"Bert's Sister, Evelyn & Bert", collage, old photo & digital |
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I really loved Bert, all of my life & still.
I was an only child, and only around adults.
Bert was special, a fun grown-up!
Married to Bea, they were the Ken & Barbie of their day.
Bea & Bert |
Bea was beautiful & my Dad's cousin from Indiana.
All had moved to SoCal about the same time.
Bea & me age2 |
Bert had been a Marine & had colorful language.
I remember the adults chastising him about it,
and I think he tried, but it was ingrained.
Bert would take me with on errands, even to a ball game.
me age 5 & Bert |
I would have gone to the moon with him, anytime.
Once my Mom was driving down Sunset Boulevard,
I at four, was perched on the front seat, no seat belts then.
I remember her making a U-turn and I casually asked ...
"where in the hell are you going Mother?".
I do remember her pulling to the curb & running into a store.
Later I found out that she was in hysterics but didn't want
me to think that what I had said was funny.
And later I do remember Bert had a jar where he put money
when his language was improper. I think they called it a cuss jar.
I remember it, it had change & bills in it.
Bert gave me a discarded baseball from one of the games.
He wrote Bert + Jacki on it.
I treasured that worn out ball with the faded writing forever.
I took it with me to boarding school at age 8,
later to Australia, later on high school & college.
Some would ask who Bert was, I would smile & say "special."
. . .
Bert was a graduate of Wabash University, a mechanical engineer.
Bert (center) & crew at the brickyard |
He returned to Indianapolis 500 several years as pit crew chief.
A beloved auto mechanics teacher at a LA high school for years,
he would take his boys to national auto competitions for Ford.
1984 |
Bea & Bert were a special part of young WW's life too.
They've been gone a long time now ... but I miss them still.
So grateful, great memories last a long time.
A smile for Tuesday ...
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