Memories 2006

“Red Rover, Red Rover, Please send Mary Over”

One of the wonderful chants in Davenport Hollow in the summer of ’55. I always wanted to keep up with the older kids in the neighborhood, which basically consisted of the cousins. I thought everyone lived in an area with all of their family within shouting distance. We filled our days with games from Red Rover, to Mother (May I), to Simon Says, to charades, go fish and the list goes on. What a privilege to grow up with such a union with your relatives. I learned a lot from the gang, especially because I was the youngest in the group.

There are so many little flashes that past through my memory bank. They are so important to me and I want to share a few with you.

Starting with the cousins:

There was the eldest, Marguerite. She always had a very strong laugh that echoed across the fence. No wonder she had so many boys knocking on her door. If she was not traveling, she was toting a tennis racquet and off to the courts. Because of our age difference, I would always fantasize Marguerite as the next thing to royalty (maybe she is).

Lucy was the big sister to Mary. That is how I placed her. Her picture was constantly in the paper. The scare came when she had the horrible riding accident and we all feared the worse. Aunt Alice made sure that we were very quiet so that Lucy could sleep late after a night of dancing. I remember the day we were informed that Lucy stayed out until 5 a.m. She had to rest up and start the cycle again.

Byrdie was the big brother of Mary. He was always teamed up with Sidney and they would fly by in the big black Buick. When we had ball games in our back yard, I always wanted to be on Byrdie’s team. Unfortunately, one day I was on the opposing team and when I was the catcher, Byrdie slung the bat and whacked me in the head. Maybe, that is why I am so tough!! Mary, oh Mary, we will come back to Mary.

Up on the hill, standing next to Grandmother’s was the other house on the hill. Martie lived there and she was no longer a part of the “rough and tumble” crowd when I was old enough to participate. She was the beautiful, brilliant, musical diva and I was in awe. When Freddie Reed came to town, I always figured out a way to visit Brad so that I could flirt with him. Brad is exactly 10 months older than I am and I always thought that it was an omen that we both shared the 19th as a birth date. I was sure that he had his sites on becoming a minister. I questioned my Mother concerning the possibilities of the legality of marrying my first cousin and I was heartbroken when she said that I could not. We used to sit on our bicycles at the end of his driveway for hours and discuss subjects that seemed so important at the time. Brad and I were great playmates as preadolescents and that friendship continues until today, as we are still close neighbors.

We always looked forward to the visits from the Louisville cousins. I could not understand how anyone, under any circumstances, would choose to leave Richmond, especially Davenport Hollow. Stuart was my age and we had such fun in the summer chasing lightning bugs and going to Ollies for cherry cokes. I was always sad when the trip came to a close and the station wagon loaded up and went back across the mountains.

And now back to Mary. Mary was always on my mind. From the time that I was a toddler, I always wanted to follow Mary around. If she wore white shorts, I wanted to wear white shorts. If she wanted to play tennis, I wanted to play tennis. If she wanted peanut butter, I wanted peanut butter. If she cut her hair, I would cut my hair. We would sit on her porch in the summer playing cards and reading comic books. There was an old playhouse behind the chicken coop (now the location of my house). There were picnics, cowboys and Indians games and our rendition of talent shows. In our teenage years, the most important time we shared was our times as captain of the White team at St. Catherine’s. I think that was a real highlight of my high school days.

Because my brothers were older than I was, I became the brat in the household. I was always the victim of extreme teasing and I left the dinner table in tears many a night. Huntley wanted me to concentrate on my competitive swimming which was not as important to me as he would have wanted. Thank heavens my Mother protected me from his persistence. Sidney always seemed to be having a great time, there were lots of friends around and my Mother adored all of the boys. I am so glad that we have become wonderful friends in our adulthood.

Aunt Edna and Uncle John lived next door. They often shared cocktail hour with my parents. I can remember where each one of them would sit in our living room. My Mother and Aunt Edna were always talking over the fence. Aunt Edna always wanted clean sheets everyday and she loved to give “I love you” presents throughout the year instead of the traditional Christmas gifts. Uncle John was the big shot lawyer at Mays, Valentine, Davenport and Moore. I remember when he was involved with a political campaign (I think for Eisenhower) and he was on the stage with him at Byrd Airport. That made a huge impression on me. I was unaware of all of the other great things that he accomplished.

Aunt Alice and Uncle Byrd lived in the big white house at the end of Davenport Hollow. My Mother and Aunt Alice would sit on the front porch with their skirts hiked up, soaking up the sun and eating their tuna fish sandwiches. Aunt Alice was my godmother and she gave me the most beautiful gifts. Uncle Byrd could fix anything and he had a garage full of tools. At least once a week, someone would borrow a tool and forget to return it. There was an echo throughout the neighborhood when Aunt Alice would call “Byrd!” when it was time to come in for lunch. Alma was a part of the family and she took care of me many an afternoon. She always was at the sink or kitchen table and she probably knew what was going on in the Hollow as much as anyone.

Aunt Martha and Uncle Warwick were the youngsters. They lived with Grandmother while they built their house and I thought that it was such a mansion, sitting up on the hill. Aunt Martha was a worker, on so many committees and a real gardener, no matter what the weather. Uncle Warwick worked more than any of the Davenports so my memory of him was dim (except when I would get in trouble and my Dad would consult with him).

Aunt Susan and Uncle Stephen were the relatives that moved to Kentucky. I was proud of the fact that I had a minister for an uncle. They always drove cars that made me think that they would not make it back home. Grandmother was most unusual. I remember watching her drive down the middle of St. Andrew’s Lane in her huge gray car scaring everyone in her path. She was the best witch at Halloween. She would hide in the bushes and hoo and boo when we would come to Tricker Treat. It was frightening to walk up to the almost completely dark house to grab candy and run. There were so many wonderful games played in the yard but you had to watch out for snakes and Woodrow (the yard man). I spent one New Year’s Eve with Grandmother and she bought coffee ice cream from the Clover Room. I was so disappointed because that was a flavor for adults, not kids. Grandmother would take the most wonderful trips with Mrs. Cary. I saw a picture of her on a donkey in the Holy Land. I thought that everyone got to go on these special trips when they reached a certain age. She would come for Sunday lunch (a rotation around the neighborhood) and we would have to sit at the table for half of the afternoon. Mother went to so much trouble with the preparations.

Life at 6132 was very special, growing up with two wonderful brothers and parents that came from very close families gave me a great appreciation and love for family. I could go on forever. It has been fun to share some thoughts that popped into my mind. Have a wonderful weekend!!