Michael Breslin
Cousin Paul and I grow up together in Irvington and Warren as brothers raised by Granny,.because are independent mothers worked. We both lived in two.family houses and I would go to Paul's house on 21st Street where Ganny and Grandpa lived with Paul's parents, Auntie and Uncle Joe. Granny took us all over Irvington and Newark. Also on bus trips. We were always on the bus around town and on what my farther called in secret Old Lady Club trips. Later once we took a bus by ourselves to Olympic Park were the family used to gather in the beer garden, but it had changed and we never did it again. Gangs had taken over the pool.
We would go to Evergreen where Ganny's parents are buried and help her tend the grave. I went back years ago to find the grave but got chased off by wild dogs.. Paul and I would go out alone and play in the small yard, street, and Grove Street School. When I go back now I cannot believe how small the house is and the school is still being used.
There was a benefit to city life and that was country escape to Warren and the farm on Ferguson Road, much latter Granny married the farmer.. Granny and husband Carl Aab rented a shack in a little German community near other relatives and Germans. Paul and I shared a bed and listened ro radio dramas to put us to sleep, after the lord's pray of course. GANG BUSTERS from the FBI. In1949 my parents bought land on Ridge Road and build a one room house to add on to later. Years later Paul's parents bought a little estate across from the shack, and built a house..
Since I was older I did not share like I should have. I remember we had toy trucks we pushed around the kitchen. I told Paul since I was older he could have one truck and I the rest to help him out, sorry Paul. We used to march around the kitchen table to Don McNell's breakfast club from Chicago when he told us it was time. Also we listen to Arthur Godfrey. When we were bad the broom would come out and we would run in the small apartment and get under the bed. We would also run when Carl Aab showed up.
Family dinners in the apartment on 21 Street, our apartment too small, were cramped also but the food was great and the manners meaningful. We could not talk at the table, learned how to use napkin rings, where to put the napkin, and where spoons and forks, etc. were place. We had to ask to be excused when finished. The dinning room had Uncle Joe's leather chair in the corner. He would read their with books and magazines. I guess Paul and I picked up are reading habits there
The Warren house on summer weekends became a night time gathering place. Food drink and fire pit. Extended German family and neighbors, German spoken here. We would go to the Jewish Deerwood Swim club through the farm on special permission. A nice summer. Also we had baby sitting duties for new arrival Karen.
Granny did not need to watch us anymore and the dinners and parties happened less often. We were not together in school, I with Debbie's brother (a great person) nor had the same activities. I had a car and in senior year with a friend played hooky. Paul was waiting for the bus and I tried to get him to join, he refused. Maybe that is why I went to a local college and he went to the Ivy League. I worked after graduation and he had two years left of high school. Paul went out of state. I was in the wedding and remember it and the after party well. Granny died, Auntie died, Uncle Joe next, and now Paul. . .
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Thank you Debbie for over the years keeping in touch, and thank you Karen for keeping in touch with Aunt Ruth.
I have not proof read this memory because I just do not want to..
