold many memories of the "homestead" playing in the side yard, swinging on the porch, running up and down the stairs chasing and being chased by cousins, making gnocchi on the big wooden pasta board in the kitchen, picking Italian plums from the big tree. 

627 Franklin Ave.

In midst of all this activity was Aunt Mary.  When Aunt Mary married Uncle Johnny (Steinert), they began their married life living with Grandma at...627 Franklin Ave. and there they stayed raising 5 children and caring for Grandma in her later years.
So, this house was my destination last week as Jay and I ventured across the 3000 miles separating Playa del Rey from Kent to participate in Aunt Mary's 90th birthday celebration.

Everyone should be so lucky as to have an Aunt Mary...to have an aunt that seems to see only the good and the fun in everything.  Close my eyes and I can see her eyes crinkle up and I can hear her laughter. 

Close my eyes and I can see her eyes get big as saucers and hear her voice exclaim..."Golly Neds, kiddo, I didn't know that!" No one can recount an story like Aunt Mary.  Settle in for the detailed rendition of what he said and what she did, transporting herself and you back to that time in history for the full experience.  Her life has not been a bed of roses.  She has had her share of sadness, like losing her Johnny too soon in 1978, but she picks herself up and carries on.  Humor, teasing and practical jokes spice up her life and bind her to her children and friends.  She enters into life with her whole being!  Everyone knows she is a diehard fan of the Kent State University basketball team, the Golden Flashes...so much so that when she was recently in a rehab center recovering from an illness, the family set up the TV and surrounded her with all her logo gear to cheer on her team literally turning her room into a stadium! 

Aunt Mary is a people person, attracting friends like bees to honey...and I marveled at the day of the party as I saw over 196 people surround her, each representing a thread in the tapestry of her life...relatives from Cleveland and Neff, friends from her childhood, co-workers from the University Book store, women friends from her various organizations and social groups, neighbors from over the years and her much-loved family.

The entire Steinert family!

Aunt Mary with all her great-grandchildren

As for me, when I see myself through Aunt Mary's eyes, I only see good.  I feel her love and know in my heart that no matter what my flaws or my mistakes, they are unimportant in the grand scheme of things.  I am basically good and I am loved.  

This is the gift that Aunt Mary gives to everyone. It is the reminder that life may present difficulties, you may have worries, you may not always get what you want, but the most important thing is to always see the good and enjoy the presence of all that surrounds you, the gift of the people that love you and that you love.  And more than anything else...laugh!  Everyone should be so lucky as to have an Aunt Mary.

Happy birthday, Aunt Mary....I love you!